Momentum Magazine Issue One (e-version) by publishing_magazines_ltd

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ISSUE ONE

MAGAZINE

>> INSIDE:

>> England & Wales Cricket Board Disability Cricket

>> Archery GB The hottest sport around

>> British Cycling

Sky Ride Programme: Accessible Cycling

Contents 14 20 22

FEATURES >>

NDSOs >>

>>Bucks Legacy Helping deliver a lasting legacy

12 >> English Federation of Disability Sport

>> Level Playing Field Introducing / Access Audit Programme

16 >> Wheelpower

>> England & Wales Cricket Board Disability Cricket

36 46

Supporting disabled people to be active for life British Wheelchair Sport

32 >> Archery GB

The hottest sport around...and absolutely everyone can have a go!

39 >> Sport England

Sport for Disabled people

With Thanks to: England Golf, British Cycling, The Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists, England & Wales Cricket Board, EFDS, oneathlete, iDID, Wheelpower, Archery GB, Sport England, Dwarf Sport Association UK, UK Deaf Sport, British Blind Sport, CP Sport, WDSA (UK), IFI, LimbPower, Special Olympics GB, Disability Sport Wales, Scottish Disability Sport, Sport in Mind, Disability Sport NI & all advertisers. Images Supplied by: www.professional-images.com & thanks to all other image contributors. Published & Designed by: © Publishing Magazines Ltd www.publishingmagazinesltd.com Contact Us:

>> Get into Golf Friendship, fresh air and exercise, golf has it all

48 >> Dwarf Sport Association UK 49 >> UK Deaf Sport

Address Publishing Magazines Ltd 85/86T North East Business & Innovation Centre, Wearfield, Sunderland, SR5 2TH

>> The Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists Sport as a therapy choice

51 >> British Blind Sport

Telephone 0191 516 61 60

52 >> Cerebal Palsy (CP) Sport

Email (General Enquiries) info@momentummagazine.co.uk

54 >> WDSA (UK)

Email (Production/Artwork Enquiries) studio@publishingmagazinesltd.com

>> British Cycling Bringing accessible bike rides to towns and cities all over Britian

56 >> The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI)

Website: www.momentummagazine.co.uk

NEWS >>

Wheels Matters in Momentum

Let’s Get PhysicALL - Inclusive Fitness

58 >> LimbPower

Overcoming barriers to participation in sport

67 >> Special Olympics GB

Transforming lives though sport

06 >> Foreword

68 >> Disability Sport Wales

08 >> Oneathlete

70 >> Scottish Disability Sport

Barry Horne, Chief Executive (EFDS) The building blocks of success

09 >> Nate Williams

Young athlete with sights on Rio 2016

11 >> iDID Adaptive Adventure Conference 2014

Transforming lives though the power of sport

71 >> Disability Sport NI 72 >> Sport in Mind

Promoting mental well-being through sport

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

solicitors

“

The Paralympics gave us a platform to launch our Disability Awareness programme which helps non-disabled pupils understand the challenges facing those with disabilities” says Jamie.

”

Shining a Light for Disability Sport

isability is firmly on the agenda in the North East with Sunderland AFC charity the Foundation of Light driving inclusion through their pioneering programmes. Gaining charitable status in 2001, the organisation has grown from just three staff to a team of almost 200 with disability and inclusion a keen focus throughout their work. Foundation of Light Football Development Director Jamie Wright, talking about the team comments “initially we were trying to increase sporting opportunities for young people with disabilities but as we’ve progressed we’ve tried to take a more holistic approach to disability, running programmes that break down barriers to inclusion not just in sport but in life.” The Foundation regularly delivers sports and PE sessions in a number of special schools across the North East, including after-school clubs and SEN Sportability days. Evening, weekend and holiday courses are also run for people with disabilities within the area across a broad range of sports.

In 2012 the Foundation launched their Disability Awareness programme which marked another step in their goal of driving inclusion. “The Paralympics gave us a platform to launch our Disability Awareness programme which helps non-disabled pupils understand the challenges facing those with disabilities” says Jamie. “The programme introduces various disabilities in classroom sessions, encourages discussion as to what considerations pupils should make if playing with someone with that disability and then the pupils play utilising these considerations. The reaction from schools has been fantastic as it’s not just developed pupils awareness and understanding, but their overall communication skills too.” This year the Foundation are furthering their pursuit of inclusion even more with the launch of their Teacher CPD and Coach the Coaches programmes; both focusing on developing the skills of those delivering PE and sport to young people with disabilities.

“We found that a lot of coaches and teachers weren’t confident in delivering sport to youngsters with disabilities, and as more youngsters with disabilities attend ‘mainstream’ schools this has potentially huge implications” comments Jamie. “Teacher CPD will develop those with little formal coaching training to the point where they will be able to establish a high quality PE programme in their school that takes into consideration disabilities. The Coach the Coaches disability sessions are stand alone sessions which will improve coach and teachers skills in coaching those with specific disabilities.” The Foundation of Light are welcoming enquiries from organisations wanting to develop how they work with those with disabilities. “I definitely think that we are experts in this field and we can utlise this to work with others putting together a product that will work in their areas, helping them make the same kind of impacts that we have” says Jamie.

