Momentum Issue Four

momentum www.momentummagazine.co.uk

INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF MOMENTUM: > Wheels Matters

Supplement: Dec/Jan Pages 25 - 32

> Wheelchair Tennis:

NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters 2014

ISSUE FOUR

In Association with:

> Accessible Tourism: Disabled Access Day 17th January 2015

Sports Academy Bradley Smith “It’s amazing here, a dream come true.

Even though I’m not playing at national level it’s incredible being included.

Everyone is the same and has equal opportunity”

David Scott “Sport has given me passion and a career. It’s just like the real world, you get out there and get on with it”

www.rnc.ac.uk registered charity number 1000388

RNC I Momentum

UK’s first VI Sports Academy launched

>> RNC Sports Academy students with Patron Dave Clarke and Ambassadors Danny Mills, Des Kelly and Laura Perry.

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T Sport presenter Des Kelly hosted the launch of the UK’s first Sports Academy for people with a visual impairment at The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) in Hereford on 7 November 2014.

Laura said “I never dreamt I would be lining up as part of the GB Women’s squad, representing my country in a sport I love.

I didn’t even know goalball existed before I went to RNC! I look forward to being an ambassador for the Academy.”

Joined by Sir Philip Craven MBE, President of the International Paralympic Committee, Des, an ambassador for the Academy, watched demonstrations of blind football, goalball and VI golf, the three main sports on offer at the College. Fellow ambassadors former England footballer and BBC sports commentator Danny Mills and former RNC students Laura Perry and Dan English also shared their love for sport with VIP guests.

Laura and David Scott, a current Sports Academy student and Great Britain Men’s goalball player, took part in the demonstration of the game before the official launch of the Academy.

>> Sir Philip Craven MBE (Chairman of the International Paralympic Committee) announcing the launch of the RNC Sports Academy

Reflecting on the grassroots opportunities available through the Sports Academy Danny said: “Rebuilding a life through sport is not all about playing for England or Great Britain; it’s about being the best you can be.”

Bradley Smith studies Business, Psychology and Spanish and is a member of the Academy, working on football skills. Like many young people Bradley was not included in sports at his mainstream school because of his visual impairment, and he first learnt how to run at RNC. The College promotes inclusion in physical activities, encouraging sport for all and improving health and life experiences for each and every student.

“It’s amazing here; a dream come true,” said Bradley. “Even though I’m not playing at national level, it’s incredible being included. Everyone is the same and has equal opportunity.”

Sir Philip spoke passionately about the importance of this approach, saying: “Sport is for everybody and can be an amazing vehicle for life. I’d like to get rid of the word ‘disability’ - it has no place in sport.

People need to concentrate on what they can do and decide for themselves what that is. Sport is about fun, excitement, honesty and trust.”

Dave Clarke, former captain of the England and Team GB blind football team, who represented his country in multiple World Cups and Paralympic Games, is the RNC Sports Academy’s patron. Alongside Keryn Seal, his successor, he was present for both the launch of the Academy and the subsequent draw for the IBSA Blind Football European Championships 2015.

The Euros are being hosted at the College’s thePoint4 sports facility in August 2015.

Tickets are on sale through the event website at www.blindeuros.co.uk.

Further information on the RNC Sports Academy can be found at www.rnc.ac.uk.

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Contents I Momentum

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With Thanks to: SDS, Tennis Foundation, Mifinder, Valence School Sports College, England & Wales Cricket Board, EFDS, oneathlete, WheelPower, Sport England, Dwarf Sport Association UK, UK Deaf Sport, British Blind Sport, CP Sport, WDSA (UK), LimbPower, Special Olympics GB, Disability Sport Wales, Scottish Disability Sport, Sport in Mind, Disability Sport NI, Euan’s Guide & all advertisers.

Images Supplied: Scottish Disability Sport (Front Cover) & thanks to all other image contributors.

Published & Designed by: © Publishing Magazines Ltd www.publishingmagazinesltd.com

Contact Us: Address Publishing Magazines Ltd 30A North East Business & Innovation Centre, Wearfield, Sunderland, SR5 2TH Email (General Enquiries) info@momentummagazine.co.uk

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10 FEATURES >> 08 > You get what you train for oneathlete - Ollie Hynd (MBE)

10

> Wheelchair Tennis

NEWS >> 06

> Foreword

Barry Horne, Chief Executive (EFDS)

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> sport 4 all

25 > Wheels Matters Supplement - Dec/Jan

14

> Mifinder Mobile App

33 > Special Olympics GB

48

38 > Boccia

49

NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters

Valence School Sports College

What’s stopping inclusion in sport?

A community networking platform

> FA

A big year for elite disability sport

> Sport in Mind

The mental health sports charity

52 > Disabled Access Day 17th January 2015

04 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Email (Production/Artwork Enquiries) studio@publishingmagazinesltd.com Website: www.momentummagazine.co.uk Twitter: @Momentum_Mag

© Publishing Magazines Ltd 2014.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any way without written permission from the publisher. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher and although every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate, the publishers take no responsibility for errors and omissions.

No responsibility can be accepted by the publisher for any claims made by the advertisers in this publication.

>> Friends of Momentum Magazine

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Foreword I Momentum our efforts to promote more on sport and exercises within disabled people’s lives. With this understanding, providers can learn more on how to deliver attractive opportunities, which tap in to disabled people’s values, motivational drivers and use the right channels to reach more people. We have had a terrific response to the significant insight we have released this year. None have been more meaningful than to our latest report- Talk to Me.

>> written by: Barry Horne Chief Executive, the English Federation of Disability Sport

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t does not feel that long since I was writing for the first edition of Momentum in June 2014. Now looking at the achievements to date and previewing the final edition of the year, EFDS is delighted to continue its association with the magazine, which has grown from strength to strength in 2014.

What a fantastic year it has been for those of us involved in sport and physical activity for disabled people. “Speaking for my own national charity, the English Federation of Disability Sport.” has made new friends through active local and national partnerships,

increased fundraising support and released many valuable resources over the last twelve months.

Many of our Members, like the influential National Disability Sport Organisations, have increased their own participation rates, through events and development programmes. We ourselves continue to deliver top participation opportunities through our Disability Sport Events programme and more gyms are now accredited to the Inclusive Fitness Initiative.

Something that stands out over 2014, is the strength of EFDS’s research and insight – key to

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“After our Lifestyle Report was unveiled in 2013 the follow on study - Motivate Me - was released in May this year. Its findings challenge providers’ thinking on the opportunities currently offered to disabled people to be active.”

The report also provides a better understanding of the motivations of disabled people to be active.

Released in October, Talk to Me built on our previous findings to discuss more in-depth matters with disabled and non-disabled people.

The result is practical guidelines for sport and fitness providers drawn up with active and inactive disabled people.

EFDS hopes the information shared over the last year will mean disabled people are offered more appealing opportunities over 2015 and beyond.

“Thank you to all the amazing people who continue to support our work in making active lives possible.” We think 2015 will be even more exciting than 2014!

May I take this opportunity to say Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all readers of Momentum. Please continue to support Momentum and share it with your friends, members and colleagues.

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oneathlete I Momentum >> Athlete: Ollie Hynd MBE - British, European, World, Commonwealth and Paralympic champion Category: S8 (Swimming) Image by David Baird, www.david-baird.co.uk plodding longer than anyone else.

It’s about who can get to the finish line first.

The specific requirements of individual sports are wide and varied and it’s important to analyse and learn more about the physical attributes you need to develop to enhance your own performance in your sport. However, every athlete can improve by dedicating time to a strength and conditioning programme. Endurance athletes need some specific power training and power athletes some specific muscular endurance, but it’s very difficult to develop these from sport training alone. In addition, postural control, stability and robustness all help to prevent injury and maximise performance.

Creating specific adaptation

You get what you train for

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great philosophy for training is to do the least amount you need to and get the most amount of adaptation. This means, being specific. Specificity is an important concept for all the talented and elite disabled athletes oneathlete supports. It’s essential we train in a way that’s going to make a difference while giving our athletes time to rest and recover.

It’s when we rest and sleep after training that our body initiates the specific physiological response to the training we have done and adaptation takes place.

The same applies to anyone who’s training towards a specific goal whether it’s rehabilitation, participation, competition or just wellbeing. Your body will respond to the stress you place on it, but more is not always better.

Specificity applies to not only the type of training we do, but also how we do it. In sport, speed and power are often critical to success.

Athletes who can produce higher amounts of explosive force at key stages of a race or game in comparison to their competitors have an advantage. Consider a swimmer who can explode off the blocks or from a turn, or a wheelchair basketball player who can accelerate quicker than his or her opponent. These are the guys that are hard to beat. But, if you want to be fast you have to train fast. Similarly in endurance sport, the athlete who can run or push faster for longer is likely to do well. Notice there are two key words in that sentence, faster and longer. This means endurance athletes also need to do speed work. Marathons are not a last man standing affair where the winner is the one who can keep

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Creating strength and conditioning training programmes to develop progressive and specific adaptations can be complex, but here are some general guidelines for strength training. We always recommend that you consult your medical practitioner, strength and conditioning coach or personal trainer before starting an exercise programme.

Repetitions, sets, intensity, tempo and rest are known in strength and conditioning as the acute variables. They’re all closely linked and we manipulate them to encourage the body to make a specific adaptation.

Jargon buster Repetitions – the number of times you perform an exercise Sets – the number of times you perform the chosen repetitions Rest – the time between sets Intensity – how light or heavy a weight should be Tempo – the speed at which exercises should be performed Strength Endurance (building muscular endurance): As a guide, use a weight you’re comfortable with to perform 20 to 12 repetitions and 1 to 3 sets, but leaving you suitably fatigued

once you’ve completed your last set. Lower the weight slowly for 4 seconds, pause for 2 seconds and then lift the weight back to the starting position. Keep rest periods to less than 60 seconds.

Hypertrophy (increase muscle mass): Select a weight you can lift for 10 to 6 repetitions and perform 3 to 6 sets. Increasing muscle mass requires increasing the amount of time the muscle is under tension, so lower the weight slowly as with strength endurance. Rest periods should be 30 to 90 seconds.

Maximum Strength (developing explosive force) This requires lifting heavy loads, so ensure you have appropriate training experience by consulting a gym instructor or personal trainer. To ensure adaptation, we recommend using the maximum weight you’re able to lift with good technique to complete 5 to 1 repetitions and 4 to 6 sets. Due to the heavier load, lower the weight under control, but try to lift it as explosively as possible. Rest in between sets for 3 to 5 minutes.

Selecting the right intensity When using weights, select a load that enables you to perform only the target number of repetitions.

If you’re aiming for 10 reps, but using a weight you could lift for 12, then it’s too light. If you can only do 8, it’s too heavy. Find the right weight by gradually increasing the load until you find one that’s comfortable and safe to lift.

Working with oneathlete For support developing and implementing a safe and effective strength and conditioning programme or for information about how you can work with oneathlete please contact us at hello@oneathlete.co.uk.

>> written by Tim Stevenson: Director and Strength and Conditioning Coach at oneathlete

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Wheelchair Tennis I Momentum

NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters

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n November Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park welcomed the world’s best wheelchair tennis players as the Tennis Foundation staged the prestigious NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters – the ITF’s year-end singles championship at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. After five days of thrilling competition Shingo Kunieda from Japan and Aniek van Koot from the Netherlands were crowned men’s and women’s singles champions for the third and first times respectively with Brits Gordon Reid and Jordanne Whiley earning personal best third place finishes.

World no.1 Kunieda comfortably beat France’s Nicolas Peifer 6-1, 6-1 in the men’s final whilst Aniek van Koot claimed her first NEC Masters title, recording a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory over fellow Dutchwoman Jiske Griffioen in the women’s final.

“I am very happy to defend my Masters title and to win three years in a row. I prayed that I would play well today so I am very satisfied with this result,” said Kunieda. “I am always looking to improve myself and

to play better and better tennis. I knew that it would be a hard game against Nicolas today but I knew if I played well enough I would be able to win.”

World No. 3 van Koot had battled back from three match points down against Britain’s Jordanne Whiley in her semi-final, and she avenged her round robin defeat to Griffioen from earlier in the week by claiming victory in three sets.

“I can’t believe it! Jiske beat me comfortably this week in the round robin by big scores so I wasn’t expecting this at all, I’m over the moon,” said van Koot.

