Ride High Impact Report 2023 - Report - Page 2
WELCOME
We are delighted to present Ride High’s 2023 Impact
Report.
Given the challenging times in which we are operating
we are thrilled that we have continued to succeed in our
mission to transform vulnerable young lives in Milton
Keynes and surrounding areas. This annual report
captures some of our greatest achievements.
As the demand for our unique service continues to
increase year-on-year, it has long been our ambition to
expand our programme to more children. Following a
significant award from the National Lottery Community
Fund, we were finally able to increase the number of
children we support on a weekly basis by 50%. This
resulted in our working with 337 children in need in 2023
– the most we’ve ever helped in any one year.
Such an expansion required a tremendous amount of
preparation, including the recruitment of new staff and
volunteers, training and development for our growing
team, not-to-mention considerable logistical and
operational planning. Our team is now all the stronger
and the benefits of our efforts are reflected in the
progress the children have made.
IN 2023 WE
WORKED WITH
WE’VE
SUPPORTED
WE WERE
ESTABLISHED
120
2,000+
15
CHILDREN EACH
WEEK
CHILDREN IN
TOTAL
YEARS AGO
Our focus has always been local, but having now
demonstrated our value over 15 years, confidence in
our service is rapidly growing regionally and nationally.
Awards from prestigious funders including the Henry
Smith Foundation and the Masonic Charitable
Foundation are a testament to the quality of our service,
and are allowing us to strengthen our presence in Milton
Keynes
whilst
developing
plans
to
expand
geographically and establish sites in additional locations
where there is a need.
So, whilst this report looks back on the highlights of
2023 and aims to acknowledge those who have helped
us get this far, we are also looking forward and invite
existing and new supporters to join us on our journey.
Together we are making a difference.
We hope you enjoy reading our report.
Thank you.
We take great pride in how we meticulously measure
our impact and adapt our programme to meet the needs
of our community. You will see how our outcomes data
and feedback from members, their carers and referrers
highlights how Ride High has increased the confidence,
resilience, happiness and the health and wellbeing of
our beneficiaries.
Olivia Sugdon
CEO
Phil Zeidler
Chair of Trustees
In 2023 we enjoyed greater engagement within the local
community, working closely with a variety of businesses,
and forging new collaborations with organisations
including the Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit.
OUR STRATEGY
VALUES
Encouraging
Achieving
Belonging
Inspiring
OBJECTIVES
Ride High will provide
bespoke programmes using
horses as a critical enabler
to improve the mental
health, wellbeing, and longterm outcomes of
vulnerable and
disadvantaged children and
young people.
VISION
To transform the
lives of vulnerable
and disadvantaged
children and young
people.
MISSION
To support a minimum
of 300 children and
young people per year in
Milton Keynes and to
expand our offering
within the next five years
by opening at least one
more site.
We were chosen to meet His
Majesty the King on his celebratory
visit to Milton Keynes to mark its
new status as a city. Ride High was
proud to be included in the bid for
city status.