For further information about the Foundation of Light and their disability provisions contact:

jamie.wright@safc.com or call 0191 5515191 www.momentummagazine.co.uk

foreword

Barry Horne, Chief Executive English Federation of Disability Sport people are more likely to respond to opportunities to get active which tap into the things that matter to them most including: building friendships, maintaining health, becoming more independent and progressing in life. Activity which helps to develop a positive self image and simply having fun is what most of us seek out when wanting to improve our sense of well being and feel more fulfilled in life. More often than not disabled people are looking for opportunities which are as likely to appeal to their nondisabled friends and family and which enable them to get active wherever and in whatever sport or activity they choose.

am delighted to introduce Momentum. It is a brand new publication, with a great purpose. EFDS is the national charity dedicated to disabled people in sport and physical activity throughout England. We have a simple long-term vision: “Disabled people are active for life” and are excited by the potential for Momentum to play a key role in realising that vision. The 2012 London Paralympic Games generated fantastic interest and have provided the momentum to trigger increased interest and investment into sport and physical activity for disabled people. Sport England, for example, has made sport for disabled people a major priority and has significantly increased funding to get more disabled people active. Other partners are increasingly seeing the importance of changing their approach to embrace disabled people as important customers and participants. It is the stark reality that disabled people are still half as likely to be active as non-disabled people. However, we know from our research that a great majority of disabled

06 06

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We at EFDS will certainly contribute to Momentum by sharing the lessons from our programmes, our work and our engagement with disabled people and the sport and fitness sectors. Programmes like our Inclusive Fitness Initiative, which recognises and promotes inclusive gyms and our Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All training, which gives teachers the ability to include disabled children in PE, are playing an important part in widening opportunity and choice. As a small national charity, we aim to use our expertise and influence to make sure that those spending the investment made by Government and the private sector embrace the opportunity of responding to the aspirations of the many millions of disabled people who want to become active. We hope that disabled and nondisabled people alike; those seeking or providing opportunities for active recreation; sport policy makers, funders and advocates will all use Momentum to share their aspirations and identify effective ways of increasing activity. Good luck Momentum– we’re sure you’ll be a great success!

Play sport alongside your studies at the UK’s first Sports Academy for people who are visually impaired Places still available for September 2014 start! Students aged 16 to 25 have the opportunity to study alongside their chosen sport with up to 8 hours training per week Pathways into national GB squads Main sports are:  Football  Goalball  Golf Additional sports available include Boccia, cricket, netball, archery, athletics and many more thePoint4 Our world class sport and fitness facilities include:  Sports Hall - acoustically treated, anti-glare lighting  Astro Pitch - International level futsal pitch  Fitness Suite -Inclusive Fitness Initiative registered  Personal Training - train with Paralympic coaches  Spas Call us to find out more 01432 376 621 or email info@rnc.ac.uk RNCHereford

The Royal National College for the Blind Venns Lane, Hereford HR1 1DT

www.rnc.ac.uk

Company limited by guarantee no. 2367626

Registered charity no. 1000388

@RNC_official

oneathlete:

The building blocks of success

t oneathlete we are incredibly lucky to work with a unique group of really inspirational, talented athletes all of whom have various impairments. Some have already had huge success on the world-stage, and others are only just at the beginning of their journey. But, they all have unique characteristics that form the building blocks of their success. We’d like to share them with you as we believe they are not just relevant to sport, health and fitness, but they are crucial for us all if we want to achieve goals across all areas of our lives.

Consistency

Joe Seage is a young swimmer who has Aspergers Syndrome and dreams of competing for his country at the Paralympics. What some may see as a disability, Joe has turned it into one of his biggest strengths and created a real foundation for success: Consistency. Joe likes consistency and working within a structure, so a strength and conditioning programme is ideal. Without fail, Joe completes his training 3 times a week and exactly as outlined in his programme. For this reason, Joe has made incredible physical changes and huge gains in his performance in the pool. Maybe consistency breeds consistency, because Joe consistently breaks his personal best times.

Belief >> Sam Ruddock is a shot put athlete and Paralympic sprinter with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is particularly frustrating for Sam. His performance potential and development is based on his ability to create specific, accurate and wellcontrolled body positions. Those that know cerebral palsy will understand that the condition is not conducive to these physical attributes. But, Sam believes in his dream and his goal. He knows why he puts himself through sessions of difficult mobility, stabilisation, balance and strength training. Nothing stops him and he doesn’t quit when it gets difficult. This means that in training we can push him hard and he gives it everything he has, and he reaps the rewards because of his belief and hard work. If you truly believe in what you are doing and where you want to go, you’ll do whatever it takes to get there.

Persistence and resilience >> Charlotte Henshaw is bilateral above knee amputee swimmer who competed in the last 2 Paralympic Games. Having got sick in Bejing before the final and finishing fourth, she completed another 4-year cycle and won a brilliant Silver medal at the London 2012 games. Charlotte knows how to work hard and push herself. Swimming is tough with up to 9 sessions a week in the pool plus strength and conditioning and physiotherapy. It requires dedication and persistence like few other sports. When times get tough, she grits her teeth and pushes through because she has her sights set on her goal. We can all learn not to give up when things don’t go our way or it gets difficult. If we are resilient with the strength of mind to keep going, we can keep ourselves on the road to success.

The athletes we support are inspirational people and their outlook and approach to sport is something we can all learn from. But, if we are inspired, we must take that spark and do something with it. If we are going to go after the success we seek in whatever area of our lives, we need to be consistent, believe in ourselves, be persistent and show resilience. Our job as an integrated sports performance support team, specialising in training disabled athletes, is to help our athletes meet their goals and achieve their dreams in the world of sport. If you want to find out more about working with us, visit our website at www.oneathlete.co.uk

Young athlete with sights set on Rio sponsored by Wirral Sports Coaching company:

young man’s dream of competing in the next Paralympics has been boosted by a donation from Wirral’s expert sports coaching company AFYA.

“

My goal has always been to make the Great Britain team and represent my country at the Paralympic Games and inspire others just like Tanni GreyThompson inspired me.

