STUDENTS at Duchy College are helping to make riding accessible for people living with a disability.

The group studying Level 2 Animal Management have volunteered their spare time to work with Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Duchy Group.

The group was set up 23 years ago and provides riding and therapy for children and adults with disabilities, plus the opportunity to compete at county, regional and national level.

The five students who have volunteered to help out will be working with the charity each week as part of their horse husbandry module and work experience.

Chairman of RDA Juliette Snelgrove said: 'It's fantastic that Duchy College students want to get involved with RDA. They always come along with such enthusiasm and energy and a willingness to help and learn which is great.

'Volunteers are the lifeblood of any RDA group and without them the 500 plus groups that exist across the country would not operate.

'It's down to the 28,000 volunteers that RDA can offer such extensive and varied opportunities for riding and therapy on a national basis.'

Each of the riding sessions requires the help of many dedicated volunteers. Every week volunteers are required to lead the horses, side walkers to assist riders when necessary, to get horses tacked up and ready and to help put out equipment for the sessions.

Juliette added: 'At Duchy Group we have a committed group of volunteers who all know their jobs and it all helps our sessions run smoothly each Wednesday. We are very grateful for their support. Without these volunteers, the sessions would simply not be possible.'

Director of the rural economy at Duchy College Dr Phil Le Grice said: 'Gaining valuable work experience enables these students to develop new skills to help them grow as individuals and to be ultimately more employable.

'The fact that they are working with RDA makes that experience even more worthwhile, not only for them, but for the people they are supporting.'