Jockeys and racing media company join sport’s volunteer effort for first time
British racing united for the seventh Racing Together Community Week (18-24th May) to volunteer in support of local communities and to celebrate the sport’s year-round social impact.
Jockeys took part for the first time, including Tom Bellamy and Lilly Pinchin who both spent time at Cotswold Riding for the Disabled Centre based at Cheltenham racecourse learning about the charity’s work. They were more than happy to get stuck in with the team with poo picking, washing tails, tacking up and more besides.
Racecourse Media Group staff (pictured top of page) left behind the stress of producing live racing action, as 30 colleagues spent an afternoon volunteering at Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, supporting the charity’s work to transform young lives through horses.
This year’s optional theme was tackling loneliness, and Newcastle racecourse hosted a group from Age UK Northumberland for a VIP raceday as part of the sport’s loneliness pilot, delivered by Racing Together and funded by the Racing Foundation, Horserace Betting Levy Board and supported by the Racing Post and Godolphin.
Age UK Northumberland CEO Amy Whyte said: “We are incredibly proud to be partnering with Racing Together, the British Horseracing Authority and Newcastle Racecourse on this important pilot programme. Loneliness and social isolation continue to affect far too many older people across our county, so creating opportunities for connection and conversation is vital.
“These events are about much more than horse racing – they are about bringing people together and helping people feel valued and included. We’ve already seen the positive impact that these events can have, and we’re excited to be part of a partnership that is using the power of racing to make a meaningful difference in our local communities.”
An Age UK attendee from last week’s event added: “We meet every Tuesday morning. I had no idea what it [racing] would be like, but it’s been absolutely lovely. It was just lovely being so close to the horses. They’re really, really good looking, aren’t they?”
Youth engagement is also part of the sport’s social impact strategy, and at the British Horseracing Authority’s office 15 Year 10 students enjoyed a careers’ activity day hosted by Racing Together and Careers in Racing. BHA staff were joined by colleagues from the Racing Post and the Levy Board to create informative sessions for the group, all of whom reported that they had learnt something new and valuable about careers in racing and the care given to racehorses. The majority reported that the fast-paced day had improved their team-work. The British Horseracing Authority published an update on the social impact strategy last week here.
Lucy Gurney, Community Engagement Manager at Racing Together, said: “Racing’s collective volunteering effort amounted to hundreds of staff from 80 racing organisations taking part last week, giving thousands of hours to support charities and local community groups.
“At our well-supported Industry Day event in February, we workshopped this initiative – from its value to the sport, to how to maximise its effectiveness and width of participation. We were pleased with the very positive response to its contribution and progress and welcomed ideas on how best to create more impact.
“This initiative is owned by racing and Racing Together is so grateful to all those who took part, and we’re delighted that all of the organisations surveyed so far tell us their impact will continue beyond the week.”
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