”

Nate Williams, 22, from Ellesmere Port in Cheshire is aspiring to make the Great Britain team at the Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016. The sports journalist graduate is being sponsored by expert sports coaching company AFYA which has provided him with branded kit and a £1,000 donation to help buy an extralight carbon fibre race chair. Nate, who has cerebral palsy, competed for the first time in the £4,300 custom made Bromakin chair at last week’s National Championships. Nate says: “The donation from AFYA has allowed me to buy the specialist race chair I need to compete at the highest level. “I used it for the first time last week at the National

Championships at Stoke Mandeville and recorded three personal bests.

He plans to compete internationally in Berlin on June 20-22.

“My goal has always been to make the Great Britain team and represent my country at the Paralympic Games and inspire others just like Tanni GreyThompson inspired me.”

Ben Wood, Managing Director of AFYA, says: “I was impressed with Nate’s dedication and his dream to compete in the next Paralympics so was delighted to be able to help him achieve his goals.”

Nate raised the rest of the money he needed through donations from family and friends and doing a sponsored push at David Lloyd Leisure.

World class sports facilities on offer in Hereford The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) not only launches it’s Sports Academy for students in September 2014, but boasts facilities that hold their own against many competitive sports and conferencing venues across the UK. Why not try them out?

  

Astro Pitch - international level futsal pitch Sports Hall - acoustically treated, anti-glare lighting Multi-sport facilities: netball, football, goalball and Boccia, amongst others

Gardner Hall provides the perfect setting for team training sessions:

   

Fully accessible conference venue Overnight, ensuite accommodation Bespoke catering Outdoor terrace

Call us to find out more 01432 376 621 or email info@rnc.ac.uk The Royal National College for the Blind, Venns Lane, Hereford HR1 1DT Company limited by guarantee no. 2367626

Registered charity no. 1000388

RNCHereford

www.rnc.ac.uk @RNC_official

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SPOKZ:

BREAKING THE MOULD

pokz, a disability product retailer, has teamed up with ORacing wheelchair manufacturers in Spain to offer the next level of bespoke wheelchairs to the UK market. Excellent lightweight build quality, many accessories and individual aftercare means ORacing wheelchairs allow people with physical disabilities to express their individuality whilst having a chair they can rely on.

Steve Dent, MD of Spokz and a wheelchair user for over 27 years, joined up with Felipe Garcia, MD of ORacing and also a long time wheelchair user, because they share a similar philosophy: to work with the best products on the market, providing quality, value for money and a solid guarantee to treat each client as an individual. Spokz are committed to making sure customers are totally satisfied, including comprehensive aftercare. Both Steve and Felipe have been wheelchair users for many years and have firsthand experience of the complexity of choosing and buying a new chair. Customers are measured for a chair size that fits to the millimetre with a variety of wheels, spoke colours,

castors colours and if something different is wanted, something truly unique, custom-made upholstery (back rests and cushions), footplates, spoke guards and many other options are available.

Oracing experience has, so far, been quite the opposite! Steve has been a great help through the ordering process and his knowledge, experience and ‘can do’ attitude are a breath of fresh air!”

Lee, the first customer to purchase an ORacing chair from Spokz, shares his experience: “Most ‘new chairs’ I’ve had have taken a while to get used to but this has been like a duck to water. I’m impressed with the build quality and attention to detail, the ride is smooth and the main thing is that it fits like a glove and feels really light. I’ve been a wheelchair user for 17 years and have had a few chairs in that time, both good and bad, but I’ve always been disappointed by the customer service. My Spokz/

Spokz also sell a wide range of wheelchair parts, fitness equipment and other disability equipment, have a look at the website for more information.

iDID Adaptive Adventure Conference 2014

or the first time in the UK, iDID Adventure brought together professionals working in the adventure industry and disability sport to collaborate in raising awareness of adaptive adventure sports. iDID’s Adaptive Adventure Conference was held on Friday 4th April at Kings Park Conference Centre, Northampton. The conference aimed to provide practical skills and information to adventure professionals and those working with disabled individuals, to increase their knowledge and confidence when accessing or delivering adaptive adventure sports. Free tickets were provided courtesy of Lipspeaker UK. Contributing to the day were representatives from UK Deaf Sport, British Waterski and Wakeboard, Disability Snowsports UK, British Disabled Waterski and Wakeboard Association, British Mountaineering Council, British University and College Sports, OnThisRoc and of course, iDID Adventure. The highlights of the day were talks from World Paraclimbing Campion, Fran Brown and Double Winter Paralympian, Anna Turney.

Informative >> Over 65 professionals from both adventure and disability sport took part in informative workshops ranging from Inclusive Communications and Sight Guiding through to Adaptive wakeboarding and snowsports. The day kicked off with two morning workshops. iDID’s Inclusive Communication session which saw delegates challenging their own methods of communicating information. Peter Thorpe, Ski School Manager for DSUK also gave a fantastic demonstration on adaptive equipment used in snowsports and talked about how simple it was for people to take up adaptive skiing.

“

I have already learned more about inclusive communication in 20 minutes than numerous events over the past 6 years”

Ian Barham, Legacy Manager for Buckinghamshire

Inspiring >>

The Future >>

A key message that resonated through the day was how easy it was to adapt adventure sports for disabled people.

iDID Adventure are now making plans for the 2015 conference set to be held in Buckinghamshire. To register your interest in sponsoring the event, please contact info@ididadventure.co.uk

“It’s not difficult to be inclusive, any rope system can be adapted” – Fran Brown, World Paraclimbing Champion

For more information about any of the workshops, speakers or general conference details, please contact:

Double Winter Paralympian, Anna Turney gripped the audience with tales of determination in Sochi, Japan and Stoke Mandeville and talked about why she wanted to be involved in the conference.

