New Arena Surface

Aim

Our arena surface is very old and tired. Very soon it will be unusable. We desperately need to replace it.

Who are we?

For over 40 years the Avon Centre has supported Disabled and disadvantaged people to access the therapeutic benefits of horses and nature. Our lessons provide physical support and build confidence and friendships. The Centre is a community and many participants go on to volunteer or even work at the Centre.

"I personally don’t know where we would be as a family if it wasn’t for all the team at RDA. They have been there through a really tough time for the children at school and every week has been a place of refuge for two children on the spectrum struggling to cope in that environment." - LD

Why are we crowdfunding?

Our Centre is purpose built to support Disabled people to get active. We are one of the largest purpose built RDA Centres in the country, supporting over 4000 sessions for Disabled participants every year, allowing them to access horse riding lessons. For some it is the only exercise they get. We have a waiting list of over 100 people currently wanting to access our services. Without a new arena service our ability to support our participants would be significantly diminished.

Our indoor arena is the most important facility we have. It  gets used every day by various activities so it is important to have safe and durable surface.

A correct surface will provide horses with enough softness to prevent any concussion injuries, but at the same time be firm enough to prevent any soft tissue injuries and sprains. It should also be easy to walk on for our volunteers and side walker during the RDA lessons. It is crucial to provide a good grip to prevent any slips as this could cause injuries not just to our horses but to our riders too. It is very important to be dust-free to prevent any respiratory issues in horses, riders, volunteers and coaches.

Our existing surface was laid in December 2016, so it has lasted almost 9 years. However, the surface has deteriorated to a point where it is no longer fit for purpose.  

The wax has gradually sunk down to below the level of the sand which makes the surface dusty and hard to walk on. The carpet fibres rose to the top of the surface which makes the surface thinner as it should be. We have also noticed some stones from the base layer surfacing, which makes the surface uneven in softness and hard to harrow and maintain.

The dust that is generated during our activities is a potentially serious health hazard, especially for those with asthma or respiratory problems.

Having a good quality surface will enable us to continue the work safely, ensuring the welfare and health of our horses and deliver the lessons to the highest standards to the beneficiaries of our charity, Disabled and disadvantaged people.  

How we’ll spend the money raised

We are crowdfunding to replace our arena surface. It costs approximately £75,000 to replace the surface. We are hoping that if we can receive a small amount of this through crowd funding, other funding options will become available to us, allowing us to raise the additional funds needed.

Community impact

We are working hard to make our Centre a community hub. We are soon looking forward to having an accessible downstairs café to allow participants to stay and socialise after their sessions as well as other groups to come and individuals to have a warm space in the winter. Our indoor arena as welcomed many other equestrian clubs, including The British Horse Society, Wessex Trec, Pony Club, The Miniature Horse Society of Great Britain, RDA Mid Mest Region and National, Cool Ridings and many more. But that's not all the arena is used for! We host numerous events, including dog training, a festive performance and sing along, and collaborations with other charities. On September 21st 2025 we will be hosting a fun dog show and charity open day. Not only will this day jointly raise funds for the Avon Centre and Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, but we will also be welcoming many other charities to share the important work they do. We will be welcoming representatives from Bristol After Stroke, Hedgehog Rescue, Hft, Cats Protection, Bristol Dementia Action Alliance, Share Bristol - Library of Things, Bristol Autism Centre, Dogs for Good and the Co-op, who supports many of these charities as local causes.

"It's going to be a wonderful community day," says Claire Evans, the Operations Manager at The Avon Centre. "We are delighted to be able to support so many charities from the local community to reach more people who would really benefit from their support. Here at the Centre, we are a community, its not just about sessions, it's the impact beyond into everyday life. Hopefully this event will provide people with access to support and where to find it."

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made