Heart and Soul Active, social and being well
Pamela Bailey, Steve Bailey and Kristina Rees Cardiff Chameleons
A Swimming Club for People with a Learning Disability
Founded the Club in 1959
Joyce had responded to an advert in the newspaper for a position within the Society for People with a Mental Handicap (now MENCAP). Joyce noticed there was no outlet for these people to see what they could accomplish. She hit on the idea of swimming and with a bit of perseverance started the Club, the first in this country!
Fund raised from 1963 and hounded the council for our own pool which was built at Ely Hospital (1973 – 1996). The first club in the UK to join Special Olympics in 1978. This organisation was founded in the USA in 1968
Was awarded the MBE
Passed away in 1994
Her ambition lives on.
Meets twice a week. Have had athletes attend many Special Olympics games both in the UK and abroad. We are affiliated to:-
◦ Special Olympics GB and Wales ◦ Welsh Sports Association for People with Learning Disabilities ◦ MENCAP
Hold our own gala and social events
Our mini-bus is the main type of travel and it is the dedication of some of our parents who do the driving.
Over the years we have been to galas in Cheshire Reading Northumberland Birmingham Swansea Haverfordwest London Sheffield
Our bowlers meet once a week at Cardiff Bowls club They go to competitions in Stroud / Gloucester Isle of Wight And Torquay
We have had members compete in the National Games in Isle of Man Brighton Glasgow Sheffield Cardiff Portsmouth Bath Leicester
We have had members compete in European and World Games in Belgium France Germany Holland Majorca America
As with all clubs we need to raise funds, we have held: Race Nights Attended Car Boot sales Skittle evenings Coffee mornings Grand Prize Draws Raffles Our Socials events are Strawberry Teas Barbecues Christmas Meals Christmas Steam Train trips
This one we held for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Is the Clubs newsletter that is produced monthly and keeps everyone up to date with event happening with in the club
Thank you for inviting us to talk about our Club and I hope you have found it interesting. We are open to any questions you may have.