Susanne Rees s.rees@ididadventure.co.uk www.ididadventure.co.uk

“It’s wonderful to be part of this event, I really wanted to demonstrate that although I can’t stand up, there are so many other things I CAN do”

Innovative >>

Or visit our dedicated page: www.ididadventure.co.uk/adaptiveadventure-conference

“

Following a buzzing networking lunch, delegates were given the opportunity to put the National Lead organisations on the spot in our expert Q&A panel featuring: Graeme Hill, GB Paraclimbing Team Manager, Lee Dolby from UK Deaf Sport, Dave Pagden from British University and College Sports, Peter Thorpe from Disability Snowsports UK, Natalie Masters from British Waterski and Wakeboard and Trevor Leagas from British Disabled Waterski and Wakeboarding Association. It was clear from the outset that more work needs to be done to improve opportunities for people with invisible disabilities. Lee Dolby from UK Deaf Sport featured on the expert Q&A Panel sparking a much needed discussion about ‘hidden disabilities’ and the use of the word ‘Inclusive’.

Supportive >> iDID Adventure CEO, Susanne Rees explained her reasons for launching the Adaptive Adventure Conference, “During my work with iDID I’ve been struck by the amount of professionals who want to provide inclusive opportunities but don’t know how. Training courses are few and far between and we recognised a need for more information and signposting. Not only do iDID provide its own training, we also signpost to others to ensure professionals get what’s right for them. This event provides an opportunity for essential learning and networking.”

What did our delegates say?

“Great event, really thought provoking” “I learnt a lot about the social approach towards coaching disabled people” “I’m so much more informed about how to be inclusive” “It was fantastic to learn about what resources are available to us” “It was really interesting and informative, fantastic networking. Opened up a whole new area for us” “Really looking forward to next year, hope to see an even wider range of workshops available” “I really enjoyed meeting likeminded people who were so willing to help” “Learning about resources available was invaluable, it was eye opening to learn about the different needs within disability” “I have a greater understand about inclusive communication skills now, excellent workshop”

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English Federation of Disability Sport: Supporting disabled people to be active for life

“

Undoubtedly, in 2012 this country delivered an amazing showcase of sport. The Paralympic Games on home soil meant more disabled people were recognised at the high point in their careers. Two years on, we have seen a significant shift in interest from disabled people who want to find ways to be active and providers who want to “get it right”. However, the statistics show that disabled people are still not taking part as much as non-disabled people, so there is still an enormous amount to do. As Barry Horne, Chief Executive of English Federation of Disability Sport, explains: “The harsh reality is that disabled people are still much more likely to be inactive than non-disabled people and often face particular barriers which prevent a positive experience. We should appreciate that for some disabled people being active may not be feasible. However, our research tells us that the majority of disabled people want to be more active and they require local opportunities which fit in to their daily lives and values.”

he English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) exists to ensure that millions of disabled people can lead active lifestyles and looks to a better future where everyone can enjoy the opportunities available. EFDS is a national charity, dedicated to disabled people in sport and physical activity, supporting a wide range of organisations to include disabled people more effectively. Established in September 1998 as England’s lead body for this purpose, EFDS has a vision that disabled people are active for life.

“

Take chances. Take the opportunities while they’re there. You grab them, you never know what will happen. Just enjoy it.”

Tom Minchington, athlete

In addition to being a funded Sport England National Partner, EFDS provides a platform for collaborative working across England, across sports and the main impairment groups. As a Federation, EFDS brings together our Members’ energy and expertise. You can find out more about EFDS partners like the National Disability Sport Organisations in this magazine or visit our website using this link: www.efds.co.uk/about/partners Alongside Sport England, EFDS is driving the change needed in policies and practice which aim to ensure that disabled people enjoy equal access to sport and physical activity and not just as participants, but also as customers, employees and volunteers. To support a range of organisations to understand disabled people’s needs, EFDS has worked hard to increase the research and insight available. Ensuring disabled people have a voice within EFDS’s work is a key focus for the charity. Sharing insight into disabled people’s motivations and the barriers to participation as well as better understanding best practice , means that providers have the information needed to offer new opportunities that are inclusive.

“Being active is important in all our lives whether a disabled person or not. Sport can play a huge role in the life of someone disabledbuilding your confidence, allowing you to meet likeminded people but most of all it gives you a goal. It allows you to do something that you love. Everybody should be able to get involved in the sport of their choice and EFDS is working hard to make this possible”

Martine Wright, sitting volleyball

More information EFDS’s website provides a wealth of information for disabled people to read about, access or take part in a range of activities. www.efds.co.uk >> Inclusive Fitness Initiative Promoting over 400 accredited gym facilities which are accessible to disabled people across the country. www.efds.co.uk/inclusive_fitness >> Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All training Working in partnership to give teachers the ability to include more disabled children and adults in sport, through teacher and community training. www.efds.co.uk/resources/ sainsbury_s_active_kids_for_all >> In Your Area Find out more news and activities in your region www.efds.co.uk/our_work_in_sport/ in_your_area >> Participation opportunities Search through many activities to find a sport, location or level right for you. www.efds.co.uk/events