“It’s been a bit strange being back – to see the stadium, the tennis venue and the Orbit, it brings back such good memories with my family and with my whole team.

It’s phenomenal to be here. I’ve had a really good time here and it’s a great place for me,” added van Koot.

Returning to the site of the venue which staged the wheelchair tennis event during the London 2012 Paralympics, the NEC Masters event attracted large crowds with many discovering and enjoying wheelchair tennis for the first time. Alongside the tennis on show there was also the chance for children to get involved in and try out all forms of tennis in the Activity Zone with special visits from former British No.1 Anne Keothavong, Judy Murray and wheelchair tennis legend Esther Vergeer throughout the week. Children from local schools undertook the important role of

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ball boys and girls throughout the event – impressing players and spectators with their professionalism and enthusiasm, despite only having a few weeks to pick up the skills.

The event was organised by The Tennis Foundation which is Great Britain’s leading tennis charity and whose vision is a sport which is inclusive and accessible to every kind of community. Since 2012 the Tennis Foundation has created 42 Disability Tennis Networks which work to deliver weekly tennis programmes to increase participation in tennis by disabled people in both integrated and impairment-specific sessions. Wheelchair tennis follows the same rules as non-disabled tennis with one exception in that the ball is allowed to bounce twice.

Whilst offering tennis for any ability, the Tennis Foundation works across four specific disability areas, learning disability, visually impaired, deaf and wheelchair tennis to provide opportunities for everybody to play, volunteer and officiate.

They provide equipment and specialised coaching to encourage more people to get involved in tennis – so if you fancy yourself as the next Paralympic star, want to take up tennis to keep fit and make new friends, or can see yourself in the umpire’s chair, the Tennis Foundation can help you.

Visit www.tennisfoundation.org.uk or email disabilitytennis@tennisfoundation.org.uk to find our nearest session and for all the information you need.

NEWS I Momentum

What is stopping Inclusion in sport for individuals with disabilities?

The blog post focus is from the Twitter site @sport4_all created by myself, bringing together everyone to collaborate on a share resource, to include and engage individuals who have disabilities in sport.

A question was asked via @sport4_all What is stopping Inclusion in sport for individuals with disabilities?

Many different individuals commented, including @TheGolfAcademy1 , @jays_golf & @MikeArmiger.

The above question asked via @sport4_all highlights what is missing in the sports industry and society. Not enough companies, organisations, councils, individuals and many others, ask for the ‘voice’ of the individuals and this question let a number of individuals to listen, teach and share ideas.

Coaches and individuals who have a disability contributed to the question online. With some common thoughts:

“Not enough coaches understanding inclusion or how to coach disabled sports people” This was disturbing, players and participants are the heart and sole of sport, coaches are used as facilitators for some part and therefore, coaches need to be educated to over come the above barrier. This has started, with recent degree courses from universities such as Worcester University offering Disability sport and Science courses. On the other hand, with a course focused on disability sport, will all of the graduates go into disability sport? Not all will, however, they will all have the knowledge and understanding of disability and inclusive sport.

“Many of them (coaches), not all, don’t know how to relate to us (participants) and don’t understand we need a different approach often.”

“Every disability needs a different approach and have to get to know the person and disability to know what works.”

Many coaches do not understand different

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practices and methods. But most importantly, coaches do not understand different communication methods. This will help relate the coach to the participant. From experiences, participants with disabilities do not mind, talking about their impairment and are more than willing to talk about how best to include them in sport. On the other hand, if the coach does not ask, then the participant will not always tell the coach.

This is understandable, if the coach does not make the first effort. Also, depending on age, individuals may not know a lot about their specific disability and therefore, the coach should contact and communicate with their parents/guardians.

“Awareness of what is available for disabled individuals such as the range of impairment specific or disability groups” Coaching an individual is only one part of being a sports coach, other such roles are awareness and offering opportunities for disabled individuals. For example, if the participant does not want to compete then the coach should know where they could play and who to get in touch with. A proactive manor can only help and reassure the individual.

“Coaches would not treat them differently to any other individual, coaching a disabled participant is no different” “Needless fear of putting performers at risk sometimes.

Some see barriers before opportunity to include and succeed. Not me!”

These were interesting comments, as society has changed some what since the Paralympics in London 2012, individuals have been taken forward towards disabled individuals. However, there are still coaches who do have barriers to coaching a disabled individual. This is because of many different

circumstances such as a lack of training, confidence and it is also something un-natural for some coaches. Coaches are put in their comfort zones by coaching companies and other opportunities and therefore, coaches do not re- train in another area of sport. Furthermore, coaches with specific disability sport experience are short and hard to find. And therefore, staff with a lack of experience and training are told to coach.

“Inclusion means included so do stuff to bring disabled and abled together.”

Many organisations, sports clubs and individual groups do not think about this topic above. The topic being, including all individuals, with a disability or not. An interesting concept, I have not seen this before, apart from a disability sports club I run.

Where I promote an inclusive sports club, offering sessions for disabled individuals, their parents and siblings. Parents and siblings always mention how good it is, to participate in sport all together as a family.

However, many other clubs and organisations do not offer this.

If Inclusion cannot be made available, how can it be achieved?

Referenced used: Davies, R. (2002). Inclusion through sports: A guide to enhancing sport experiences.

Human Kinetics Tilstone, C., Florian, L., & Rose, R. (2002). Promoting Inclusive Practice. British Journal of Educational Studies

Please get in touch with your thoughts, opinions and questions: Tweet - @sport4_all or @Jakepryszlak Email: jake@sport4-all.co.uk Website: sport4-all.co.uk

Mifinder I Momentum

Mifinder Mobile App Connects Wheelchair Users as free instant messaging and social media links, as well as a unique live global search feature, this provides countless opportunities for not only organising sports events and finding new members for teams, but also for simply making meaningful connections and sharing local information. Users are free to chat to as many people as they like, from near and far.

The global search feature can be used to search for other wheelchair users before visiting a new location, either on holiday or if you are moving, meaning you can learn access information, and discover opportunities for wheelchair sports, from experienced locals before you travel.

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he creators of community networking platform Mifinder have made it easier for people with a variety of life experiences, including wheelchair users, to meet each other in realtime. Now, thanks to Mifinder’s free mobile application, wheelchair users can find each other in an instant, based

on location – to organise team events and sports, for sharing access information, or just for socialising.

Mifinder tackles the problem of having to wait for scheduled group meetings to find peers from specific backgrounds. Rather than go to message-boards or attend events, it allows users to find

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other individuals based on its super-specific search filters.

These filters include “Life Experiences”, such as being a wheelchair user, coping with parenting and more – as well as a variety of ethnic, religious and other categories.

Boasting many features seen in multi-million pound social discovery apps, such

The project was founded by CEO Gabriel Saclain, who saw the need for diverse community connections when working with local communities in East Sussex for over a decade. It comes from an understanding that it can be difficult to find people in local areas based on diverse backgrounds – and that those with disabilities are especially under-supported in forming new community connections – even though these backgrounds can create the most important connections.

Mifinder can be downloaded for free at www.mifinder.co

I Momentum

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SE COMPE OUR ET ON P ITION AG E 43

Residential Sports Opportunities in Hereford The Royal National College for the Blind boasts facilities that match many competitive sports venues across the UK. With fully accessible, en-suite accommodation and a menu to suit all dietary requirements, it’s easy to see why we enjoy such an excellent reputation for hosting major national and international sports events.

So if you are considering organising a residential competition or training event, why not give us a call?  Multi-sport facilities including netball, football, goalball and

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Let our experienced staff take the stress out of organising your event and make it the success you want it to be.

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Disability Sport Wales I Momentum

Partnerships with Health

Disability Sport Wales: Transforming lives through the power of sport will be identified and given appropriate information in relation to getting active again.

In my younger childhood days there was no such information available, and only by luck did I find out about opportunities to take part in sport.

I urge everyone to get behind this campaign, and hopefully they will not only get every disabled person hooked on sport for life, they might find a few Paralympians as well!”

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he benefits of being physically activity are compelling, reducing the risk of many diseases, including some cancers, vascular disease and dementia, reducing the risk of stress, depression and even premature death. This raises concerns when there is still a lag between disabled and non-disabled populations who are physically active. Health and Sport networks need to work more effectively together to address this problem. This is something Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, in North Wales, and Disability Sport Wales have started to achieve through their new partnership, the Health Disability Sport Pathway.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Disability Sport Wales are celebrating the end of their first year in partnership, having joined forces to support more disabled people across North Wales to become physically active, and play sport. The project is the first of its kind in Wales, and is supported by a Sport Wales Calls4Action grant.

Health and sport professionals have been work closely together to double the number of disabled people who are physically active in North Wales by the end of 2016.

It is also hoped that five performance level athletes will be found, potentially going on to join the likes of Aled Sion Davies and represent Wales at future sporting events.

Through educating health professionals about physical activity opportunities, the project will see disabled people within the area being able to lead an improved and healthier lifestyle, reaping the benefits of becoming more active. This year has seen over 200 disabled people signposted from health towards sport and physical activity.

Catherine Chin, Health Disability Sport Officer for the Health Board said “Over 450 clinicians have already attended the sessions” The project will help disabled people to become more active, just like 9 year old Ana Blease, who recently represented

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Wales under 15’s in Wheelchair basketball. Ana said: “We have just come back from Stoke Mandeville where the team were placed 6th- the best Wales under 15s have ever done, and because I am only 9 I could be playing in the junior championship for the next 10 years.”

“It’s really fun and I’ve made loads of new friends.”

“I’m really proud of what I have achieved. It’s great to learn new things while having loads of fun with my friends.”

Aled Sion Davies, Paralympian and World Record Holder, Team Wales’ Commonwealth Games 2014 Captain and silver medallist, is also in support of the partnership, he said: “It’s great to see Disability Sport Wales working in partnership with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to promote physical activity and sport to patients with impairments, or those who have newly acquired disabilities.

By up-skilling their workforce this will ensure any patient within the Health Board

Iain Mitchell, Clinical Director of Therapy Services at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Chair of the Executive Group for this combined initiative, said: Therapy Services within Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board firmly believe in the importance of the public health priorities in North Wales.

Improving the wellbeing of our people by increasing access to sport and physical activity should be part of our core business’.

All partners in the project, BCUHB, Disability Sport Wales and Sport Wales are committed to making a positive change and looking at new ways of working in order to ensure greater access to opportunities and the transformation of lives through sport.

To find out more about the partnership visit www.wales.nhs.uk/dsw, or call Catherine Chin on 07557312526.

You can find a club near you by visiting disabilitysportwales.com

Scottish Disability Sport I Momentum

Inspiring Through Inclusion the event is evident with the attendance growing to over one hundred. It is a partnership event with clubs and governing bodies delivering a variety of sports sessions to secondary school age children with physical and sensory impairments.

The regional manager focusses on the needs of athletes with talent and adopts a multi-agency approach to identify and deliver programmes that support athletes to realise their potential. Some of the needs of athletes may be; a coach, coaching environment, education programmes for their coach, funding support, support to access specialist equipment and relevant competition opportunities to name but a few.

Some key successes achieved by the regional team in the last year have been;

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cottish Disability Sport is the Scottish Governing Body of all sports for people of all ages with a physical, sensory or learning disability.

Through the current strategic plan “Inspiring Through Inclusion” Scottish Disability Sport develops opportunities and improves performance in sport for children athletes and players through a regional manager structure.

With funding from sportscotland regional managers are employed across six regions of Scotland. They work in partnership with thirteen member branches, thirty- two local authorities and over twenty Scottish Governing Bodies to influence an inclusive approach to the development of sporting pathways.

Regional managers work in partnership to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to try sport and support them to realise their potential and progress to performance programmes. One such programme is a Parasport Festival Programme SDS Regional Managers organise across Scotland. Since the inception of the Regional Team four Parasport Festivals have been organised in the West of Scotland. The success of

• 252 young disabled people have attended para sport development days run across 5 SDS regions.

• 83 young disabled people have attended 8 Talent Development Days in 8 sports across 4 SDS regions • SDS Regional Managers in 5 regions are working in partnership with sportscotland Regional Coaching and Volunteering Partnership Managers to support 79 coaches through Coaching Talent Programmes • 39 new athletes and players have progressed into regional squads or individual support programme in the sports of Athletics, Archery, Boccia, Cycling, Judo Football, Swimming and Wheelchair Basketball • 20 of Scotland’s most promising athletes in 8 sports looking to make the transition onto UK programmes are being supported through the SDS Athlete Academy.

