From Waiting to Belonging

Right now, more than 1,000 children and adults across Victoria are waiting for connection, confidence, and the chance to truly belong.

Waiting Hurts

Imagine watching your child struggle to find activities where they fit in. Where they feel safe. Where they’re truly welcomed.

For families across Victoria, that struggle is real. And when they finally discover RDA Victoria is a place where their child lights up, where they experience genuine belonging, they’re told there’s a wait.

2 to 3 years.

That’s how long most families wait. Two to three years of missed opportunities for confidence, connection, and joy.

1000 +
people on our waitlist

2-3 years
average wait time

Every week
more people join the waitlist

33 centres
across Victoria, most at capacity

These are the people waiting

Miles

“Miles is non-verbal autistic. You cannot guarantee he will ‘participate’ in anything… until the day last year he got onto a horse.

He morphed into a complete little equestrian! He has an utterly natural seat, is so relaxed and happy up there, and just loves the horses.

We have a saddle at the front door that Miles likes to sit on when he’s missing his horses. He has been taking me to the saddle for weeks that is his communicating ‘when are we going to the horses again?’

It breaks my heart that we can’t find a place.

Miles has been waiting over a year.”

Eleanora Joint, Miles’s mother

Jade

“Growing up, I connected deeply with horses and loved riding. In 2023, at 23 years old, I went into Septic Shock and required the amputation of both my feet.

This completely changed my life, and I want to return to riding to find that connection and purpose I felt around horses as a child.

I contacted RDA because I know RDA would support me with the accommodations I need. Being able to ride again will help me to feel free, confident and alive again”.

Jade Harrington, on the waitlist over a year

Thomas

“My son Tom is 19 and largely non-verbal. Waiting is especially difficult for him as it usually creates anxiety and distress.

But something very special happened when Tom attended RDA. For the first time, we saw him willingly wait his turn. He was calm, settled, and genuinely excited.

Tom began verbalising the horses’ names, something remarkable for a young man who finds speech so challenging. The confidence he felt from being on the horse carried into the rest of his week.

We saw more smiles, more attempts at communication, and a sense of achievement that stayed with him long after each session.

Tom has been waiting over a year to go back.”

Melissa Kemp, Thomas’s mother

Fatima

“Fatima struggled with life and was diagnosed with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and major depressive disorder. Finding activities was near impossible.

One thing that brought Fatima joy was visiting horses at our local paddocks. The calmness she found was beyond words.

We bought her a horse riding experience for her birthday. She was on cloud nine for days afterwards. Photos from that day are her wallpaper on her touchpad.

We continue to visit the horses in the paddocks, which really helps Fatima on those rough days.

Fatima has been waiting over a year. She’s been waiting for peace, for confidence, for belonging.”

Kelly Preston, Fatima’s stepmother

This Is What Belonging Looks Like

RDA Victoria isn’t just about riding horses. It’s about what happens when people with disability find a place where they’re understood, supported, and celebrated.

Confidence

“For the first time, we saw him willingly wait his turn.”

Riders discover capabilities they didn’t know they had patience, focus, and control.

Connection

“She became stronger and more confident each week.”

Participants form a genuine bond with their equine partner, and experience achievement and pure joy.

Calm

“Being around horses, the pain and trauma of hospital and life melt away.”

The rhythmic movement and non-judgmental presence of horses provides regulation and peace.

Independence

“She can’t go on a family hike but we can go for a trail ride and see nature.”

Riding gives participants experiences and skills that create real independence in their lives.

The Science Backs This Up

Research from La Trobe University, Charles Sturt University, and international RDA networks confirms that equine-assisted programs deliver:

Improved balance, posture, and motor coordination
Enhanced confidence and emotional regulation
Increased social communication and connection
Reduced anxiety and improved wellbeing

For many participants, these improvements carry over into every area of their lives.

Your Support Creates Capacity

The waitlist exists because demand far exceeds our current capacity. More people want to participate than we can currently serve.

Your donation funds the tangible resources that expand capacity:

Horses

Every horse requires careful selection, specialised training, ongoing veterinary care, and daily maintenance. Your support funds horses who are gentle, patient and willing to work in our programs.

