University volunteers muck in to help charity

Volunteers from Teesside University mucked in to help spruce up a centre which provides horse riding for disabled children and adults.

The 24-strong team spent a day at the Unicorn Centre in Hemlington, Middlesbrough. They painted and varnished stables, the feed rooms and the indoor arena.

The participants are all aspiring managers completing a Leadership and Management Programme and Management Skills Programme delivered by the Department for Learning Development. Part of the programme includes a volunteering day, where participants complete a voluntary community project.

Develop leadership and management skills Raza Rashid, from the University’s Department for Learning Development, said: 'They were set a task list of things which needed doing at the centre and had to plan the work and organise who would do what.

'The participants will be encouraged to reflect on what they’ve learned from the day and how they might transfer this back to the workplace in doing or thinking about things in a different way.

'By volunteering the participants develop their leadership and management skills by working as a team, while also giving something back to the community as a volunteer.'

Claire Pitt, of The Unicorn Centre, said: 'We’re a purpose-built riding centre for the disabled, set up in 1998. We’re a charity and we’re very reliant on volunteers.

'Maintaining the facility is a tremendous task and we’re indebted to the volunteers from the University.'

Among the volunteers was Dann Cooley, Senior Technician in the University’s School of Social Sciences & Law. He said: 'It always feels great when you are doing something to help give something back to the community or people in need.

'We’ve benefited personally by taking part, the spirit has been great and everyone has enjoyed being a part of it.'

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