• 55% of Academy athletes were identified and supported through the Regional Structure, an increase of 22% on last year • 40% of athletes that have progressed to UK programmes this year have been supported by regional managers

>> Case Study Martin Perry (Identified and Supported by a Regional Manager)

This is a case study of Martin Perry who was identified at a Scottish Disability Sport Parasport Festival in the West of Scotland. This case study typically exemplifies the role a regional manager will play in supporting athletes.

Martin Perry is a triple amputee who was fully included in his mainstream PE sessions. He was identified by his Active School Co-ordinator and encouraged to attend a Paralympic Pathway Festival organised by the Regional Managers for the West of Scotland - he was supported by a Regional Manager to attend Drumchapel Table Tennis Club. As Martin required a prosthetic attachment for the table tennis bat the Regional Manager supported him to access support from the Southern General Hospital Prosthetics Department to develop a specially designed attachment. Martin very quickly progressed to be selected for the National Table Tennis Squad in 2010 and the SDS Academy. His hard work and determination paid off by being selected for the GB Pathways Squad in 2013 – his dream being to represent GB in the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics (Rio 2016). On top of this he has gained qualifications to coach the younger members of the club and is pursuing a career in sport by going to university to do a degree in sports coaching. Watch this space for an incredibly inspiring young man in Rio 2016.

If you or any one you are aware of in Scotland would like to get involved in disability sport telephone Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 317 1130 or email

admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com

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Disability Sport NI I Momentum

Northern Ireland Junior Paralympic Fun Day 2014 sport >> Participants try our Archery at the

Northern Ireland Junior Paralympic Fun Day.

The Northern Ireland Junior Paralympic Fun Day is aimed at children and young people with physical disabilities between the ages of 5 and 17. This year’s event was staged at the Antrim Forum on Saturday, 27th September. The 50 young people who attended, had the opportunity to socialise, make new friends and learn new skills whilst having the opportunity to try their hand at 8 different sports – Athletics, Archery, Boccia, Football (Powerchair & Ambulant), Table Tennis, Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Rugby.

Northern Ireland Open Swim Championships 2014

Joe Graham – An Inspirational Volunteer We are delighted that long standing volunteer Joe Graham has been recognised by receiving the Springboard Opportunities - Community Inspiration Sports Coach of the Year Award to recognise the outstanding effort he puts in to help people with disabilities to get involved with and take part in sport.

Joe initiated the beginnings of the Lightning Powerchair Football Club and is also a coach to the Fermanagh Boccia Club based at the Lakeland Forum in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. Joe truly is one of our disability sport ‘champions’.

2014.15 Northern Ireland Boccia Programme The new Boccia season has recently got underway in Northern Ireland with two rounds of the Ulster Boccia league taking place in Larne and Antrim. 7 clubs are competing for league honours this season with the Craigavon Jacks looking to defend their title which they won for the first time last season.

The Ulster Squad continue to train on a monthly basis in Belfast with players being selected for the squad from the 7 regional clubs in Northern Ireland.

Disability Sport NI was delighted to welcome swimmers to the new, state of the art competition pool at Bangor Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex on Saturday 15th November for the annual Northern Ireland Open Swimming Championships. The event, which is in its 16th year, was as popular as ever with over 150 swimmers or all ages and abilities taking to the water during the course of the day.

For many of the participants, the championships provides a fun introduction to competitive swimming, with volunteers working hard to ensure that first time competitors have a stress-free experience, while for others it’s the first step towards para-swimming.

>> Newry and Mourne

Sportability swimmers with Disability Sport NI Chairperson Angela Hendra MBE after receiving their medals.

What’s On in Northern Ireland 22.01.15 – NI Special Schools Boccia Championships 2015.

10.02.15 – NI Senior Boccia Championships 2015 03.03.15 – NI Special Schools Sports Hall Athletes Championships 2015 07.03.15 – Disability Sport NI Ulster Boccia League Finals 2015.

>> Joe Graham pictured with his family and Dame Mary Peters.

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Find out more about these events and Disability Sport NI at www.dsni.co.uk

EFDS I Momentum

Being Active guide supports disabled people to enjoy a more active lifestyle it gives a feel for the endless choices available when thinking about the possibilities.

Being Active has been produced by and for people with lived experience of disability or health conditions.

They include Chris Ratcliffe, EFDS’s Director of Development.

Ahead of the publication, Chris said:

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new guide released ahead of International Day for Disabled People supports more disabled people to enjoy an active lifestyle.

Being Active, unveiled today by the English Federation of Disability Sport in partnership with Disability Rights UK, talks directly to disabled people. It gives inactive disabled people access to relevant information, so they have control over where and how they can start being active.

Research shows that most disabled people are not as active as they would like to be.

According to Sport England’s Active People Survey four out of five disabled people take little or no exercise. But that is not because disabled people do not want to be active. The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) Lifestyle Report, released in 2013, found that seven in ten disabled people want to increase their physical activity.

The national charity recognised Wednesday 3 December is International Day of Disabled People with the release of the Being Active publication. It aims to improve the number of disabled people choosing to lead an active lifestyle and provides enough guidance on where to start.

Disability Rights UK teamed up with EFDS to ensure the guide reaches more disabled people across the country. In the concise, reader-friendly publication,

“We’re proud to release Being Active in time for such a notable day for disabled people. Inactive disabled people have individual reasons why their experiences have meant they have stopped doing, do not want to or feel they can not access sport or physical activity. This guide is fantastic because it doesn’t supply endless pages of links, opportunities or reasons why disabled people should be active. It provides a range of ideas and tips for leading a healthier lifestyle.”

International Day for Disabled People is a United Nations sanctioned day that aims to promote an understanding of disabled people and encourage support. Every year, EFDS encourages sport and physical activity providers to improve and increase their opportunities for disabled people.

The Being Active guide is available in accessible PDF and EasyRead formats. Download it on www.efds.co.uk

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 21

Bodyflow I Momentum

Bodyflow & the Performance Clinic… reduction in pain and thereby improved function.”

Penny was also the chief physiotherapist at the Invictus Games, the inaugural event held at the London Olympic Park.

>> Penny Macutkiewicz with her medical team at the Invictus games

T

he performance Clinic is a world class, multi disciplinary sports physiotherapy clinic based in the North East.

Its’ focus is on an integrated team approach in injury management; assessing, treating and rehabilitating injuries, whilst analysing the cause and offering a complete package of care to prevent further injuries.

>> Joe Townsend with Penny Macutkiewicz

Over the past few months, the Performance Clinics’ team of Elite Physiotherapists have trialled Bodyflow Therapy devices across a range of patients after Clinic Director Penny Macutkiewicz became aware of the therapy and it’s adoption across elite Sports.

Penny is a highly qualified and successful Sports Physiotherapist who has worked in elite sport since 2002 and works with UK Athletics, British Swimming, British Rowing and the English Institute of Sport. Penny regularly travels the world to support the Great Britain Team and has worked at the Summer and Winter Paralympics (Beijing and Turin and London 2012), the Youth Olympics (Finland) the World University Games, World Athletics Championships, World Swimming Championships, Grand Prix events and European Championships.

Penny has also worked on the World Grand Prix Circuit for World Superbikes, was Lead physiotherapist for Team GB Taekwondo and is currently the Lead Physio for British Paratriathlon.

“We trialled the BF at The Performance Clinic on post operative clients, acute injuries and patients with lymphoedema.

All staff trialled the equipment and found it simple and practical to use. We had positive results in terms of reduced swelling in a shorter amount of time and with a reduction in swelling comes a

22 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

“My role throughout the games was to ensure the athletes have enough support as possible. “Some teams did not bring a doctor or physio and myself and my team were there to make sure each person has the right provision. I have over 10 years experience working in Paralympic sport, having been to 3 Paralympic Games, multiple Paralympic World Cups and european champs and now being the Lead physiotherapist for British Para Triathlon I have seen elite sport at its very best. It also means I like to use the most up to date equipment, which can have maximum impact on athletes. I have started to use BF with our triathlete team and I also used it at the Invictus Games.

Although opportunities to utilize the devices were limited the athlete feedback and anecdotal results were positive.”

“I have also started using the BF with our elite Para Triathlon squad, post operatively and on acute injuries. It is still early days to gain conclusive evidence but from what I have seen our athletes tolerate it really well, and I am encouraged by the effect it has on swelling. We are currently using it on one of our elite triathletes who was also star of the Invictus Games, Joseph Townsend and will be able to report back its effects soon... Watch this space.”

The Performance Clinic looks after the regional Olympic and Paralympic athletes, GB Rowers, regional swimmers and keen amateur athletes. But the clinic is open to everyone young and old. This means all patients can experience the same level of world-class therapy as an elite athlete. This does not mean you need to be an athlete. It means that the level of knowledge, care and expertise we provide you with is elite level. Whether your goal is Rio 2016 or lifting your grandchild, we are here to help you live a pain free and fully functional life.

For more information on Bodyflow Therapy visit www.bodyflowinternational. com or to enquire about treatment at the Performance Clinc visit www.theperformanceclinic.co.uk

Prosthetic protection increasingly important as costs soar with growing sophistication

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dvances in prosthetic technologies are enabling amputees to enjoy more active and comfortable lives as specialist devices enable them to pursue their favoured sports and leisure pursuits.

Thanks to the incorporation of powerful microprocessor controls, Bluetooth functionality, and other sophisticated technologies, modern prostheses bear little resemblance to the rudimentary devices of yesteryear.

But with that growing sophistication comes growing cost. “The price ceiling for an above-the-knee prosthesis a few years ago was around £25,000. The cost now is nearing treble that figure,” comments Scott Richardson of leading independent rehabilitation providers, Pace Rehabilitation. “Today, a microprocessor controlled above-the-knee prosthesis, which can be used underwater, costs close to £70,000.”

A large proportion of Pace’s clients were fit and active individuals prior to their injuries and have a litigation claim supporting their rehabilitation costs. Without the financial constraints of statutory provision through the NHS, they can be provided with the most clinically appropriate prostheses to give them with the best opportunity to return to their pre-accident position as possible.

“Some of our clients are literally climbing Everest, going to the South Pole and running marathons, so we are experienced in providing high end kit to meet our patient’s very high expectations and demands.”

Scott - himself a below-the-knee amputee following a motorcycle accident at the Isle of Man TT races in 2000 – points out that many of Pace’s clients also own not one but several prostheses. “A typical provision would be three prostheses, one for everyday use, a cosmetically covered device, perhaps for ‘Sunday best’ and a water activity limb.

The discounted premium cover for multiple devices will therefore be welcomed by our patients,” he explains.

Some patients have more still, as Scott explains: “We have one patient who has 12 devices. He does mountain biking, skiing, running and rollerblading and, because he’s doing a lot of these activities abroad, he has justified the need to have back up limbs.

There’s no point in him travelling half way around the world to compete in an event if his prosthesis develops a problem, resulting in him being unable to compete. So he has doubled up on a lot of his devices.”

The combination of growing cost and multiple ownership means amputees are increasingly financially exposed. “If someone has invested tens of thousands of pounds on a prosthesis and it gets lost or irreparably damaged, I expect they would appreciate some form of insurance.”

In the past, that exposure has been exacerbated by difficulties in securing suitable insurance. Historically Pace advised its patients to contact their home insurance company, but this was not without difficulties.

“Sometimes insurers simply would not be prepared to include a prosthesis as part of their cover. Or they would heavily load the premium. Some patients even reported that their insurer said ‘yes, that’s fine as long as the leg doesn’t leave the home’!”

It’s for this reason that Pace welcomed the arrival earlier this year of a dedicated prosthetic insurance policy – the UK’s first. Launched by disability specialist Fish Insurance this will, as standard, cover prostheses valued up to £55,000 and offer bespoke protection for higher value devices.

The policy, which costs from £99 annually, also protects orthotic devices such as braces for the spine, upper and lower limbs, feet, knees and ankles.

“We introduced the policy having realised from discussion with amputees that the existing insurance provision was pretty woeful, especially in the light of the growing cost of prostheses,” explained Fish’s managing director, John Garrard. “The difficulties presented in securing adequate

24 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

cover meant that amputees faced not just a potentially significant financial loss, but the loss of their independence.”