Coaches

Qualified RDA coaches undergo extensive training to work safely and effectively with participants with diverse needs. Your support funds the coaches who make safe, joyful riding possible.

Facilities

Accessible mounting blocks, safe fencing, adaptive equipment, and proper arenas make riding and driving safe and comfortable for everyone. Your support funds facility improvements that welcome more riders.

Programs

From riding to carriage driving to groundwork, varied programs meet different needs and abilities. Your support funds program development that serves our diverse community.

Donation Impact Examples

$100 contributes to essential horse care and maintenance for one week
$150 funds three riding sessions for a person on the waitlist
$7500 supports coach training and development to increase capacity
$1,500 funds a month of program operations at one centre
$15,000 supports a qualified coach for a year, enabling 50+ weekly sessions
$30,000 contributes to a horse, opening capacity for 100+ participants annually

Note: Donations support RDA Victoria’s overall operations across 33 centres and state-level infrastructure including governance, risk management, insurance, training, and financial management.

Every Week of Waiting Matters

When someone is on our waitlist, they’re not just waiting for a turn. They’re waiting for:

The confidence that comes from mastering a new skill
The social connection that happens in our welcoming centres
The calm and regulation that horses uniquely provide
The independence that riding creates
The pure joy of being with these magnificent animals

Every week of waiting is another week without these experiences. With your support, we can expand capacity and reduce wait times. We can move more people from waiting to belonging where they discover strength, build friendships, and experience genuine inclusion.

The time to act is now.

We're raising funds through June 30, 2026 to:

Expand programs at existing centres
Add qualified coaches to increase session capacity
Fund therapy horses to welcome more riders
Improve facilities for safety and accessibility

Join us in making belonging possible.

Choose How You'd Like to Help

Option 1: One-Time Gift

Make an immediate impact with a one-time donation of any amount. Every dollar moves us closer to reducing the waitlist.

$50 | $100 | $250 | $500 | $1,000 | Other

Option 2: Monthly Giving

Provide ongoing support that enables sustainable growth. Monthly gifts help us plan for the future and create lasting capacity.

$20/month | $50/month | $100/month | Other

Option 3: Corporate Partnership

Is your business interested in meaningful community partnership? We work with corporates and SMEs to create partnerships that deliver genuine social impact.

Option 4: Fundraise for RDA

Start your own fundraising campaign among your networks. We’ll provide you with materials and support.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible. You’ll receive a receipt immediately via email.

Your Donation is in Safe Hands

Registered Charity

RDA Victoria is a registered charity with DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Proven Impact

For over 50 years, RDA Victoria has delivered life-changing outcomes for thousands of Victorians with disability across our 33 centres.

Transparent Reporting

We report regularly to our board, supporters, and regulatory bodies. Your donation is tracked and applied to campaign purposes.

Evidence-Based

Our programs are backed by research from leading universities confirming significant physical, psychological, and social benefits.

FAQs

How will my donation be used?

Your donation supports RDA Victoria’s “From Waiting to Belonging” campaign to expand capacity and reduce our waitlist. Funds support horses, qualified coaches, facility improvements, and program operations across our 33 centres and state-level infrastructure.

Can I specify which centre receives my donation?

Donations to this campaign support RDA Victoria’s state-wide operations, allowing us to direct resources where they’re needed most. If you’d like to support a specific centre, please contact us directly.

How quickly will my donation help reduce the waitlist?

Building sustainable capacity takes time. Your donation enables us to hire and train coaches, acquire and train therapy horses, and improve facilities all of which create long-term capacity to reduce wait times. We expect to see measurable waitlist reduction within 12-18 months of reaching our campaign goal.

Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes! RDA Victoria has DGR status. All donations over $2 are tax deductible and you’ll receive a receipt immediately via email.

Can I donate in honour or memory of someone?

Absolutely. You can include a dedication message during the donation process, and we can send a notification to anyone you specify.

I'd like to get involved beyond donating. How can I help?

We’d love to have you! Visit our [Volunteer page] to learn about volunteering opportunities at our centres. You can also follow us on social media and share our campaign with your networks.

1,000 people are waiting. Your support changes that.

Questions about donating or partnering?

info@rdav.asn.au

9258 4730

Follow our journey