Buckinghamshire…

Helping Deliver a Lasting Legacy

toke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire is recognised as the birthplace of the Paralympic movement. In the grounds of Stoke Mandeville Hospital in July 1948 Dr Ludwig Guttmann organised the first ever sporting events for disabled people and the seeds for the Paralympic movement were first sown. Buckinghamshire is also renowned as the Entrepreneurial Heart of Britain having for many years started more businesses than anywhere else in the UK. It is home to Pinewood Studio’s the creative film engine for James Bond, Lara Croft and The Hobbit

and home to most of the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit. Despite being only 45 mins from London 40 mins from Heathrow, much of the county is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with the Chiltern Hills running through the heart of the landscape. What is more, the fast and accessible rail connections make Bucks the perfect base for a short country break close to the capital. Stoke Mandeville’s significance to the Paralympic movement did not end in 1948. It hosted the first international sporting events in 1952 and International Sporting Competitions were held annually up to and beyond the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960. In 1984, it even stepped in at late notice to co-host the Paralympic Games with New York. In recent years, Stoke Mandeville Stadium has hosted numerous international sporting competitions; international training camps and the ever growing programme of development camps many hosted by WheelPower the owners of Stoke Mandeville Stadium and the national charity for Wheelchair Sport. Stoke Mandeville’s connection with the Paralympic movement was firmly cemented at the London 2012 Games. The Paralympic mascot was named Mandeville,

the Mandeville Legacy programme was established as a major heritage strand of the Cultural Olympiad and the Stadium was selected as the starting point for the Paralympic Torch Relay. To ensure that this momentum continued after London 2012, a new Buckinghamshire Legacy Board was established to use the status as the birthplace of the Paralympic movement as the catalyst to help deliver better and more inclusive opportunities for inward investment, healthcare, sport, tourism, culture and education. The board brought together top level representatives from across the public and private sector to help raise aspirations and deliver a programme of activity befitting the unique status of the county. One of the fundamental challenges for the new board was to ensure that Stoke Mandeville played a direct role in all future Paralympic Games. Following discussions between the Legacy Board, the International Paralympic Committee and the British Paralympic Association it was agreed in 2013 that Stoke Mandeville and Great Britain will always stage one leg of the Paralympic Torch Relay starting with the Sochi 2014 winter games.

n the evening of March 1st 2014, Stoke Mandeville Stadium hosted a spectacular celebration based around a 9 metre high armillary sphere powered by Paralympic Champion Hannah Cockroft to create the spark for the Paralympic Heritage Flame. The ceremony which also featured British Paralympic legend Caz Walton, aspiring Paralympian Andy Barlow and community champion Denise Knibbs was broadcast live on Channel 4 and was showcased in a fantastic film documentary narrated by Sir Ian Mckellen that was featured as part of the opening ceremony in Sochi and can be seen at www.buckslegacy.org. The creative programme for the celebrations were devised by Bradley Hemmings and his team from the Greenwich International Festival and was supported by a grant from Arts Council England. The response from the International Paralympic Committee has been fantastic with Sir Philip Craven the President of the IPC describing the “enthusiasm, skill and passion shown within the celebrations as chiming perfectly with the Paralympic Spirit.” Work is now well underway on planning for the Rio summer games in 2016 and in seeing how the impetus from the bi-annual international event can used to drive the whole programme. For many of the board partners, the most significant opportunity centres around further economic investment, particularly through the development of healthcare technologies. Bucks New University through its Centre for Telecare and Assisted Living (CETAL) have recently opened a new living lab facility at Aylesbury College where a range of prototype devices aimed to make the average home more accessible are being put through their paces. The lab is

“

Disability sport has shown its power to influence change for good, we want to ensure that here at the cradle of Paralympic sport that power is used wisely and to the benefit all. Ian Barham Buckinghamshire Legacy Manager

”

already proving its worth in helping provide hands on training for healthcare and social care professionals and in helping test and develop new products using standard home technology such as a TV’s or I-pad’s. Such has been the impact of the facility that a more extensive living lab is being planned for a new University campus in Aylesbury and incubation units for further health technology businesses are included within plans for exciting regional growth plans. On the sporting front, Leap, our County Sport and Activity Partnership, have identified the development of a new coach development programme looking directly at the needs of disability sport as one of its core priorities. Whilst participation numbers here in Bucks have increased significantly over the past two years, there is still a long way to go to close the gap between participation levels between disabled and non-disabled people. One of the biggest factors in making this happen is the development of an appropriately skilled workforce which focuses specifically on disabled people and their friends and family. We are looking to use some of the major events taking place within the county as a focus to drive this work. One of the biggest of those events is the IWAS (the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation) World Junior Wheelchair Games which are taking place at Stoke Mandeville Stadium between August 2nd – 8th. Despite being Stoke Mandeville based, IWAS have not organised an event on home soil for many years but are hoping to now arrange regular home events having been buoyed by the record response for the homecoming which will welcome over 500 athletes and officials from over 20 countries.

conference bringing together some of the leading lights in accessible tourism recently met in Bucks to consider how more could be done to make more accessible breaks available to all. A 10 point plan which included simple advice on how to help hotels and accommodation providers adapt rooms to meet the needs of all customers, how promotions could be targeted more smartly and how the findings of access audits could be consistently delivered emerged. To help support this work, we are taking proactive steps to ensure that accessibility and inclusivity are included major developments including our taxi licensing services, where we will shortly be launching a new fare4all scheme, major town centre developments and in training and support for town planners and developers. Disability sport has shown its power to influence change for good, we want to ensure that here at the cradle of Paralympic sport that power is used wisely and to the benefit all. We recognise that with all great challenges it will not always be easy, but then again, quite frankly what worthwhile ever is? To find out more about the programme and to see how you can be part of our journey visit www.buckslegacy.org. Follow us at: @buckslegacy

>> Written by: Ian Barham Buckinghamshire Legacy Manager

Speaking of warm welcomes, that is something we want to ensure for all of our visitors to the county. An international

