New Lodge Centre was started in 1978 by Brian Green.  In 1984 we became affiliated to the National Riding for the Disabled. However in 1998 they became Federated and each member group was required to become a registered charity. This made us responsible for our own fundraising but still governed by the rules and policies of the National RDA

We currently have 11 RDA ponies/horses and we provide riding facilities to both adults and children in the boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lewisham and Southwark. We also have riders coming from further afield. We are open six days a week, and have between 75 and 100 regular riders who have a range of special needs including physical, sensory, and learning difficulties. We try to cater for all impairments and needs.

New Lodge Centre works across the spectrum of disabilities, age, and social status. The focus of our work is to ensure that each individual has the opportunity to achieve their personal goals, and chance to derive a direct therapeutic benefit. RDA gives individuals the opportunity to:

• Reach therapeutic goals
• Achieve their personal ambition
• Combat social isolation
• Develop life skills
• Experience the outdoors
• Connect with animals.

New Lodge Centre has three principle objectives:

• Developing and supporting opportunities for therapy
• Developing and supporting opportunities for achievement
• Enabling physical activity and enjoyment.

We work hard to ensure that we are able to offer opportunities to any person, regardless of background. Therefore, where there is sufficient capacity, and where the welfare of our horses is not put at risk, we are able to work with any person with a disability. There is increasing support for our activities from medical and remedial professions as they come to realise the benefits of riding for people whose abilities are limited by their impairments.