Becky has worked at Calvert Stables for over 25 years and is a cherished member of the Stables team. Her experience, knowledge, enthusiasm and love for the ponies are valued by our team, volunteers and guests alike. We asked Becky about to share her story and why she enjoys working here so much.
The horses, they mean the world to me they get treated as they are my own.
My riders and drivers, seeing the progress and fun they have, doing what people may perceive as the impossible may be a cliché but from a wheelchair to a horse sitting independently, me helping to achieve this is great.
Just sending people away with a smile on their faces this can be from the participants to parents smiling at their children having a great time.
I started volunteering at Calvert when I was 12 years old. Mum thought it would be a good idea as I was interested in horses and anything to with animals!!
I started on a Saturday morning and it progressed from there! On to a full day then the weekend, after school and every day in the holidays including snow days!!!
I’m now now 46 and still here!!!
Our horses impact my riders in many ways from confidence, independence, mental wellbeing, social skills, physical and motor skills. Sometimes you just need a good chat and a pony who is non-judging and always listening.
Having being involved with Calvert, there’s been many people and horses who have given me inspiration. When I first started to drive the carriages, my instructor was a lady called Betty Walker who was kind but definitely made me do it correctly (maybe I was little scared of her – she was old school and probably didn’t suffer fools lightly).
Our volunteer co-ordinator, Phyllis, who actually didn’t really like horses but put up with them she started as a regular volunteer and then became co-ordinator. She donated the money to buy one of our best pony’s, Rocky, in memory of her late husband Bill.
She said they were quite alike all though she never told me why! Rocky was a superstar along with is best friend Bruno. These two where best friends and, at that time, they were our go-to horses as nothing fazed them. They were both very cheeky but absolutely knew their job – both Mr Dependable !
The Stables provide a fulfilling environment where employees, volunteers and horses see the direct life and mind changing impact on our participants.
Rewarding, inclusive, therapeutic, inspiring, (and all Stables staff, including me, are slightly) BONKERS!
Enabling people to try their best and achieve – no matter how small the achievement is, it is celebrated.
There isn’t just one there’s too many😊😂😍