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WHEELPOWER

British Wheelchair Sport

ust 70 years ago the idea of a Paralympic Games was barely dreamt of let alone a reality that would later grow into the second largest sporting event in the world. Then German born Dr. Ludwig Guttmann who had escaped Nazi Germany started work at the National Spinal Injuries Centre in Stoke Mandeville. He was the first to believe that disabled people could benefit from having the opportunity to play sport. At a time where the patients had a life expectancy of under two years, Guttmann’s visionary work has transformed many thousands of lives. On the day of the opening of the 1948 London Summer Olympics Guttmann hosted a sports competition for 16 participants with a spinal cord injury. The Stoke Mandeville Games were a huge success and soon became an international event. By 1976 the Games

were opened to amputees and visually impaired athletes for the first time as it continued to grow into the Paralympic Games we know today. Guttmann’s ideas would change lives forever. People with all types of disabilities can find a sport they can enjoy and have the chance to compete on the world stage. Sir Ludwig Guttmann also set up the charity now known as WheelPower. At WheelPower, we are passionate about sport. Whether you are a first timer or you are a potential Paralympian, we support and promote participation at all levels. Based at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement, WheelPower is the national organisation for wheelchair sport. We know how playing sport can enrich lives, offering tremendous physical and psychological benefits, whatever your age or ability. While sport can develop confidence and improve fitness, it’s also a great way to have fun and make friends. Both our junior and adult event programmes run throughout the year for people to have a go and compete on activities such as Archery, Table Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball, Zone Hockey and much more.

Get Involved WheelPower have many events for disabled adults or children to take part in sport. At Stoke Mandeville Stadium, we provide over 440 people a year with the opportunity to have a go and develop their skills in a wide range of sports in friendly, safe, and inclusive environment. Our sports programme welcomes people a physical disability such as an amputation, spinal injury or cerebral palsy. Interested? Contact Stewart Jeeves via

stewart.jeeves@wheelpower.org.uk

or 01296 395995

“

At WheelPower, we are passionate about sport. Whether you are a first timer or you are a potential Paralympian, we support and promote participation at all levels.

”

Be Empowered, Feel Great, Look Great We all want to look good and feel positive, both of which rely on us feeling enabled and empowered. Conventional wheelchairs fail to offer these benefits so we decided to re-invent the wheelchair. Carbon Black is the result of a seven year development combining leading F1 composite engineers, top designers and active wheelchair users. Never before has a wheelchair received such a high level of design and development. The result is a chair that epitomises minimal, low impact simplicity. Outside the “less is more” form means more person less wheelchair is the reality. The discreet height adjustable and interchangeable backrest offers postural support and comfort beyond the conventional. The ergonomic carbon pushrims give a pleasing tactile grip for effortless pushing.

Within, Carbon Black has all the composites engineering akin to a formula 1 race car resulting in unparalleled energy efficiency, outstanding strength, minimal weight and a smooth vibration absorbing ride. This all cocooned in carbon fibre, a material that doesn’t scratch the users car or damage their home and is warm and pleasing to the touch. The sleek sexy style is far removed from the conventional wheelchair as we know it. Every chair is built bespoke to the customer’s size and configuration needs. Every chair is hand built in the UK by expert carbon fibre engineers. The minimal form of the carbon fibre monocoque gives the user easier access for transfers and a very compact, light chair to lift and stow in the car.

CHANGING PERCEPTIONS

But the journey to develop the ultimate wheelchair had a deeper challenge than to create a technical marvel. The challenge was to empower the user and create positive perceptions towards them and their chair. Today Carbon Black is changing how many view the wheelchair, no longer a style stifling medical device but a stylish accessory that draws positive admiration from all who see it. The Carbon Black team are highly experienced and available to answer your questions and carry out a no obligation demo.

Visit our website: www.carbonblacksystem.com for more information and to arrange a demonstration.

InstructAbility

Fitness industry training for disabled people wide range of impairments, including wheelchair users, have qualified as gym instructors.

isabled people are working as gym instructors and making the gym more welcoming and attractive to a wider cross section of society.

Due to the current lack of role models, disabled people don’t often consider a career in the fitness industry but since the innovative InstructAbility programme launched in 2011, one hundred people, with a

InstructAbility was set up by Aspire, the spinal injury charity and delivered in partnership with YMCAfit. The scheme funded by Sport England provides disabled people with gym instructor training and qualifications followed by an industry placement where graduates work to encourage more disabled people in the local community to participate in fitness and exercise sessions. To date InstructAbility graduates have contributed to more than 10,000 hours of voluntary service in over forty

different leisure facilities across London and the South East. Not only are they supporting other disabled people to get active but as many as fifty percent of graduates have also gained employment. Sam James, 34 years old from Swindon, joined the InstructAbility programme last year and has been in demand as a fitness professional ever since. Sam, who has cerebral palsy, has been employed by Swindon and Wiltshire Borough Councils to deliver exercise sessions and assist the health improvement team. After going on to qualify as a Zumba and Boxercise instructor Sam is now also employed as a school physical disabilities outreach worker. Ross Morrison from Farnborough who is currently on a work placement at Farnborough Leisure Centre, has already secured a role at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre, in Salisbury as a physical activity advisor. Ross broke his neck in 1996 playing rugby, leaving him paralysed from the chest down. As a former Paralympic wheelchair rugby player and now qualified fitness instructor, Ross is ideally placed to support other spinally injured people to participate in sport and fitness.

