Youngsters from Ride High visited The Bennie Group last month for a special day out driving fork lift trucks and diggers. Under the supervision of staff at group companies Barton Civils and Midland Fork Lifts the children were able to enjoy driving equipment that few people ever get to experience. We are not sure who enjoyed it the most, Ride High staff, Bennie Group staff or the children themselves? The equipment used was machinery we use every day but safety was of course paramount so there were one or two modifications just to make sure no one could get hurt. Driving a fork lift truck one of the children said “That was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life”.
Ride High is a charity set up to engage disadvantaged young people primarily by giving them the opportunity to ride and care for horses. However, experiencing workplace environments and interacting with staff who work there is also very important because one day these young people are going to be out in the workplace.
Chair of Ride High & Bennie Group Managing Director, Emma Ayres, was also present on the day. She has spent all of her working life around diggers and fork lift trucks. “It was good to see the positive effect it has had on some of the youngsters. The levels of the concentration they were putting in shows they were engaged and enjoying themselves. They were all so well behaved I am sure we can look forward to hosting another group next year.”
Rachel Medill, Chief Executive of Ride High said “At Ride High we work with children who are desperately sad, many are in foster care, some suicidal, some isolated and others primary carers for their parent. Our primary goal is to build the children’s self confidence and to give them a real sense of having a positive future. The trip to the Bennie Group was so inspiring for them, they came back buzzing and full of enthusiasm. Maybe in a few years time one or two will end up at the Bennie Group as permanent staff rather than visitors”.
For more information about Ride High visit www.ridehigh.org or email info@ridehigh.org