Scott agrees. “To be honest, it was incredible that there wasn’t insurance for prosthetic cover available before the Fish policy. We feel a lot more reassured that our clients now have access to a policy to specific cover their considerable investment in their prosthetic devices.”

But it’s not just cost, but the inconvenience which irks amputees if they are without their specialist prosthetics. That issue was brought home to Scott when a friend, a Paralympian athlete, had his car stolen. Inside the £300 vehicle was his £16,000 running blade. The loss of the car didn’t unduly bother him, but the loss of the blade obviously did.

“If, for whatever reason, someone loses or damages their prosthesis, they literally want get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

So being able to talk to someone who deals specifically with prosthetic cover has to be beneficial.”

• Founded in 2003, Pace Rehabilitation is a clinician-led provider of specialist prosthetics, orthotics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and therapeutic services. It serves amputees from a National Referral Centre and clinic in Cheadle, Cheshire and clinics in Chesham Bucks and Newcastleupon-Tyne. For further details visit www.pacerehab.com • Established as a disability insurance specialist in 1976, Fish Insurance today protects over 75,000 people with disabilities or mobility issues. For details of the company’s new prosthetic insurance and other specialist policies visit www.fishinsurance.co.uk

WHEELS Registered Charity No: 1116988

MATTERS www.wdsauk.co.uk

Š

CONTENTS Welcome to the third edition of WheelsMatters from WDSA (UK), we are currently working hard towards all our 2015 plans and events, with our main aim in mind to promote and develop wheelchair dance sport around the UK, while raising the standards of instructors and competitions.

We make every effort to ensure these magazines are filled with what’s going on. Please remember we love to hear from you any information, feedback or ideas for future issues would be welcome.

New Groups In recent months we’ve had many new groups start all over the UK, from Kidderminster to London there are new classes starting in Lambeth, Camden, Wimbledon and more. Soon to be open are groups in Birmingham, Slough, Essex and Letchworth Garden City.

For all the relevant information on groups near you please see find a group at: www.wdsauk.co.uk/ wheelchair-dance-sport/find-a-branch/

Weymouth Competition Spectator For 50% off your tickets call or email the offce uotiing SPECMOMENFOUR15 *Max purchase 6 tickets

Dates for your diary 2015

02. Introduction and WDSA (UK) upcoming events 03. Meet the Volunteer’s 04. Can dance improve one’s quality of life?

By Jasmine Panayides 06. The Latest PR from WDSA (UK) 07. Hi, I’m Tedwood, and welcome to my page!

Below is where we’ll be over the next few months, for more information on each event please see the latest news section on our website 20-01-15 - Taster Session – Holywell Centre Watford, Hertfordshire 24-01-15 - Sporting Saturday Peterborough 24-01-15 - Taster Session – English Institute of Sport, Sheffield 31-01-15 - Taster Session – Jackmans Centre, Letchworth Garden City 23-02-15 - Wheelchair Dance Health Conference, Holywell Community Centre, Watford, Herts.

13th- 15th February 2015 - MOVE IT, London Olympia 07-03-15 – Debutante Competition Weymouth Pavilion

02 I WHEELS MATTERS I www.wdsauk.co.uk

Meet the volunteer’s Last issue we gave you a sneak peak of the individuals working for the WDSA (UK). We also promised you that we were going to let you meet our volunteers. So ‘ta da’, here we will reveal a couple of our dedicated volunteers and provide you with a little insight of their life and how they help the WDSA (UK).

Iain Richards Iain has recently taken his GCSE’S and is going to Elstree UTC to study A Level Media Studies, Drama and Film Studies, with a view to go to University or straight to the industry at Elstree Studios. He has also appeared in performances such as Oliver Twist. Iain produces most of the videos for the WDSA (UK) which can be seen on social media and is currently producing many more.

Emma-Hope Newitt

Jasmine Panayides

Having just graduated from Coventry University with an Upper Second Class with Honours Degree in Dance, Making and Performance, Emma-Hope has continued to make inclusive dance practice at the forefront of her interests as a emerging dance artist/practitioner.

Currently in her final year of Bsc (Hons) Psychology.

Emma has worked alongside Foundation for Community Dance in Leicester for the past 12 months as their intern and assistant to the Producer of Dance, Deaf and Disabled People. Whilst she is very busy she enjoys blogging for us here at WDSA and hopes to have her own Wheelchair Dance classes available in Leicester in 2015.

Jasmine is interested in the psychological benefits of wheelchair dance and focuses on promoting wheelchair dance.

Being part of the marketing team, Jasmine helps with the production of the marketing materials and enjoys working with the WDSA (UK) team.

She believes that volunteering with the WDSA (UK) has helped her pursue her interests.

Mohammed Kazmi Mohammed is currently in his second year at West Herts College studying information technology and is planning to apply for an apprentice next year or attend university. Mohammed is the website admin for the WDSA (UK) and produces and all the website material.

Follow Us: @WDSAUK I WHEELS MATTERS I 03

Can dance improve one’s quality of life? By Jasmine Panayides Emily, an elderly lady well into her eighties suffering from dementia and arthritis uses a wheelchair to get around. Her care staff at the home she resides in agreed take part in a research programme being run by the national association for wheelchair dance concerning the psychological benefits of wheelchair dance.

4 out of 5 physically disabled people take part in NO sport or physical activity. efds.com At first Emily was curled up in her wheelchair and did not seem to take any notice of her surroundings in any way. However, just a few minutes of music being played she looked up and

the care staff decided that they would try pushing her along to one of the dances to see what would happen.

staff continued to see improvements in Emily and all the residents taking part in the dance sessions.

She continued to be aware of her surroundings and started to use the one hand available to her to engage with the instructor and her fellow residents. The following week when the instructor arrived for the next session, Emily was already in the room waiting for the dance to start! She was more psychologically aware of her surroundings and enjoyed herself so much, along with the other residents that a few care staff had decided that they would train to become instructors in order to pursue weekly sessions of movement to music at the care home.

The staff also commented that after the session was over, Emily continued to talk and even describe the dancing to her daughter when she arrived for a visit. Her daughter was delighted with the definite change in her mother and four weeks into the project the

This case study is a classic example suggesting how wheelchair dance can improve the psychological well-being of dancers in wheelchairs. Therefore research was found to support the experiences obtained from dancers such as Emily.

04 I WHEELS MATTERS I www.wdsauk.co.uk

Dance and sociability One of the main wheelchair dance genres is ballroom dance. Dance, especially ballroom dance mostly requires the use of a dance partner.

A qualitative study by Lima & Viera (2007) found that by providing 60 elderly Brazilian women ballroom classes twice a week over a course of a year; improved their quality of life, with one of the main themes along with admitting that dance transported

them to a world of happiness were the opportunities for socialization. Thus dance makes participants happier with themselves and the fact that it includes the interaction with other people may be a key point.

64% of disabled people would prefer to take part in physical activity with a mixed group of disabled and non-disabled people. efds.com Dance and stress Social well-being is not the only factor that dancing has in improving the quality of life of dancers. Nevertheless, it has also been seen that dance can decrease the amount of stress one may hold (Brauninger, 2012). 97 participants diagnosed with stress were admitted to Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) compared to 65 controls (did not dance). The researcher provided the participants with 10 sessions of dance movement therapy over 3 months, where they would complete questionnaires a week before the DMT, after the 10 week session (short term treatment effects) and after 6 months

of completion (long term treatment effects). Results found that DMT had a significant effect over the participants to the controls and that it was effective both in the short-term and the long-term. Thus, indicating that dance movement therapy is successful in decreasing ones stress they may hold in their everyday life.

Dance and depression Stress is known to be highly correlated with depression. Research has been conducted proving that dance can therapeutically help break clinical depression (Koch et al., 2007). Having found that after a 30 minute dance to traditional Jewish folk automatically improved the moods of the clinically depressed participants recruited, the researchers were sceptical on whether it was the bubbly music causing the excitement or the dancing themselves.

They split their 31 participants into two groups; dancing group and music group. The dancing group would dance to the music whilst the other condition would simply sit and listen to the lively song. Results indicated that in fact those in the music condition actually became more depressed whilst the dance group had projected improvement. Therefore it is evident that dancing and the movement of the body to the rhythm of the music has an actual effect on the mood of the participants, rather than the music playing a key role.

Overall, through a simple case study and empirical evidence it is evident

that indeed dance (wheelchair dance) can enhance ones quality of life in many different ways. So come along and be stress free with our wheelchair dance classes.

For more information on wheelchair dance classes please contact 0300 111 30 45 or visit www.wdsauk.co.uk

References: Br채uninger, I. (2012). The efficacy of dance movement therapy group on improvement of quality of life: A randomized controlled trial. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 39(4), 296-303.

Lima, M. M. S., & Vieira, A. P. (2007).

Ballroom dance as therapy for the elderly in Brazil. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 29(2), 129-142 Koch, S. C., Morlinghaus, K., & Fuchs, T. (2007). The joy dance: Specific effects of a single dance intervention on psychiatric patients with depression.

The Arts in Psychotherapy, 34(4), 340-349

Follow Us: @WDSAUK I WHEELS MATTERS I 05

The Latest PR from WDSA (UK) Congratulations to Paula Moulton and Gary Lyness

Allied Mobility Sponsor Wheelchair Dance Sport Association (UK)

Who represented GB at the IPC European Wheelchair Dance Sport Championship last weekend.

The Wheelchair Dance Sport Association WDSA (UK) is proud to announce its first major sponsor Allied Mobility, the leading wheelchair accessible vehicles specialist for the UK and Ireland. This is a great opportunity for the WDSA (UK), as Allied Mobility is not only supporting the charity financially but has also agreed to be the first sponsor of one of our biggest upcoming events in Luton 2015.

The competition in Lomianki ran from 8th -9th November and featured around 110 athletes from nearly 20 countries.

Gary said “We were thrilled to represent Team GB at the European Championships in Poland last weekend, it is a historic moment for the UK to finally have competitors who have danced their way up through the ranks to this level of competing. We are very happy with our performance having reached the quarter final placing 12th overall in Latin Combi 2.” Paula commented “We know who we have to beat now just above us in competitions, so we are working hard on our training and technique to progress further.”

Paula and Gary represented GB in the Combi Latin class 2 and came twelve against eventual winners Ryzhkova and Osipov, silver medallists Sedakov and Kukushina and Karpinski, this time dancing with Nadine Kinczel, winning another bronze.

Christa Udell, Ballroom and Latin Director for the WDSA (UK) openheartedly admitted that ‘the work that Paula and Gary have put in has shown a great achievement and dedication to the couple’s willingness to become the best at Combi Latin for GB. We look forward to seeing them compete in more competitions to follow in 2015.

Allied Mobility is headquartered in Coventry, with an annual turnover of £89 million, employing over 460 people. Vehicle design and production are centred at its 20-acre manufacturing plant in Glasgow. A Motability Premier Partner, Allied offer a range of wheelchair access vehicles for sale to private individuals and families and for hospitals, schools, care homes, community transport and other public and voluntary sector organisations. All of its wheelchair accessible vehicles are available to buy, rent or via the Motability Scheme.

HMS Mobility Partners with Wheelchair Dance Sport Association (UK) The Wheelchair Dance Sport Association WDSA (UK) is also ecstatic to publicise a partnership between HMS Mobility Solutions Ltd, a family run mobility company supplying made to measure prescriptive mobility equipment for adults and children.

This is a great partnership and not only have HMS Mobility provided our National Trainer with new wheelchair spoke protectors to show their support (see picture) but also offer a 10%

06 I WHEELS MATTERS I www.wdsauk.co.uk

discount to our members on future wheelchair spoke protectors ordered.

To place your order please visit their online shop www.hmsmobility.com where you will see a wide range of designs or for a little extra you can email your design and make your very own spoke protectors, sales@hmsmobility.co.uk Also if any members in the South West are looking for a new Otto bock wheelchair it may be worth making contact with HMS Mobility and remember to say that you are a member of WDSA. HMS Mobility are a family run mobility company supplying made to measure prescriptive mobility equipment for adults and children in Devon, Dorset, Gloucester, Hampshire, Somerset and parts of South Wales. They are also the specialist dealers for Otto Bock in the South West and operate from offices near the historic town of Glastonbury in Somerset.

