Novice filly working to create a safe place in a stable environment

Our Ambassadors

How are they chosen?

#GoRacingGreen Ambassadors are carefully chosen, because although they are currently volunteers, they play a vital role in the initiative, and play a vital role in supporting members of the #GoRacingGreen community.

They may be someone who has experienced, or experiences challenges in life themselves (or someone they are close to does), meaning they have a personal understanding of what it can be like to find life difficult at times. They may work or have previously worked in a role within mental health, special educational needs, or dementia, for example. Or they may specifically be able to support the key groups within the #GoRacingGreen community.

Some Ambassadors are people that just enjoy going racing and are happy to chat to you on course if you go on your own or feel anxious or uneasy.

The Ethos of #GoRacingGreen

The ethos of #GoRacingGreen is very simple, and all our Ambassadors must support this, at all times, and:

Be kind
Do not be judgemental
No bullying or being involved with those who knowingly do
Keep things in confidence
Do not give any advice you are not qualified to give
Support the initiative and help spread the word
Be understanding that people can struggle with life for many reasons

The Ambassador Role

#GoRacingGreen Ambassadors currently offer their time voluntarily to support the initiative. They have their own full time lives, families and work outside of their Ambassador role. They may also, at times, have their own struggles.

I will always be the main point of contact for #GoRacingGreen, as I have until now, but it has become apparent that there are some groups within society that are not getting involved - men and young people between 16 and 25. So, recently, two new initiatives have been launched to support these groups, which you can read about here.

These groups in particular will have their own Ambassadors, and shortly their information will appear on this page. They will, when possible, accompany me on stable visits and race day meet ups, and be available, when they can, to support you if you need a chat.

Expectations & Qualifications

Like myself, the Ambassadors are not counsellors or medically trained.

They are simply someone friendly and understanding to talk to if you feel that is what you need, as we know sometimes it is better to talk to someone a little detached from your situation. The advice they give will be their own advice, and not professional advice you would get from a counsellor or trained medical professional. It would be no different than chatting to a friend or colleague.

They will keep what you say confidential, unless you say something that raises any concern towards the safety of yourself, or someone else, in which case they will contact me, and I will contact the relevant professional authority.

However, those Ambassadors with specific support roles will be put through a #GoRacingGreen Induction and a Half Day Mental Health England Mental Health First Aid course and be DBS checked.

The Ambassadors are not the people to contact in crisis. We do not have the resources, qualifications, or the ability to deal with this due to our own struggles. If you need immediate help please contact your GP, Samaritans or 111 or 999 in crisis.

Details of your local Crisis Team can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/other-services/Crisis%20support/LocationSearch/329 where you search by your Post Code.