When the Unicorn Centre reached out and asked if we could help them decorate the centre for Christmas, we knew this would make the perfect Do Good, Feel Good volunteering opportunity.
The Unicorn Centre, based in Middlesbrough provides a wide range of horse-based activities, including riding, equine therapy, and volunteering opportunities for young people and adults with additional needs. They have a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian facility to develop life skills, emotional intelligence, and wellbeing, all led by a dedicated team of qualified staff and incredible volunteers. The Unicorn Centre have been on the volun-tees platform for many years and have supported lots of Teesside University volunteers along the way, who have absolutely loved the experience.
We arrived ready to help bring some festive joy to the centre. From putting up Christmas trees to creating a festive-themed riding track, our team worked together to add some sparkle and colour to the arena. Using chalk, we added bright, festive designs to the walls, hoping to make the environment even more uplifting for the riders and staff who work so passionately throughout the year. The artistic skills of our student volunteers were amazing, what a difference they made.
Beyond the decorations themselves, the experience was full of connection, communication and teamwork. For some students, this was their first volunteering experience and the first time of putting up a Christmas Tree. Volunteering together sparked new friendships and a shared sense of purpose, and the Unicorn Centre team welcomed us with genuine warmth (along with cake and hot drinks, which were very much appreciated)!
One of the highlights of the day was meeting one of the centre’s horses called Star, who came out to greet us with a gentle curiosity. We also had the privilege of watching a riding lesson in progress. Seeing firsthand the joy and confidence that the centre brings to its rider was inspiring. It reminded us of the powerful impact the Unicorn Centre has on the community and reaffirmed why supporting places like this is so important.
Denise Sisk, Volunteer Co-ordinator, expressed a heartfelt thanks following our visit:
“We were delighted to welcome students and staff from Teesside University on Wednesday to help us prepare our arena for our annual Pony Rides to Santa event, we had a lovely, fun afternoon. The students really showed off their creative talents, decorating Christmas trees and chalking the arena walls with a festive scene which looks fantastic.
We would like to say a huge thankyou to the students and organisers for their hard work and giving up their time to help us, the arena looks amazing, all ready for Santa's arrival”
A big thank you to the entire Unicorn Centre team for welcoming us so warmly. Thank you to the volunteers who made this Do Good, Feel Good so special. If you are interested in volunteering for the Unicorn Centre, you can view the volunteering opportunities they have on offer here:
Helping with Disabled Riding Therapy Lessons & Horse Care
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