People | Communicators

The Session Communicator is the link pin in communication which passes throughout the group, Speaking to Riders, Parents, Carers, Schools, Helpers, Instructors and Mentors about issues which affect the running of the organisation.

The Communicators job is to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard! Communicators also help to raise the profile of events whether they are training, fundraising or social.

Tuesday: Lorna MacEwen
Wednesday: Ruth Butterworth/Janet Muldoon
Thursday: Elspeth Thorburn
Friday: June Mustard
Saturday: Carolyn Gemmell

Tuesday Communicator - Lorna MacEwen

 

 

Hello, my name is Lorna MacEwen and I’ve been a helper at Muirfield Riding Therapy since January 2009. I help mainly on Tuesday mornings, by side walking and working with the children and young adult riders. I am also the communicator for all the Tuesday helpers, receiving and passing on information about everything that’s going on at MRT. I also sometimes help with jobs in the MRT office.

Wednesday Communicator - Ruth Butterworth

I have been volunteering at Muirfield RDA since the indoor arena opened.  Unlike most of our helpers I have not grown up being able to ride.  This means I have learned a huge amount as well as having a great time.  My ‘proper’ job is General Manager of the Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh.  I have finally taken the plunge and am training to be an instructor.  Wish I had done that years ago!

 

Thursday Communicator - Elspeth Thorburn

Hi.  My name is Elspeth and I live in North Berwick.  I started as a volunteer at Muirfield about 12 years ago whilst we were still operating in the outdoor school and an adjacent field.  In a previous life I was a teacher, and it was my choice to work with adults rather than children with special needs. I also have owned and ridden Icelandic horses since the 1970's, so I thought my background might help when I first volunteered.

Over the years I have watched the Group at Muirfield develop into the professional organisation it has become today and can appreciate how this benefits the riders.  Even although some have difficulty with communication, their enjoyment and development is obvious to our volunteers and we can appreciate how this influences their day to day lives, helping with their mobility and confidence.  The bond that they form with the horses and ponies is also quite special.

Although it can be very challenging work, the rewards are very satisfying when we see the pleasure on the riders' faces every week and watch the development of their riding skills.  I know we are making a difference when I see a rider, who can barely manage on the ground, mounted on one of our amazing horses and enjoying an experience that the rest of us can take for granted.

The other upside of being a member of Muirfield Riding Therapy is the comradeship amongst the volunteers which helps to make this Group such an outstanding  success.

 

Friday Communicator - June Mustard 

Living at West Fenton,RMT first came to my notice when on a Friday I could see ladies leading horses and asked Gill if she was starting a riding school, so in 1998 with the last of my children off to uni I thought I would go along and help.I  met up with one of my first riders Sophie Strawbridge (then 4yrsold) who was so nervous and afraid of horses,it is great to see her so happy and confident riding indpendantly and this is typical of the many other riders I have worked with over the years giving me a deal of satisfaction.Being a good talker and hopefully listener I am now a communicator for the Friday am session.I also run the MRT clothing outlet selling bodywarmers,fleeces, sweatshirts, poloshirts etc all bearing our logo at very competative prices.

 

Carolyn GemmelSaturday morning Communicator - Carolyn Gemmell

I have been volunteering on Saturday mornings for 5 years, and I’m also the session communicator. Getting up sometimes on a cold & wet Saturday morning in the middle of winter can be a challenge, but just the look on our riders faces when they are riding makes it all worthwhile. Part of the role of being a communicator is to encourage & motivate the other volunteers into organising & participating in the fund raising activities, which are such an important part of what we do at Muirfield Riding Therapy.