Hi, I’m Tedwood, and welcome to my page!

As you all may know, I am the mascot for the WDSA (UK) and I love to dance with all of the junior members, helping to promote wheelchair and disability dance.

In every publication, my friends at the WDSA will have lots of fun games and activities for us to enjoy, as well as stories and competitions and even the chance for you to claim your very own Tedwood bear!

Cut out the special TEDWOOD token below Collect 3 Tedwood Tokens over 2015 publications and send them to TEDWOOD TOKENS, 524 St Albans Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD24 7RX. To claim your very own TEDWOOD BEAR!

I love to get your stories, pictures and drawings, so please keep sending them in to tedwood@wdsauk.co.uk or post them to our local head office. The one below is from an A level art student drawing Tedwood dancing. She makes me look so cuddly and fluffy; I just can’t wait to see more drawings and pictures of me.

You can also come to my special page www.tedwood.wdsauk.co.uk/index.html where you can find out what I have been doing and join in on my adventures.

SAMBA Each time we will take a look at one of my favourite dances, and this time it is…. SAMBA! DID YOU KNOW??

*Valid until March 2016photocopies not acceptable

Competition!

Illustration by Neneh Panayides

Which daice ngroup is the Samba a member of? a) BALLROOM b) LATIN AMERICAN c) DISCO FREESTYLE Seid your aiswer to tedwood@wdsauk.co.uk or post to TEDWOOD COMPETITION to our local head offce with your iame, address aid ange

Samba is a dance from the Latin American group. It is believed to have originated in Africa, but is best known for being danced in Brazil, which is a country in South America. I love Samba because it is BOUNCY and LIVELY and I get to SPIN round and round!

Some names of steps in Samba are: BOTA FOGO VOLTA SAMBA SIDE STEP CORTA JACA WHISK Can you find these words in my word search?

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Tedwood Token

Entrants must be aged 2-16

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Follow Us: @WDSAUK I WHEELS MATTERS I 07

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SPECIAL OLYMPICS GB ENJOYS CAPITAL GAINS FOR ATHLETES WITH AN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY of Sport England funding which has provided a further boost to people with intellectual disabilities.

As part of Sport England’s awarding of £2.1 million from National Lottery funding to help increase participation in sport for disabled people, Mencap and Special Olympics GB working under the banner of the English Learning Disability Sports Alliance - will receive £401,153 over the next three years.

Autumn was another incredibly busy period for Special Olympics Great Britain.

One of the highlights was when over 200 young athletes from London with intellectual disabilities had the opportunity to try out a variety of different sports at a free Activity Festival held at The Copper Box Arena at The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The event, organised by Special Olympics GB, was aimed at raising awareness of the English Learning Disability Sport Alliance (ELDSA) - a breakthrough partnership between Special Olympics GB and Mencap to reach and

support individuals aged 13 years and upwards with an intellectual (learning) disability in becoming and staying active.

The participants took part in one hour sessions in athletics, basketball, badminton and boccia - and were also able to try out indoor rowing and canoeing, tennis and a variety of other sports.

This London based project was also being kindly supported and funded by the Greater London Authority. Also on the day, ELDSA launched a new guide to support people to find and access activity in their local area.

This initiative comes hot on the heels of further great news for the ELDSA. Mencap and Special Olympics GB are delighted to be recognised in the latest round

Sport England will be directly funding eight national disability sports organisations (NDSOs) between October 2014 and 2017 to advise, support and guide other sports bodies as they create opportunities for disabled people to take part in sport.

The funding will provide impairment-specific support to National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and deliver engagement programmes.

The funding which the ELDSA receives will benefit people with intellectual disabilities in the following ways: • The creation of local ‘Delivery Networks’ bringing a range of organisations together to work in partnership to offer new opportunities for people with an intellectual disability to regularly participate in sport • Giving support and training to mainstream sports providers to help them include people with an intellectual disability within their clubs

• Making people with an intellectual disability – and their families are carers - aware of the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle • Signposting people with an intellectual disability to local opportunities to participate in sport Karen Wallin, Special Olympics GB, commented: “We are delighted to have received this funding from Sport England.

Participation rates for people with an intellectual disability are significantly below those of the general population and this will help us to address this.

“This award is also recognition of the importance of the ground-breaking partnership between Special Olympics GB and Mencap in forming the English Learning Disability Sports Alliance to create equality of opportunity for people with an intellectual disability.”

Special Olympics GB is the largest registered charity providing year round sports training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities in England, Scotland and Wales.

Mencap Sport works with the governing bodies of sport and other sports providers to promote opportunities for people with an intellectual disability at all levels. Mencap believes that people with an intellectual disability should have the same opportunities to participate, enjoy and excel in sport at all levels.

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 33

IFI I Momentum

Way to go this winter:

getting active over Christmas and equipment choice, with a range of IFI accredited fitness equipment as well as highly trained gym staff on site.

However, if you do brave the great outdoors you will feel the benefit, not just in terms of improved fitness but also mental wellbeing. Fresh air and that bright winter sun are the perfect remedy for conditions such as season affective disorder or other anxieties.

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he Festive season is fast approaching, followed by the traditional rush to exercise and, if you feel the need, to lose a little weight. The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) provides the perfect chance to get active this winter.

In fact, scientists say that despite cooler temperatures and nasty weather, winter is the best time of year to take up physical activity. Your body actually burns more calories when exercising in the cold as you need to move more to stay warm, and the more you move the more endorphins you generate.

So if you get exercising this winter, the happier you’ll be!

Whether you fancy taking up ice sledge hockey or trying your hand at wheelchair curling, there’s something for everyone.

IFI, a programme managed by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), has been running for a decade - it helps organisations provide disabled people with opportunities to engage in accessible physical activity.

If exercising outdoors this winter seems scary, use the EFDS website to find an IFI Mark gym or other facility.

There are now over 400 such facilities spread throughout the country, providing accessible changing rooms, training advice

34 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Just take care out there – be wary of icy, slippery surfaces and consider the accessibility of certain environments that may be affected by cold conditions, such as playing fields and footpaths.

Wrap up warm, remember to drink plenty of water… and away you go. Enjoy!

To find your nearest IFI Mark gym, simply enter your postcode into the facility search engine on EFDS’s website.

Choose between a map or list view when you search here www. efds.co.uk/inclusive_ fitness/ifi_gyms Follow IFI and their latest tweets on @Incl_fitness

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LimbPower I Momentum

Socket Fit and comfort Signs that your socket is not fitting There are signs to look out for when your socket is not comfortable. Always check the obvious. Has something got in the socket, did your sock wrinkle up? These will cause sores and blisters.

A

ll amputees know that having a socket that is comfortable is absolutely paramount to being able to take part in normal day-to-day life, as well as going on to tackle more demanding sport and fitness activities. We asked our good friend Ian Jones of Limb Solutions to give some tips and advice on how to achieve optimum fit and comfort from your socket.

with socks. On delivery always follow clinician’s advice, and if you are unsure write it down.

To begin you will only tolerate short wearing times 10-20 mins, by not over wearing, the residuum will become accustomed and wearing times can increase. Like a new pair of shoes, if you wear them for too long, they will hurt and cause blisters. With many medical conditions, healing will take longer so take advice.

When your socket does not fit, it is unlikely it is because the socket has changed, it is more likely that your residuum has changed so there are a few questions you can ask yourself to help the prosthetic team resolve the issues.

New Socket fitting and comfort

Socket fitting for the new amputee When you are ready for your first prosthesis, a socket is made using data capture (cast, measures or scan). It is likely you will shrink quickly so may find sockets become loose between appointment. This is normal and manageable

When a new limb is made there are key factors to ensure it is successful and remains comfortable. Non liner sockets – these are generally made to fit with one terry sock unless pre-decided. Wearing 2-3 is not unusual for a new socket so check with the clinician.

To reduce socks, it is better to add pads or a lining. If the socket is comfortable but your volume reduces, then you can also add thin temporary pads or additional socks (but then make an appointment to have it adjusted). When we make a

36 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

socket we look to load soft tissue, and relieve bony area or pressures near blood vessels.

This may take time to get right so IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT CHECK. Liner sockets – Liners help suspend and add protection, but avoid them unless there is a clinical need, as most will soften the skin, and can reduced control. If you do have a liner they are typically delivered to fit without socks but if volume changes (which is common) you may need tighter sockets.

Old Socket volume changes It is possible that volume change can go up or down and can happen anytime, but is usually due to a change of medical condition or weight gain or weight loss. Always check contraindications (A condition which makes a particular treatment or procedure potentially inadvisable)of medicines. For example water tablets. Alcohol causes dehydration, which can make you loose in the socket.

Then check that you are sat in the usual place in the socket i.e. not too far out or in the socket.

Plugged out of the socket will make the leg feel long, sinking in the socket will make it feel short. You may hear comments like “you are limping” or you may get lower backache. More obviously you will experience pressures in the socket. In most socket designs, we allow loading of soft tissue and relief for bone. If we allow space for a bony prominence and that bone sits too high or low it will rub or be bruised. One or more of these symptoms can be resolved by adjusting socks thicknesses.

The final consideration to comfort is alignment. If the loading of the leg is off set then rotational forces will cause pressures. If the alignment is not right and the socket becomes loose the movement will be exaggerated.

Look for gapping at the top edges, then report this to your clinician. This is only a brief look at fit and comfort and may not cover all eventualities, so if in doubt CONTACT YOUR CLINICIAN.

Find our more about LimbPower: Website: limbpower.com Twitter: @LimbPower

I Momentum

More Rehab offer a high quality multidisciplinary therapy service to patients that require specialised neurological or respiratory care.

The specialised services we offer include: • Hands-On Therapy • Exercise Programmes • Hydrotherapy • Electrical Stimulation (Upper & Lower Limb) • Gymnasium Work • Splinting (Upper & Lower Limb) • FES Bike Assessments & Programmes • Carer Training • Amputee Rehab • Accommodation Assessments • Equipment & Aids Assessments including wheelchair & posture • Vocational Rehabilitation and much more, please contact us for more details.

We have clinics in South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and the surrounding areas.

We are happy to do visits to your home, school or work place.

Tel: 0114 2353150 Web: www.morerehab.com

These prostheses are designed to go unnoticed, while helping you perform a variety of basic functional activities including pushing, pulling, stabilizing, and supporting.

These life-like devices can be designed for a variety of needs including partial and whole fingers, hands and arms.

You have the ability to fully customize your prosthesis, incorporating a variety of real-life features including freckles, hair and colormatching your skin tone.

A prosthesis designed for individuals with missing fingers and partial hands. The prosthesis is fully customized for your needs, acting as a tool to enhance function.

With i-limb digits, you can: • Grasp an object with the digits conforming to its shape • Mimic the grasp patterns of the human hand with up to 14 different operating modes • Gradually increase the strength of grip on an object

A fuller life is within your grasp.

As a leading manufacturer of upper limb prosthetic solutions, Touch Bionics understands the needs of patients with upper limb loss or deficiency.

We have one goal in mind-to partner with your clinician to provide you with a solution that will help increase your function and independence in your daily life Touch Bionics, Unit 3, Ashwood Court, Oakbank Park Way Livingston EH53 0TH, Scotland, Tel: +44 1506 438 556 Email: info@touchbionics.com

www.touchbionics.com The most versatile and advanced prosthetic hand available today. These full-hand prosthetic devices closely mimic the appearance and function of a natural hand.

With an i-limb ultra revolution prosthesis, you can: • Grasp an object and conform to its shape • Mimic the grasp patterns of the human hand with 24 different operating modes • Gradually increase the strength of grip on an object • Control the speed at which your fingers move to avoid crushing more delicate objects

technology that touches lives MA 01224

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 37

Valence School I Momentum

Boccia at Valence School Sports College >> Jo Eames, Director of Sport Valence School and Project Ability Lead for Kent schools) and Level 3 (Festivals.) November this year saw 20 schools, 52 teams, 208 players 40 young leader/officials trained and 32 teams reach the finals in 4 different disability categories at 2 age groups.

There are several community clubs across the county and many across the country.

These are reliant on dedicated and inspiring leaders and volunteers young or not so young to help run them, anyone interested do get in touch with Valence School.

SE Regional

What is Boccia?

