Living Sport supporting more disabled people to be active
Living Sport manages the Stepping Stone project on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council. To date, the project has engaged with nearly 200 individuals and successfully supported them to become regular participants, coaches and officials in their desired sport at local clubs and sports settings. Living Sport now hopes to build on the good work that has already been carried out and continue the project until February 2016 to support more people to try out a new sport with the view to joining a local sports club as a participant, coach, volunteer or official.
Stepping Stone aims to encourage regular sports participation for anyone over the age of 14 who is disabled or has a long term health condition and covers the full spectrum of additional needs. The project is also funded by Sport England’s Inclusive Sport Fund as part of the National Lottery Places, People, Play programme.
Many participants said that they would recommend the project to others and that the activity offered was suitable for their needs. They were able to develop new skills, enjoyed the activity and felt included.
The results of Living Sport’s disability sport consultation said 4 in 10 would like to do sport in a mainstream sports setting with support; over 65% of disabled people who are not currently participating want to get involved in sport or physical activity. This project is perfect for helping those people not already engaged in sport and helping to address any individual challenges as to why they are not currently participating.
Some of the highlights of the project have been working with Papworth Trust to set up a Table Tennis group in Papworth Everard in partnership with St Neots Table Tennis club. This partnership has provided the opportunity for disabled people in the village to access Table Tennis on their doorstep removing the barrier of transport to get to St Neots. Having delivered a taster session, regular sessions have now been set up which already have 12 people interested in taking part.
Papworth Tennis Club has also been supported to set up Wheelchair Tennis sessions. Again after successful tasters, regular sessions have been running since September.
The individuals who are aged 18 to over 50 have a range of impairments and are now accessing 10 different sports. Including Archery, paddleboarding and Golf. Taking the total people now access sport regularly through the project in the last 2 years to over 110 people aged 14+ across Cambridgeshire.
One participant who used to play tennis before becoming disabled commented:
“Thanks for organising the wheelchair tennis at Papworth. I really enjoyed it, this was the first sport that I had done apart from swimming since 1979. I was so tired after the session but it made me feel so good it was worth it.”
Rebecca Gilbertson, Disability Sport Coordinator at Living Sport, who will be leading on Stepping Stone, commented:
‘A further extension to the Stepping Stone project is exciting and I am keen to engage many more people before the end of February 2016. As a disabled person myself I know first-hand how difficult it can be for someone to have the courage to try something outside of their comfort zone, but I have also seen how sport and leading a healthy active lifestyle can change lives and enable people to become valued members of their community. I hope we can continue to use Stepping Stone to help people make the steps they need to try sport and see the benefits for themselves.’
Gary Hughes, Cambridgeshire County Council said:
I am delighted that we have been able offer Living Sport an extension to Stepping Stone. With their vast experience in delivering projects as well as knowledge and networks that are already engaging disabled people, I am confident the project will continue to be a success.
