Riding for the Disabled enables people with disabilities to ride and work with horses.  Horses and horse-riding offer huge benefits; not only exercise and fresh-air activity but also the opportunity to take risks. In addition, horses are extremely relational and empathic creatures. People whose disability makes it difficult to develop relationships with other people may be able to engage with horses.  This has been the case for the autistic child of a colleague whose world has been transformed through Riding for the Disabled.

Bradford Nightstop offers emergency overnight accomodation to young people (16-25) who have nowhere else to stay.  When young people leave home suddenly, perhaps following an argument, then they are extremely vulnerable if they have nowhere to go.  Friends may be able to offer temporary accomodation but if this is not available then the young person may end up on the streets.  Bradford Nightstop will give them a place to stay for one night, either in a hostel or in the home of a volunteer, and provide help and advice about what to do next.

Bradford Nightstop welcomes cash donations of course but also donations of good such as underwear and toiletries.  There is a full list at http://www.bradfordnightstop.org.uk/donations-view=51.php.html and a number to call in order to check what is needed.

Each year there is an event called the ‘Reindeer Stampede’ in Saltaire which is a 5k race in aid of Epilepsy Action and Hall Royd Band provides musical accompaniment.  Epilepsy Action is a source of information about epilepsy; provides support and services for people with epilepsy; funds research and campaigns on behalf of people with the condition.  Epilepsy is a hidden disability in that it can have considerable impact on someone’s life and yet, most of the time, nobody else wil know about it.  I know several people with epilepsy and it is very likely that there are many more in my circles of friends and acquaintances.

The father of one of my son’s friends is chair of Leeds Advocacy Group, an organisation which helps people with learning disabilities to express their needs.  Leeds Advocacy Group not only speaks on behalf of people with learning disabilities but supports them to speak for themselves.  There are many situations in which people with learning disabilities are vulnerable, especially in these times of ‘austerity’ and so it is really important that there should be supporters who are on the side of individuals and can help people to articulate what they need to say.

Leeds Advocacy Group welcomes volunteers as well as cash donations.

Note: Leeds Advocacy Group has been having problems with the website recently and the online donations tool may not be working but the group can be contacted by phone or email.

Relate is one of the main providers of family therapy.  The Relate premises offer a safe, neutral space where families can discuss and work through problems with the support of a trained counsellor.  Relate also provides counselling for children and young people, with or without other family members.  There are actually very few agenda-free organisations that provide this kind of service and yet it is so important that there should be a safety-net available for families and for young-people who are struggling.  In addition, Relate trains family (and relationship) counsellors; a friend of mine is a Relate trainer.

Bradford Curry Project provides free hot meals to homeless people in need.   Originally the project served food to homeless people but, according to a recent article in the local paper, the number of people needing free meals has increased three-fold and now includes families who simply cannot afford to feed themselves. Bradford Curry Project is an interfaith project, staffed by volunteers and it doesn’t only provide curry.  In addition to cash donations Bradford Curry Project welcomes contributions of food and time; additional volunteers are always needed!

According to WaterAid 768 million people in the world do not have safe drinking water and almost 2,000 children each day die from water-borne diseases.  WaterAid works around the world with local people to create safe water supplies and sanitation  in ways that are appropriate to local conditions.  I know that I take water and sanitation for granted; I turn on the tap, water comes out and I drink it.  Waste water disappears down the drains and I know that it will be reprocessed for use without being contaminated en route. In the UK people do not die from water-borne disease but in many parts of the world water, which should be life giving, is one of the main disease vectors.  This is why the work of WaterAid is so important.

Rethink Mental Illness provides care and support for people with mental health problems and for their families, carers and friends.  The services include residential care;treatment centres; advice on practical problems such as housing, benefits and criminal justice; advocacy and community support.  Although Rethink Mental Illness is the UK’s largest voluntary provider of Mental Health services it does not seem to be as well-known as some other organisations.  However, the work it does is extremely important.

Jessie’s Fund is a small charity which provides music therapy and musical instruments for children who are terminally ill or severely disabled. Jessie was a musical girl who sadly died from a brain tumour at the age of nine.  Her family and friends had been raising money to send her to the United States for treatment and Jessie called this pot ‘Jessie’s Fund’ but Jessie was unable to make use of the fund.  Jessie spent a lot of time in a children’s hospice which had no music therapy which is why Jessie’s parents decided to use the money that they had raised to bring music to other children with life-limiting illnesses.  This is still a family-run charity and the music that they provide has genuine impact on children’s well-being.