It is a Paralympic sport for athletes with disabilities that have a major impact on motor skills. Originally devised for people with Cerebral Palsy, it is now known worldwide as a Disability Sport for all types of disability whether Physical, Learning or Medical. Boccia is a target ball sport belonging to the same family as Petanque and Bowls where players aim to propel Red or Blue balls close to a white target ball.

Two sides compete as individuals, pairs or as a team of three over a set number of ends. Points are accumulated over the course of a match to find a winner. A ball can be rolled, thrown or kicked. If a player is unable to throw or kick the ball, they can use a ramp. If players are unable to release the ball with their hands, they can use assistive devices – head/hand pointer.

Boccia at Valence

Here at Valence, students of all abilities enjoy learning and playing the game at all levels across the secondary school. They have opportunity to: - play against their

class mates, in inter-house competition, join the school squad and compete against other schools either as a standalone match or within the District, County, Regional or National Level. Currently Valence runs U14 and U19 Inter-House competition, has a school squad of 12 and is delighted that our U14 team and 2 x U19 teams have made it into the County School Games Boccia Finals in March 2015 hoping to retain the Gold Medal title for both age groups.

Sainsburys School Games in Kent

Selected by the Youth Sport Trust for our expertise in engaging young disabled people, Valence is the lead Project Ability School for the county of Kent where our number one aim is to increase the numbers of disabled young people in schools taking part in competitive sport. Boccia is one of our main sports where we have been successful in implementing greater participation, coaching and leadership at Level 1 (in schools) Level 2 (against

38 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

As County Champions for the past 8 years and quoted by Boccia England as being “1 of the 3 top Boccia schools in the country” Valence co-hosts with Sussex and Hampshire the SE regional competition in both Physical disability and Learning Disability, the winners of each competition representing the region at the Nationals in April. It is at this level that gifted and talented players across the SE are recognised and given additional opportunities to progress as individual players in one of 4 classifications or to aspire to being a National Team player. bocciaengland.org.uk

Inclusive

Since 1984 when Boccia was a sport solely for players with Cerebral Palsy the game has grown enormously and has become one of the most inclusive, sociable and accessible sports for people of all ages to participate in.

For more information please contact Jo Eames Director of Sport sportscollegeadmin@valence.kent.sch.uk www.valenceschool.com

min@ h.uk

Valence School which offers top sporting facilities and an academic education to children and young people aged 4 to 19 with physical disabilities and complex medical needs from all over the South East, is a Specialist Sports College in Westerham Kent, and is the only State School of its kind in the UK. Our Mission Statement is simple Student’s views and rights are central to the ethos of Valence School Our mission is to provide a learning community where there is quality education including sporting facilities, care, access and therapy in order to promote each student’s intellectual, physical, social, emotional and spiritual development.

Our work is about enabling children and young people who have special physical, medical and sensory needs to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding together with the confidence, self-esteem and self-dependence necessary for them to participate in and contribute to society in the way each chooses.

www.valenceschool.com General Enquiries:

e b row n@ v alence.kent .sch. u k Sport Enquiries to Jo Eames - Director of Sport

sportscollegeadmin@valence.kent.sch.uk

UK Deaf Sport I Momentum

GB Deaf Swimming name squad for the 2015 World Deaf Swimming Championships in Texas.

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B Deaf Swimming are pleased to announce the fifteen Great Britain deaf swimmers that have been selected to compete in the World Deaf Swimming Championships in Texas, USA 2015.

England Deaf Women’s Futsal won the bronze medal at the EDSO European Futsal Championship

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anielle Evans won the golden boot with 14 goals, to help seal a place at next year’s World Championship in Thailand. This very young squad performed exceptionally, topping their group, scoring 21 goals and conceding only one.

“We have begun planning straightaway to ensure the medal is a different colour at

the World Cup next year” Julie Callaghan England head coach.

In the quarter-final they dispatched Belgium 6-1, but suffered heartbreak in the final four against a very strong German team. England raced into a 5-0 lead, but conceded seven unanswered goals to put them out of the final. In the bronze medal match Julie Callaghan’s side cruised past

Spain 6-1 to win the bronze medal. Head coach Callaghan said: “It has been a great tournament for this young team and they showed real resilience.” “This experience will only make this team stronger and harder to beat.”

Elite disability development manager Jeff Davis added: “It is an outstanding result. The team went into the event ranked sixth and out-performed most teams.” “Their experience of the semi-final will give a painful lesson but they needed to be talented to put themselves ahead against a very strong German team who only lost to World Champions Russia in extra-time.”

“I am confident this group of players can only get better and go to Thailand with confidence that they can beat any team in the world.”

40 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

There will be 8 male and 7 female swimmers competing internationally against deaf swimmers from all over the world. This higher standard event will be a big test to the swimmers in the team to prove they have improved from the European Championships in June this year. “I am confident all swimmers have the talent to make finals, break records and achieve medals.”

“My expectations are to improve the standards, compared to the last World Championships in Portugal, to achieve more finals, records and medals.”

Said Head Coach Sam Chamberlain Squad is; Boys - Tom Baxter, Jack McComish, James Webster, Kieran Holdbrook, Matthew Oaten, Luke Nisted, Nathan Young, Oliver Kenny Girls - Danielle Joyce, Emily Noden, Polly Saines, Emma Lees, Jasmine Seamarks, Ciara Tappenden, Lucy Walkup.

British Blind Sport I Momentum

First Steps

by British Blind Sport

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elping children with sight loss get active with a sport and fitness pack delivered to their door.

We are currently planning a pilot study for an exciting sport and fitness pack for visually impaired children aged between 7 and 12 years old. For the study, we will work with 50 families across the West Midlands region.

Why First Steps is needed Inactivity and obesity are two major challenges facing this country. Only 32% of boys and 24% of girls meet the government’s guidelines of 60 minutes activity each day and many are overweight or obese. This problem will continue to grow, unless we intervene.

Many children with visual impairments struggle with physical activity due to a lack of inclusive PE teaching and bullying at mainstream schools.

Families across the country are struggling financially, but it is the families with disabled children that face additional

challenges. These families have significantly less income than the national average. As leisure activities are often one of the first things to go during financial struggles, their children move further towards obesity and a lifetime of poor health.

With over 25,000 visually impaired children in the UK, there will be a large number who are at risk of obesity and inactivity. At British Blind Sport, we are uniquely placed in the disability and sporting sectors to solve this problem.

“This innovative project gives families of visually impaired children very positive and practical ways to encourage and motivate their child to do physical activity” - Alan Whetherly, VI Sports Consultant

First Steps activity pack To combat these major challenges, the First Steps activity pack will include accessible equipment, activities and information about local sports clubs.

Activity booklet This booklet will include fun and exciting games that can contribute to the government’s guidelines of 60 minutes activity each day. All of the activities will be suitable for the home and will encourage all family members to join in!

Jingle ball Each First Steps activity pack will include an audible ball called a jingle ball. The ball will be central to all the games included in the activity booklet.

Local sports clubs booklet This booklet will include local and accessible sporting opportunities for visually impaired children. Joining and regularly participating at a sports club is vital to leading an active and healthy life.

The future of First Steps We aim to learn from our pilot and improve the First Steps activity pack to ensure it increases regular sporting activity. After the pilot, we hope to establish a national First Steps programme to help visually impaired children across the country.

Get involved Have you got any suggestions for improving the First Steps activity pack?

We want to hear from you!

Please contact Thomas Davies, our Insight and Information Officer on support@britishblindsport.org.uk

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 41

Sport England I Momentum

Sport England to help disabled people access sport and social care professionals and sports providers The project will focus on understanding the value and benefits of signing-off personal budgets for the individuals wanting to use their funds for sport and physical activity.

The project will include a number of key stakeholders ranging from local government, health organisations, and sporting organisations, including Sport England and national governing bodies.

Locally, the project will be delivered by DPULOs to support and encourage disabled people to access sport and physical activity, while gaining insight into the behaviours and attitudes of disabled people towards sport, and the triggers to playing more regularly through direct contact and follow-up with them.

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port England is committed to helping people and communities across the country create a sporting habit for life. We know that disabled people are less likely to take part in sport, with only one in six playing sport regularly compared to one in three nondisabled people. Our work will seek to change this and help disabled people to view taking part in sport as a practical lifestyle choice. This means investing in organisations and projects that will get more people playing sport and creating opportunities for people to excel at their chosen sport.

Sport England has recently announced a new partnership with Disability Rights UK (DRUK) to increase the number of disabled people playing sport by using their personal budgets to access sporting opportunities.

Sport England has awarded DRUK £791,171 of National Lottery funding to conduct a pilot of the scheme in conjunction with Cheshire, Leicester City and Norfolk Disabled People User Led Organisations (DPULOs) to develop a model to grow the number of disabled being active and playing sport, through working with health

42 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Lynne Turnbull, Chief Executive Officer for Cheshire Centre for Independent Living, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living, Equal Lives (Norfolk) and DRUK, thanks to valuable funding from Sport England.

“The funding will allow partners to raise awareness with Health and Social Care colleagues of the importance of sport and exercise, as a way for disabled people to improve their wellbeing and also offer support to providers to encourage inclusive practices.”

This partnership is part of Sport England’s wider National Lottery-funded ‘Take-up Programme’, working on a number of projects to increase the number of disabled

people regularly playing sport. Although participation levels have increased, there still remains a significant imbalance between the number of disabled and non-disabled people playing sport. This project with DRUK is designed to change thinking around how disabled people can take up and play more sport.

The outcome of delivery will provide further insight into the lives and needs of disabled people and has the scope to tackle issues of latent demand for people who would like to use their personal budgets to take part in sport regularly.

Sport England Chair, Nick Bitel, said: “We are constantly striving to get more disabled people involved in sport, making it a practical lifestyle choice. Our partnership with Disability Rights UK will help us work nationally and locally with their 340 members’ organisations to try and encourage more disabled people into sport.”

“This is an exciting opportunity for Sport England to work further with disability organisations; promoting sport and exercise as a way of meeting people’s support needs and ultimately getting more disabled people who would like to use a personal budget to regularly play sport.”

For more information on Sport England please visit: www.sportengland.org or tweet @sport_england or visit our Facebook page - facebook.com/ sportengland

I Momentum

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Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 43

Active Kids for All I Momentum

Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training A participant’s perspective…

Donna, a Senior Care and Support Worker, attended a Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All Inclusive Community Training workshop so she could better support her clients to engage in physical activity. Afterwards she said: “The Inclusive Community Training has given me the knowledge, skills and confidence to assist staff and clients in reaching their full potential. I now feel that there is no activity that I or the people I support cannot be part of because I know there is always a creative way to ensure everyone who wants to be, is involved.”

the training helped Donna to overcome her childhood fears of sport and to explore different types of inclusive activities she could use.

Since attending the training, Donna has been inspired to organise a large sports event in County Durham. She is already planning how she can use what she learnt at the workshop to ensure disabled people do not experience any barriers in the activities she delivers.

Get involved If, like Donna, you could benefit from training to deliver sportsbased activities to the disabled people you support, why not attend a Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All Inclusive Community Training workshop?

Donna did not have a positive experience of sport at school and so This low cost initiative lacked confidence in delivering any activities (costs £10 per person, although subsidies herself. However, 44 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

may apply) has been designed specifically for individuals who support disabled people of all ages in the community. For example; parents, carers, support workers, healthcare professionals, volunteers and community groups.

The training consists of a three hour practical workshop, supported by online resources and aims to improve

knowledge, skills and confidence in delivering sports based activities to disabled people.

For further information, including details of workshops taking place near you, please contact the English Federation of Disability Sport team via email: AK4A@efds.co.uk or telephone: 01509 227751.

DSAuk I Momentum

Do Something Amazing with DSAuk The courageous team met this daunting task head on and battled harsh November weather and challenging UK landmarks along the way. Jess and the team rode their way into the record books by raising in excess of an astounding £2.5 million for BBC Children in Need. Many congratulations and thank you to Jess and the team for completing this magnificent challenge.

The One Show ‘Rickshaw Challenge’ raising money for BBC Children In Need The Dwarf Sports Association is honoured to have worked closely with Children in Need since 2007, benefitting from their fundraising activities. In October, we were delighted to be asked if one of our members would like to take part in the One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge to raise money and give something back to Children in Need.

