New partnership in South West brings more opportunities for blind people
British Blind Sport (BBS), the national charity for visually impaired people in sport has formed a partnership with Active Devon (County Sports Partnership) and the WESC Foundation (specialist centre for visual impairment). To enhance the provision of sport and physical activity for people with visual impairments in Exeter and across Devon.
Under the new partnership, the three organisations will work together to increase the number of physical activity opportunities and upskill local sport providers. On Saturday 12 March, BBS, Active Devon and the WESC Foundation will host an awareness and training event in Exeter dedicated to sport for visually impaired (VI) people.
The full day event will consist of two key elements. An education and training workshop for local sports coaches, leaders, clubs and teachers and a lively multi-activity session for anyone with a visual impairment to come along and try a variety of sports and activities.
Jason Wood, Development Manager at Active Devon said:
“Active Devon’s vision is Everyone in Devon active for Life and we really focus our efforts on widening participation in inclusive sports.
This partnership with British Blind Sport and WESC is an innovative model and we hope to demonstrate that getting active is as much about having fun and meeting friends as it is about energising your body.”
The education and training workshop - VI awareness in sport and PE will be hosted by WESC Foundation and British Blind Sport. It is designed to help any sport coach, club, volunteer or teacher to understand the needs of VI people when participating in sport and recreation. The workshop will provide attendees with a general understanding of sight loss and how to adapt and modify sports and activity sessions to ensure they are accessible and inclusive for people with visual impairments.
If your interested in attending the VI awareness worskhop, you can register your place on the Active Devon website.
During the afternoon, the WESC Foundation will by running activity sessions for children and adults with a visual impairment to come along and have a go at lots of exciting activities, including swimming, golf, athletics, goalball, gymnastics, football and judo.
The sessions will be led by qualified coaches from local clubs, who have experience of working with people with sight loss. All sports sessions are provided free of charge.
The afternoon of activity is an excellent opportunity to try a new sport, learn a new skill and have fun! Friends and family members are also welcome to attend and join in the activities. Activity sessions are running from 1:30pm until 6:00pm.
British Blind Sport, Active Devon and the WESC Foundation are committed to providing regular sports opportunities to encourage people to be active,. This event is just the start of the opportunities that the three organisations are working together to provide.
Following on from this event on 12 March, the WESC Foundation will be hosting a regular multi-sport and activity club for people with visual impairments, as part of Active Devon Opportunities Club Programmes. The types of sports and activities will be determined by local demand so this a great chance to be involved in the future of VI Sport in Exeter and across Devon.
For more information about the event on Saturday 12 March, please contact Jason Wood, Development Manager at Active Devon on 07958 012641.
Photo credit: Leaderboard for England Golf
British Blind Sport provides visually impaired children and adults with opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity.
