The Unicorn Centre
The Unicorn Centre, a registered charity, is a purpose built riding for the disabled facility which offers riding therapy and learning and training opportunities for over 200 disabled adults and children from the Tees Valley area each week. Opened in 1998, the Centre has become an established part of the local community, with a strong contingent of about 100 local volunteers who assist with riding lessons each week.
The Centre works across the spectrum of disabilities, age range, social status and environments. The focus is to ensure that each individual is given the chance to derive a direct therapeutic benefit and the opportunity to achieve their full potential; whether that be sitting with support astride a pony and riding down one side of the arena or competing at Paralympic dressage level.
The Unicorn Centre is a member group of the national Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA). The centre gives all its riders the opportunity to reach therapeutic goals and personal ambitions, to develop life skills and often to combat social isolation. Riders are also encouraged to develop a caring attitude and to connect with wonderful and specially trained horses and ponies, without whom the Centre could not deliver its valuable service.