The Rickshaw challenge involved a group of five young people cycling a Rickshaw from Salford to Walford. The 450 mile journey started on 7th November and was completed just 8 days later on Children in Need night.

Jess Davies, who has been a member of DSAuk for fifteen years, took up this incredible challenge. After a comprehensive process of testing, Jess was declared fit to take part, then kitted out with specially adjusted clothing and adaptations to the Rickshaw.

Boccia and Badminton The weekend of 10th /11th October saw the return of the DSAuk annual Boccia and Badminton Championships, held in Wolverhampton. A record number of competitors took part in the tournament which proved to be a great success again this year. Skill matched pairs were selected for the Badminton doubles tournament which resulted in fiercely contested matches.

Badminton is now a confirmed paralympic sport for 2020 and DSAuk is hopeful that a dwarf classification will be included.

who have helped to develop shooting for the DSA and its members.

DSAuk and the Disabled Shooting Project are jointly working to identify up to six existing clubs around the country to host adapted air rifles and pistols which can be accessed by people with dwarfism on club nights and at DSAuk taster sessions. Part of the funding includes a British Shooting Rangemaster qualification and two members have already achieved this to lead in-house shooting sessions. A postal shooting competition is also planned.

Save the Dates 1st to 5th May 2015: National Games Birmingham area 20th June 2015: National Sailing and Canoeing Day - Sheffield 10th/11th October 2015: Boccia and Badminton Championships

Shooting

Like to find out more?

An exciting working partnership between British Shooting and DSAuk has secured funding from Sport England “Get Equipped” to develop target shooting for people with dwarfism. An equipment evaluation day has resulted in identification of a rifle which, when adapted, will be more suitable for people with dwarfism. Thanks to Aldersley Shooting Centre, all the staff and volunteers

• Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DSAUk • Follow us on Twitter @dwarfsportDSAuk • Visit www.dsauk.org.

• Give us a call in the office on 01246 296485 To become a member, visit www.dsauk.org and click ‘Join Us’.

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 45

Sport on the ward - a rehabilitation story after spinal cord injury “Everybody keeps commenting on my triceps!” This is the result of sport and physical activity featuring in the rehabilitation of Sarah, 32, from East London.

Prior to being a wheelchair user Sarah didn’t have too much interest in sport. The discovery of a tumour on her spinal cord has seen her in and out of hospital since 2000. In March 2014 Sarah had surgery that resulted in her being a T3 Paraplegic.

It was on the spinal ward at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore where she met Mark O’Neil. Mark is WheelPower’s Physical Activity Advisor who supports patients in accessing sport following a spinal cord injury.

Mark noticed determination and a strength of character in Sarah. Following her most recent surgery she was up and active after only one week’s bed rest. She quickly understood the philosophy and ideas for building up strength and general fitness by the physiotherapy team and Mark. There are endless benefits for remaining active now that she is a full time manual wheelchair user.

She has been making full use of all the sport and physical activity opportunities at Stanmore such as table tennis, swimming, slalom and wheelchair tennis. In addition Sarah was regularly seen utilising the onsite gym facilities like the handbike, resistance machines and machines for her legs.

46 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Sarah is the current record holder with the fastest time amongst Stanmore patients for the manual wheelchair slalom organised by WheelPower’s physical activity advisor.

Since being discharged from Stanmore at the end of June 2014 Sarah feels fitter, has more stamina and has the body to match! She has gained more muscle definition in her upper body and it has not gone unnoticed by her friends and family.

Sarah will be returning to her usual place of employment to look at accessibility issues and to discuss future work options. However, she is focused on continuing her active lifestyle and the progress she has made during her rehabilitation. Sarah is thankful of the support she received from WheelPower and plans to remain in contact to continue to utilising the support available from Mark.

In 2014 WheelPower’s physical activity advisors supported over 60 patients.

With the expansion of the project to Pinderfields and Sheffield this is set to at least double our aim to transform lives through sport.

There are many opportunities to get involved in sport after spinal cord injury or those living with a physical impairment.

Visit: wheelpower.org.uk for more information.

Twitter: @wheelpower

Quest 88 I Momentum

SOCIAL MEDIA & QUEST 88 GET ASHLEY ON HIS BIKE

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nyone doubting the positive effects cycling can have need look no further than 42 year old Ashley Stubbings from Mansfield Woodhouse.

Despite being born with Spina Bifida, Ashley has always dealt head-on with the mobility issues that come with such a condition, but has never been able to realise one of his dreams – to ride a bike.

In 2011, Ashley attended The Cycle Show to see what was available with regards to cycling solutions for people with restricted leg movement. He explained: “I went to the event with an open mind and met Martin Griffiths of Quest 88 for the first time, who introduced me to the world of handcycles. After testing several models I knew the Excelerator upright handcycle was the one for me, and all I had to do now was save up the money to buy one!”

This is where Ashley’s story really takes off.

Ashley decided – as many do these days to put a post on Facebook, telling people he had seen this amazing handcycle and

was determined to save over the next 12 to 18 months to buy one, so he could turn his dream into a reality. Several months later Ashley took a call that literally took his breath away, as he explained. “It was from a guy called David Rogers who I had not seen since secondary school and he said if I could raise £1000, he would match it!” Within a few weeks Ashley received a call from a second friend asking how much he still needed to raise – and days later received a cheque for £800!”

What should have taken up to 18 months had been accomplished in a matter of weeks and Ashley contacted Quest 88 to order his handcycle. Since its delivery, the handcycle has completely changed Ashley’s life, both physically and mentally.

Ashley was aware he needed to lose weight and had tried various forms of exercise including weights, gym work and swimming, all to no avail. However, within weeks of getting on his handcycle the weight was coming off and to date he has lost almost 3 stone. Ashley, not only goes for bikes rides on his own, but also rides with his wife and Step children Mary (12) and James (14).

The handcycle has also helped Ashley from a mental health perspective, as his wife Jess explained: “Ashley has suffered from depression over the years, but since being able to go out on his bike, this has greatly improved. It may be a cliché but Quest 88 and the handcycle have literally changed not only Ashley’s life, but all of ours and I cannot thank Quest 88 enough for all their help and support”.

Ashley’s Topend Excelerator handcycle is ideal for people with little or no leg muscle movement. Stable, easy to manoeuvre and sufficiently lightweight to transfer in and out of car boots. The smooth Shimano shifter allows the rider to tackle hills or level terrains with equal ease and the seven-speed Shimano hub, with reverse braking, means hands never have to leave the pedals.

The Excelerator features a simple fore-aft sliding seat and footrest system, both of which are fully adjustable. It also features a straightforward crank height adjustment with a fully adjustable chain tension idler, to avoid adding or removing chain links. Optional Top End V cranks can provide even more power and clearance, and with a weight capacity of 158kg, the Excelerator is perfect for anyone who wants to ride it.

A final word from Ashley: “It is hard to put into words what a difference the handcycle has made to my life and that of my family. If you are in a similar situation I would urge you to contact the team at Quest 88 as they have a cycling solution suitable for almost every level of disability - and they are also incredibly nice people”.

For more information on the range of inclusive cycling solutions available from Quest 88 please call 0845 6047258, email: cycling@quest88.com, visit: www.quest88.com/all-ability-cycling or follow us on twitter: @quest_88

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 47

FA I Momentum

A big year for elite disability football

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015 will be a big year for Disability football at elite level and will feature the biggest disability tournament The FA has organised.

The Cerebral Palsy Football World Championships 2015 will be staged at The FA’s National Football Centre, the iconic St. George’s Park, home to all 24 English national squads.

The Championships are taking place from Saturday 13th June - Sunday 28 June 2015 and will see the 16 qualifiers from around the world compete for the title to become World Champions. This tournament comes with an added incentive, as it is also the main qualification tournament for the 2016 Paralympic Games, taking place in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.

England will play in the opening game on 16th June 2015 at 1.00pm, with the final being held at 3.00pm on 28th June 2015. The exact fixture list will not be known until the tournament draw is made in March 2015.

You will be able to find all the key information regarding the build up to the Championships through the pages on dedicated tournament website www.cp2015.com and through www.FA.com. Tickets will become available in the Spring. Get following @CPEngland2015 and @FA to keep up with the latest news.

Another qualifying tournament for a ticket to Rio 2016 will also be taking place on these shores. The IBSA Blind Football European Championships 2015 will be held at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford from 22-29 August. For more information and tickets visit blindeuros.co.uk

FA creates blueprint for future of disability football at grassroots

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London project is creating the blueprint for future direction of grassroots disability football across the country.

Inclusive United is a flagship £3.2 million project funded by the FA and partners to get 30,000 more disabled people playing football nationwide and boost the number of disability teams within Charter Standard clubs by 500 over three years.

And the seeds of the project are already starting to take root with the roll out of London United, an FA-led collective of the Community Trusts of each of the 14 Professional Football clubs in the capital in partnership with voluntary sector partners and local County FAs. The FA’s Senior National Game Development manager Pete Ackerley said: “Disability football is the seventh largest team sport in the country and Inclusive United is a way in which we are finally bringing partners together to develop disability football.

“The approach has been somewhat disjointed in the past, but what we are doing in London is ground-breaking stuff and probably will set out the standard for how we do this nationally.”

One of the first players to benefit has been 19-year-old Caoimhe Patterson,

48 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

who joined the QPR Community Trust pan-disability team in September.

“I started playing football seven years ago, but this is my first season at QPR and my game has improved massively.

The training is very structured and we get practice different skills as well as playing matches. These opportunities were not there before.”

James Casling, 19, who plays for QPR Community Trust’s mental health team also serves as one of the coaches.

“I love the opportunity to play and coach. The chance to do both came about because QPR Community Trust saw potential in me when I joined and offered to pay for my Level One Coaching qualification. It’s the best thing I have ever done. The smiles of the kids’ faces is one of the best feelings in the world. I would love to develop a career in coaching.”

The London project is joint-funded in partnership with the Wembley National Stadium Trust and is being overseen

by Interactive, who promote disability equality in sport across London aiming to deliver a major step change in the availability and quality of football opportunities for disabled people.

Nationally, in its first year, the initiative has already led a 9,000 boost in disability participation and the establishment of 125 new disability teams.

Sport in Mind: the mental health sports charity

“

Sport in Mind helped my recovery and now I’m helping others to do likewise

”

Val Childs, Sport in Mind Volunteer of the Year 2014

Sport in Mind is the independent Berkshire based charity (registration number 1145326) that uses sport to promote mental wellbeing and help aid the recovery of people experiencing mental health conditions.

Although sport is seen by many as just something fun that people do, it truly has the power to change lives, and should play an integral role in the treatment and prevention of mental health conditions. Regular

engagement in sporting activities has an impact on improving mental wellbeing, reducing levels of anxiety and depression, and enhancing self-esteem.

Val Childs – Sport in Mind Volunteer of the Year 2014 Val Childs is one person who can testify that sport can promote mental well-being and help aid recovery from mental health conditions.

Twelve years ago she was diagnosed with depression and a number of serious mental health conditions.

At the onset of her illness life was pretty bleak – “all I did was eat, sleep and watch television. I lacked motivation to do anything and didn’t see the point of getting up in the mornings”.

During this period, Val did not engage in any exercise

and with her overeating she began to gain weight, which caused further mental distress. To help improve her health, Val decided to join one of Sport in Mind’s groups and they quickly helped her regained her motivation and confidence.

After six months Val was feeling much better physically and mentally, and signed up as a volunteer.

“I was really proud to become a volunteer for Sport in Mind as they had helped me so much in my recovery and I wanted to be able to give something back to them – to help others achieve what I had. I know people probably won’t be able to understand this, but being a volunteer for an organisation that has helped you directly made me feel so special and gave me a sense of responsibility as I knew others would be relying on

me – I had never been given that kind of responsibility before”.

Despite working full-time, Val has dedicated over 300 hours of her spare time to volunteering for Sport in Mind over the past 2 years in order to support people experiencing mental health problems to engage in sport and help aid their recovery. Due to the work and dedication that Val has devoted to helping people experiencing mental health problems, Sport in Mind were pleased to award her the prize of volunteer of the year 2014.

On receiving the award, Val said, “I really can’t put into words what this award means to me, except to say I am very proud to receive this fantastic award. Sport in Mind has helped me on a personal level gain a positive focus in my life, rebuild my confidence and enabled me to grow.