Disabled & Unemployed 16yrs + (no maximum age) with gym user experience Able to commit to all training and 12 week voluntary placement We are looking for people who can use their own experience of overcoming barriers to exercise and improving physical function and/or mental health, to inspire and support other disabled people to exercise. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2014 Courses

London, South East, Midlands & Eastern Regions

2015 Courses

As above plus Northern Regions

Apply online

Another success story of the InstructAbility programme is that of father of four, Richard Claridge, who has been blind since birth. Despite gaining a Law degree and being an international goalball player, Richard struggled to gain employment. However, after completing a voluntary work placement at the Arena Leisure Centre in Surrey he has now been offered paid work as a gym instructor. Hilary Farmiloe, from Aspire, who manages the InstructAbility

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programme is delighted to see so many positive outcomes from the project. She says, “InstructAbility challenges the negative perceptions of disabled people in society and improves leisure, health and employment outcomes for disabled people. Our instructors are well placed to understand some of the challenges disabled people face and promote the benefits of exercise for physical and mental well-being.” “Exercise is important to everybody and never more so than now, as we have ever increasing cases of poor health associated with inactive lifestyles. If we are going to succeed in getting more people coming to the gym we need to demonstrate that it truly is an inclusive environment and that is where InstructAbility can make a difference” The FREE programme is open to unemployed, disabled people who are over sixteen years old and have some gym user experience. You can apply online at www.aspire.org.uk Call: 07917 822977 or Email: instructability@aspire.org.uk for further information.

ICE TRIKES:

Performance Recumbent Trikes

t’s a cold, windy day on the exposed Thruxton race circuit. Competitors from around the UK are warming up on their bikes ahead of a 10 mile cycling time trial. Simon Richardson, winner of three Beijing Paralympic cycling medals, waits on the start line for his first race since 2011. Three years ago, while training for the London 2012 Paralympics, Simon was hit by a drunk driver. Airlifted to hospital in a critical condition he was diagnosed with a detached lung, broken pelvis and his back broken in two places. Doctors said that he would never ride again. The accident left Simon unable to walk but he was determined to find a way to return to the sport he loved. In 2013 Simon discovered recumbent trikes. Recumbent trikes have inherent stability and low stress on the neck, shoulders, back and arms. The rider sits in a reclined seat with their feet facing forward to pedal, and steers with handlebars comfortably positioned on each side. After a quick search online, Simon discovered UK-based Inspired Cycle Engineering (ICE), world-leading experts in recumbent design and manufacturer. Simon visited their factory to test ride their trikes and realised that this was his route back to cycling. Simon now rides an ICE VTX trike. “The trike is absolutely brilliant. It’s great to be back cycling again.” says Simon. ICE produces a range of models for different riding styles, from racing to touring, leisurely rides to commuting. All the models can be adapted and customised to suit a variety of needs.

“Recumbent trikes are for everyone” says Chris Parker, director at ICE “So long as you can turn the cranks and steer, you can ride a recumbent trike”. ICE prides itself on helping every customer find the right trike for them. Every trike is built to order to the customer’s own specification, and is guaranteed for 10 years. “Trikes are about getting out and having fun. We want people to enjoy their trikes and get the most out of them, and that’s what motivates us.” says Chris.

www.icetrikes.co.uk

People from all over the world cycle ICE recumbent trikes for fitness, freedom and fun. For some, a recumbent lets them cycle with their kids in the park or go for a ride with friends. For others, like Simon, recumbents open the door to audax rides, multi-sport events, and racing. And how did Simon do at his first cycling race of three years? “The trike went really well in the race. It took me 38 minutes to do the 10 miles, which I was pleased with for my first time back” says Simon. Simon is now looking forward to his next big race, improving his times and moving up the rankings.

Performance Recumbent Trikes

Sports and leisure trikes adaptable to a wide range of specific needs

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Introducing

Level Playing Field

evel Playing Field (LPF) is the trading name for the National Association of Disabled Supporters. LPF, a registered charity, was originally established in 1998 and is recognised as the representative and co-ordinating body of disabled sports fans. The organisation is led by a pan-disabled representative Board of Trustees, elected by its members, and is further supported by its President and Vice Presidents (Honorary Officers) who act in an advisory and ambassadorial capacity. The honorary officers include key persons within the Football, Disability and Political arenas. Level Playing Field has a wide range of members including professional clubs, disabled supporters associations and individuals. Our key objectives are to promote an inclusive agenda, to raise awareness and to enhance wellbeing and social inclusion through football and other sports and by ensuring an equality of spectator experience for all fans. The charity represents the views, issues and concerns of disabled supporters to sports governing bodies and government. Our small team of dedicated staff provide disability and access guidance and mediation and independent expert advice on all matters related to sporting venues and an inclusive match and event day experience for disabled fans. Our works encompass a wide range of support services and our stakeholders include architects, local planners and access officers, clubs, managers of sports venues, policy makers, politicians and all party groups, media, other fans groups, equality and disability organisations and not least

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disabled people, disabled sports fans and disabled supporters associations and their advocates. LPF always shares good practice examples where they exist and by using these examples, it aims to help deliver low cost and smart design solutions to other sporting venues and clubs so that they too can provide accessible and inclusive facilities and services. LPF also offers Disability Awareness Training services and our unique professional Access Audit Programme (specifically written for sports stadia), Design Appraisals for new Sports Stadia and helps clubs to write and achieve their Access Plans. Level Playing Field relies on funding from the Football Stadium Improvement Fund, Fans Fund, and the Football Association, along with membership fees and ad hoc donations. We very much welcome this funding and the recent increase to our core funding. However, the demands on Level Playing Field within football and other sports increase year on year and we are under increasing pressure with the resources at our disposal. Issues Facing Level Playing Field There are more than 10 million disabled people in the UK, approximately 12% of the population with an estimated spending power in excess of ÂŁ90bn per year. Yet disabled people remain significantly less likely to participate in cultural, leisure and sporting activities than non-disabled people. There has been some good progress with a few sports stadiums and arenas offering a truly inclusive welcome to disabled people. However, unfortunately in spite of robust legislation (Equality Act 2010 and

