I volunteer with the Thames Valley Mounted Police at their stables – a specialist team that I feel privileged to be part of. My role is very much like that of a groom: mucking out, grooming, walking the horses, poop-picking, disinfecting stalls, scrubbing water troughs, cleaning tack – all the day-to-day jobs, as well as some of the “nice to do” tasks that the staff don’t always have time for on their busiest days. I don’t ride, but I do pretty much everything else, and nearly a year in, I can honestly say it’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done.
I came here after retiring from 20 years in the police. I already knew of the mounted section and had always admired their work. Horses have been part of my life for a long time, and I was brave enough to step into something new when I finished my career. It was out of my comfort zone, but I wanted to give something back, find a sense of purpose, and be part of a team again.
The grooms here work incredibly hard – long hours, weekends, and often just one or two on duty. It can be quite isolating, with constant duty changes, so I think having a volunteer come in brings a bit of freshness to the yard. I’m someone new to talk to, someone who has time to do the smaller jobs that make a difference. It’s nice to feel I can lift the team’s spirits as much as they lift mine. I always leave feeling happier, calmer, and fulfilled – and when the team are happier, that feeling spreads to the horses and the wider community too.
Being trusted with the horses is a privilege. Grooming, walking, playing, even using training aids in the school – it’s all part of the rhythm of the yard. I’ve seen the farrier at work, learning about the different types of shoes the horses need, and I’ve watched the vet carry out procedures, with everything explained so clearly. Those moments are a chance to learn, to share knowledge, and to feel more confident in myself.
It’s not just the horses either. I chat with the farmer whose fields and barns the mounted section use. Hearing the joy he feels having the horses there, and understanding the challenges he faces, adds another layer to the whole experience. It feels like community in action – laughter, new friends, physical challenges, and the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a volunteer team.
I won’t pretend it isn’t tiring. Some days I leave absolutely exhausted, but I also leave with a huge sense of achievement. I feel valued, needed, and part of something that matters. As a retired officer, I also feel safe in this environment. It brings me joy and happiness, and it’s helped my mental health. I’m more relaxed, more enthusiastic, and more confident in my abilities outside of my own job.
The community clearly appreciates the mounted section. People wave when they see the horses out and about. Positive comments come in all the time, and I know I’ve played a small part in supporting that specialist team. That’s a great feeling.
If anyone asked me about volunteering, my advice would be simple: just do it. Whether it’s two hours or twenty, it all makes a difference. Find something that interests you, something that lifts your heart. If you’re enthusiastic, you’ll keep going back. You’ll learn, you’ll share, and you’ll gain far more than you give.
For me, it’s given me purpose, belonging, friendship, laughter, calmness, and a renewed sense of myself. It’s made me happier – and that happiness spreads to the team, the horses, and the community around us.