To know that I am now having a positive impact of the lives of other people experiencing mental health problems is a very special feeling”. www.sportinmind.org www.facebook.com/ sportinmind www.twitter.com/ sportinmind1

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 49

CP Sport I Momentum

Portland College win Cerebral Palsy Sport 2014 National Table Cricket Community League Finals In 1998, the Youth Sport Trust adopted Table Cricket and added it to the Sportsability Bag of adapted equipment that was then distributed to 1,500 schools throughout England and Wales. The game involves a table tennis table, or similar surface area, side panels with sliding fielders, a ball launcher, a plastic ball and a wooden bat to simulate a game of cricket.

T

able Cricket was originally developed by Doug Williamson in 1990, through Project Adapted at Nottingham Trent University.

It stemmed from the desire to devise another appropriate sporting opportunity for youngsters who could not take part in the traditional Paralympic sports. It was created especially for those with physical impairments, and trials were conducted in Nottingham and at Stoke Mandeville.

Table Cricket is a sport played in schools across the country, culminating each year with a National Final at Lord’s, the ‘Home of Cricket’ through the work of The Lord’s Taverners. Further development of the game has come through Cerebral Palsy Sport’s National Table Cricket Community League Inclusive Sport Fund project, rolling out the game to a wider audience and ages at recreational level, with local county and regional heats and the National Finals Competition.

In 2013, Cerebral Palsy Sport was awarded funding from Sport England’s Inclusive

Sport Fund to develop the National Table Cricket Community League.

Table Cricket is a game for everyone to play and enjoy - young or old, disabled and nondisabled - and is a great way to teach the basic rules of cricket, all on a table top.

On 07 December 2014 we held the National Table Cricket Community League Finals Day at the famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham. The venue was transformed into 2 amphitheatres of table cricket and the cricketing gladiators from across England came together to battle it out to become the 2014 National Champions.

The volunteers and Cerebral Palsy Sport staff arrived early at the venue and started setting up the venue and tables for the competition. 8 teams arrived from across the country soon arrived and with a buzz of excitement the games began. See below for full results and prize giving details.

Group 1 was made up of QAC Challengers, Foresight Foxes, Clare School, and Linkage Lions.

TCCL Final: Portland College 258 - beat - Clare 232

Round 1: QAC 270 - beat - Foxes 238 / Clare 254 - beat - Linkage 229

TCCL Champions: 2014 Portland College.

Round 2: Clare 266 - beat - QAC 231 / Linkage 228 - beat - Foxes 194

Round 2: Portland 267 - beat - Oshwal 194 / Falcons 240 - beat - St Ives 235

To finish off the terrific day of sport all the teams, VIP’s, volunteers and staff came together for the presentations of the medals and trophies and the community feel of the event was encapsulated in that moment. Awards were presented by Ken Kelly, ECB, Basher Hassan and Jack Arnold (Notts Cricket Board), Sue Moore and Jack Kavanagh (Volunteer coordinators) and Richard Harwood Chairman of Cerebral Palsy Sport.

Round 3: Falcons 266 - beat - Oshwal 243 / Portland 227 - beat - St Ives 221

Award winners:

Final Table: 1st Portland, 2nd Falcons, 3rd St Ives Rangers, 4th Oshwal.

Spirit of Cricket Award - Lloyd Davison (Grantham TCCL)

Round 3: Linkage 258 - beat - QAC 204 / Clare 268 - beat - Foxes 201 Final Positions: 1st Clare, 2nd Linkage, 3rd QAC, 4th Foresight Foxes.

Group 2 was made up of Oshwal, St Ives Rangers, Portland and Foresight Falcons.

Round 1: St Ives 237 - beat - Oshwal 203 / Portland 254 - beat - Falcons 253

With the final play offs sorted everyone broke for lunch with the anticipation of the final matches on everybody’s mind. The results of the play-offs and the final were as follows: 7th & 8th Play-off: Foresight Foxes 276 - beat - Oshwal 235 6th & 5th Play-off: QAC 263 - beat - St Ives Rangers 227 3rd & 4th Play-off: Linkage 266 - beat - Foresight Falcons 254

50 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Player of the Tournament - Briony Hall (Clare School) It was a tremendous day of table cricket and Cerebral Palsy Sport would like to thank everyone who was involved in making finals day such a success and look forward to seeing everyone in 2015.

Tricycles . Handcycles . Tandems Electric cycles . Recumbents

TOP END

Disabled Access Day I Momentum

Disabled Access Day is all about getting out there and trying something new.

I

t is hoped that on the 17th of January 2015, attractions and venues will use the opportunity to show off their disabled access and that people will discover new places to go.

involved, demonstrating their commitment to accessibility.

Details of the latest events taking place throughout the country can be found at www.DisabledAccessDay.com.

Anyone can take part in Disabled Access Day. We are encouraging people to visit somewhere that they have never been before. That could simply be trying a different cinema or café for the first time, a day out to visit a museum you’ve always wanted to visit or even something more adventurous, like a trip to Amsterdam with one of the travel agencies taking part. It is a day to explore places near and far.

Businesses of all different sizes will be taking part in the day. From national tourist attractions to local businesses, there is a great variety of activities on offer.

We are pleased to be supported

by BT, Standard Life, Visit England, Visit Scotland and Visit Wales. Visit England have said that they are ‘delighted to support Disabled Access Day, helping people with access needs discover great accessible experiences throughout England’.

Visit Wales are taking part in the event to ‘raise awareness of the wide variety of accessible attractions, activities and accommodation establishments that Wales has to offer’.

If you are in London, there is a hub of activity along the river from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge. We are pleased to welcome The National Theatre, the Tate Modern, Houses of Parliament and Borough Market to our list of participating venues.

North of the Border there are also many events planned. In Edinburgh, the flagship event (no pun intended!) will be held at the Royal Yacht Britannia where there will be discounted entry and fun activities to keep the children entertained. There will also be an opportunity to meet assistance dogs and learn about the work they do.

Others are getting involved and events being organised as we Many other groups, organisations write – The Deep in Hull won in and businesses are also getting Visit England’s Gold “Access For 52 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

All” award in 2011. On Disabled Access Day, visitors will be able to enjoy access the aquarium, home to a whopping 3,500 fish, at a discounted rate. The Roald Dahl Museum is also taking part and aiming to give all its visitors a buzzwangling experience!

Euan’s Guide, the disabled access review website and app, is lead sponsor of the initative.

Kiki MacDonald, Co-Founder of Euan’s Guide, commented: “Promoting good disabled access is at the core of what we do, so this campaign is close to our hearts. We hope many people get involved with the initiative, and feel inspired to see a part of the country they’ve never seen, or engage in activities that they don’t typically do.”

Whatever you do for Disabled Access Day, make sure that you share your experiences by telling your friends or through social media. By talking and tweeting about great disabled access, more and more businesses will realise that by improving their accessibility they will attract new customers. The message of Disabled Access Day is simple: Get exploring!

Get involved now by visiting www.disabledaccessday.com.

Accessible Holidays I Momentum

SECLUDED VILLA WITH WIFI, SAT TV, AIR CON, DISABLED FRIENDLY! What makes this villa unique?

About Steven Sutherland I live in the UK and have always dreamt of owning my own villa and now it has finally happened. I have been coming to Spain for over 20 years and to Javea for the last 10 and I have to say it is the most relaxing enjoyable place to holiday with my wife and children. I always booked a villa for our holidays but it was made a bit difficult as it had to be disabled accessible for myself as i have a spinal cord injury due to an accident.

I have booked villas that say disabled accessible and elderly friendly but when i have arrived my wheelchair will not fit through any doors or bathrooms were inaccessible and there were steps hear and there and that would just spoil the holiday and waste valuable time trying to find alternative accommodation.

I have now bought this villa and made it disabled accessible and elderly friendly so I can enjoy my holidays and also provide a much needed service to a lot of other people. so now

the villa is open to everyone to rent and enjoy there holidays!

Steven Sutherland purchased this villa in 2013

Why Steven Sutherland chose Javea Old Town When i first entered this property it had a great feel about it and I immediately felt at home. I have been holidaying in java over the last 10 years and always thought about buying a property and had seen a fair few over the years but this one i just had to buy. The views from the balcony down the Valley are fantastic! Also the backdrop of the Montgo Mountain that sits directly behind the villa just looks superb from any angle that you look at it! As the sun moves round in the day the colour of the mountain changes and also at night as the sun sets. The area is so quiet and peaceful you can just relax and enjoy your holiday. Also the villa is just a walk from a local supermarket and a short drive to the nearest beach where you will find lots of nice bars and restaurants to wine and dine in.

The villa has been made Disabled accessible for myself and other users who cannot manage steps. There are ramps to access the villa with wide doorways and also accessible bathrooms 1 of which has been made into a wet room for ease of use. The villa is also ideal for older holidaymakers, and child friendly. There is lots of outside space to lounge and relax and a 10 x 5 meter pool to take a dip when it gets to warm! The property is fully air conditioned which is great for the hot summer months and also heats rooms if it does get a little chilly in winter but with an average temperature of 10 degrees in winter they will not be needed much.

The villa also has Sky TV in each lounge a TV/DVD combo in every bedroom and it also has unlimited free Wi-Fi to keep in contact with family, friends or work from the villa if need be. The villa has a games room with a pool table, air hockey table, also table tennis can be found in the garden area. There is a PlayStation 3 with games and board games to choose from. There are also 3 wet rooms, shower rooms and a shower wheelchair/ toilet chair for use. Upon your arrival to villa Louise you will be welcomed by my property manager Darren who will give you the keys to the villa and make you feel at home.

For further details please visit: www.homeaway.com, then enter 1150045 into the search bar.

To contact Steven Sutherland Direct for more information please phone: +0044 1772929236 +0044 7428721369

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 53

Accessible Tourism I Momentum

“

I just wanted to thank you for our lovely stay at Avon Tyrrell, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

We really appreciated the wide range of activities and felt your staff were excellent at pitching and adapting each activity so that everyone was able to take part depending on their abilities – they had an absolute blast and are already talking about going back to Avon Tyrrell again!

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ocated in the New Forest National Park, Avon Tyrrell is an inclusive and accessible site for groups and individuals. With action and adventure breaks, we have opportunities and activities for everyone.

On site we offer an extensive range of exciting outdoor adventure activities and inclusive bike hire and tracks. With a selection of specialist equipment and facilities, we can ensure everyone can participate.

For those looking for an autumn/ winter break we have a choice of 6, 12 or 14 berth lodges for you to

”

cosy up in and our location inside the National Park means you can explore and discover a range of places.

To find out more about how we can meet your needs, or to arrange a site visit, please contact us on 01425 672347 or email info@ukyouth.org. Our trained and dedicated staff understand the challenges of coming away and can offer advice and support every step of the way.

“Thank you and all your staff for all going out of your way to make us all feel at home. We all enjoyed all activities including canoeing for the first time.”

Accessible Adventure Weekends and Short Breaks

***Special Offer***

10% off Lodges plus 1 activity per person for stays until March 2015 - QUOTE: ATML15 Follow us...

Avon Tyrrell, UK Youth Outdoor Activity Centre Bransgore, Hampshire, BH23 8EE 01425 672347 info@ukyouth.org www.avontyrrell.org.uk

UK Youth is a registered charity no. 1110590 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales no. 5402004

Sage Gateshead offers a wealth of music and musical learning opportunities for individuals who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Open access music making with performance opportunities

Training and CPD for music practitioners and work placement opportunities

Music Therapy

Winner - North East England Tourism Access For All Gold 2013 Visit sagegateshead.com/join-in or call 0191 443 5165 for full details For access information visit sagegateshead.com/access 54 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

We’re looking for a new generation of talented players to help England shine on the world stage, in all forms of disability cricket.

That’s why we’ve put together a booklet explaining all you need to know about the road ahead if you dream of representing your country one day.

Whether you’re blind, visually impaired, deaf, hearing impaired, physically disabled or have a learning disability, there’s a pathway open to you…

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PATHWAY FOR YOU To learn more about the opportunities cricket could hold for you, email disabilitycricket@ecb.co.uk to request a copy of our booklet, ‘England Disability Cricket Pathway: Becoming a Successful England Player’

To download an online version, or the audio guide for blind and visually impaired players, go to www.ecb.co.uk/development/disability-cricket