“Volunteering Is Where I Could Be Myself”

When Jenny Bridger first arrived at Penniwells Riding for the Disabled (RDA), she wasn’t just looking for something to do.

Having recently left hospital, Jenny was already involved in riding for the disabled and volunteering gave her a sense of purpose at a time when recovery felt uncertain.

Penniwells became a place where she could channel her motivation into something positive, helping others while rebuilding her own confidence. So strong was that connection that Jenny chose to remain in Hertfordshire after leaving hospital, simply so she could stay involved.

That was over ten years ago.

“I wanted to prove that people in hospital can volunteer,” Jenny explains. While still an inpatient, she went out for the day, not for shopping trips or days out, but to volunteer at the yard. The Penniwells team were incredibly supportive, always ensuring someone was nearby if she needed help and allowing her role to grow gently and safely over time - at her own pace.

She began with stable work and learning how the yard operated, gradually building confidence and understanding how each RDA group worked. As her confidence grew, so did her involvement - from fundraising challenges like marathons, abseiling and fancy-dress events, to creating sensory tracks and social media posting, and now with a hands-on involvement building wooden animals for the yard.

“I’ll often take my screwdriver up to put things up for them,” she laughs. “Being able to get involved in as much or as little as possible - especially with my mental health - is really important.” That flexibility has allowed Jenny to remain involved through health appointments, setbacks and milestones alike. Sometimes she even travels with the group to competitions and shows.

"Volunteers don't just give their time, they give people the confidence to believe in themselves. Volunteering fills a space in your heart that you didn't know was empty and we cannot do any of it without the support of our volunteers. The riders and volunteers both benefit from feeling very much part of the Penniwells Team and family, " says Sarah Healing, Penniwells Centre Manager.

Beyond the stables, Jenny has supported Pony Club sessions on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons, hoping to one day train as a leader for this group. She has encouraged riders to get involved in arts, crafts and creative writing and taken on the “extra bits” that busy staff don’t always have time for.

Penniwells, part of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), supports around 140 riders a week and requires many volunteers to support them. For Jenny, what the organisation has given her goes far beyond numbers.

“I’m very grateful for what they give me,” she says. “They gave me a sense of security when I was moving into a new area and allowed me to start an independent life. It’s been a constant for me.”

Jenny set herself a personal goal: if she could volunteer consistently for a year with no relapses or hospital admissions, she would consider moving into a more formal role. She achieved that - and went on to become a volunteer with Mind Network, where she works part time leading part of their experience team, helping to develop training whilst encouraging others to use their experiences to improve mental health services. Still, when times are hard, Penniwells remains her anchor.

“When I’ve had major struggles, the first place I’ve gone back to is Penniwells,” she explains. “Being around animals is a huge passion for me, so if I don’t want to be there, that’s a sign I need to check in with myself.”

One moment stands out above all others. Jenny formed a deep bond with a particular mare - so deep that she now has her tattooed on her back.

“She told me to go home,” Jenny recalls. “She nudged me towards the stable door - like she was saying, ‘You’re not well enough to be here today.’ That horse represents RDA and Penniwells to me. It’s a space I can always go back to, even if it’s just for ten minutes.”

That sense of safety and acceptance is central to Jenny’s experience. “There’s no demand, no pressure. It’s about what you feel comfortable with.”

She strongly believes in the RDA motto - ‘It’s what you can do that counts’ - and believes it can be applied it to everyone, not just riders. “They’ll always find something you’re confident with. You don’t need experience; you can come and learn.”

For Jenny, volunteering has been mutually beneficial. “Everyone helps out, regardless of ability or disability. It’s about showing people: you can do this.”

Volunteering has also given her friendship, routine and community - things she didn’t have after spending four years in hospital. Penniwells’ inclusive, LGBTQ+-friendly environment helped her feel safe and confident, and for many people, she says, volunteering can be a stepping stone to work, part of a health plan, or simply a place to belong.

“People volunteer for lots of reasons,” Jenny says. “Not just because they want to do something good - don’t worry about being judged for that. If it works for you and helps you, that’s fantastic.”

She’s clear that charities benefit just as much as volunteers do and take real pride in the progress people make. “You might think you’re helping someone else, but actually, it’s about what it can do for you too. That gratitude flows both ways.”

“I may never be able to work full time,” she reflects, “but if I can do things that make me feel like I’m doing something good, that matters.”

For Jenny, volunteering has always been more than a role.

“Volunteering is where I could be myself.”