the previous Disability Discrimination Act), many clubs still do not provide an accessible and inclusive service to disabled fans and certainly not when considering what is on offer to non-disabled sports fans. The 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics set a standard of good access for disabled sports fans with accessible venues provided across the Olympic Park. Alongside, the Gamesmakers who were on hand to ensure an inclusive welcome to all. That experience has given disabled people a taste of just what is possible with the right intention and commitment to ensure sporting venues that are fit-for-purpose. We must build on that experience! As such, Level Playing Field is working closely with its partners and government to ensure that the governing sports bodies, their clubs and sporting arenas now build on these standards that were set for London 2012. The legacy must be to ensure an inclusive and equal experience for all sports loving fans and at all our sporting events and venues. Level Playing Field supports the Social Model of Disability, which states that people are only disabled or excluded by the existing barriers within our society. We are extremely proud of our achievements to date and the impact and influence we have had in improving the match day experience for so many disabled people who enjoy watching live sports or aspire to do so. But there is still so much more to do to ensure â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Equal and Inclusive Access for All Fansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. We look forward to sharing our news and key topics with you in future editions of this magazine. Please watch this space.

The Level Playing Field Access Audit Programme Level Playing Field is uniquely placed to offer Access Audits specifically designed for sports stadia, venues and arenas. The programme is led by our experienced in house NRAC Access Auditor to provide professional, cost effective audits tailored specifically to the requirements of providing accessible sporting venues.

he LPF audits are undertaken by a small team of appointed NRAC accredited LPF Access Consultants specialised in auditing sporting venues. NRAC consultants are peer reviewed each year by the National Register of Access Consultants to ensure their continued accreditation to NRAC. The Access Audit is the first step to help organisations meet the requirements of the Equality Act. It will demonstrate a commitment to improving access for disabled people and if used properly will increase custom and turnover and could help to mitigate clubs against claims of disability discrimination. An LPF Access Audit can put clubs ahead of the game. It is an opportunity to see where they stand in terms of disability access and provision and to plan for any recommended changes.

LPF Access Audits cover all aspects of the spectator experience including nonmatch day and match day activities. Each audit is undertaken in view of a spectator’s journey from first seeking information and purchasing tickets through to attending the match or event day and includes each aspect of their journey from arriving at the sporting venue to leaving at the end of the match or event. The access audit includes a detailed audit of the stadium or ground and club facilities, ticketing and operational policies, accessible services and information, club personnel training, accessible workspace, hospitality areas, amenities and any associated outlets. We look beyond the built environment to take into account the pan disability requirements of sports spectators. We revisit the stadium on a match day, take time to talk to key personnel, look at the clubs’ policies and procedures and provide disability awareness training, on-going support and access advice. The report measures existing facilities and services against minimum industry standards, equality legislation and access regulations, including the UEFA and CAFE “Good Practice Guide to Creating an Accessible Stadium and Match-day Experience - Access for All” and “Accessible Stadia”, and will also recognise where clubs are already doing things well. LPF then works closely with the club to help develop an achievable programme (Access Plan) to address the recommendations in the report. Each venue is allocated a dedicated auditor who may continue to provide access advice and guidance following the audit. LPF encourages each client to review the access audit each year as part of their evolving duty within the Equality Act.

Level Playing Field continues to monitor the Access Audit industry and recognises that the market is very competitive. There are a number of organisations and individuals who are supplying “Access Audits” that may not be fit for purpose for a professional sports club. With this in mind, and in line with our charitable works, LPF Access Audits are priced to cover our costs. The LPF access audits are offered at extremely competitive charitable rates dependant on the size and scale of the venue. LPF’s primary aim is to provide firstclass access advice and guidance to its clients rather than to make a profit. Since setting up the programme, LPF has audited professional football clubs and their stadiums within the Premier and Football Leagues and several rugby and cricket grounds. In 2013, LPF was commissioned by the FA of Wales to audit each of its professional clubs and was also commissioned by the Rugby Football League (RFL) facilities Trust to undertake access audits at each of its Championship clubs. Further, the RFL has instructed its Super League clubs to undertake professional access audits and LPF have agreed a preferred fee to complete these audits. For more information or to commission a Level Playing Field Access Audit, please contact us and we will be pleased to offer advice and discuss your requirements.

To contact Level Playing Field: W: www.levelplayingfield.org.uk E: info@levelplayingfield.org.uk T: 020 8621 2403

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England & Wales Cricket Board Disability Cricket

with the County Cricket Boards to get the word out – that cricket can be for anyone and everyone! The ECB has a dedicated email address: disabilitycricket@ecb.co.uk that anyone can use to put their query to the national governing body about what might be on offer for them. Recent research published by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) suggests that disabled people are of the opinion that cricket is not an accessible sport. The ECB is totally committed to demonstrating that being involved in cricket can be a legitimate lifestyle choice for all disabled people.

t may come as a surprise to many that as part of England Cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board currently field four England Disability Cricket Teams. The England Deaf, Visually Impaired, Learning and Physically sides are now a well-established part of the cricket landscape. This part of cricket’s shop window is supported by a slowly emerging domestic game at county and community level. The next four years provide a fantastic opportunity for this part of the game to really grow and flourish. All ECB County Cricket Boards now receive support to help them to develop programmes for those disabled

“

With all the new opportunities now available, the ECB will be working closely with the County Cricket Boards to get the word out – that cricket can be for anyone and everyone!

”

people who might like to try cricket. The level of support that the ECB has secured from Sport England is significant and represents one of the highest levels of investment, outside the Paralympic Sports. We know that significant numbers of young disabled people are, and have been, introduced to cricket in schools, through a number of new and innovative formats of the game including: Table Cricket, Chance to Shine, Cricket for Change, Asda Inclusive Kwik Cricket. The challenge for the sport is now to continue to offer opportunities once these young people have left school; in community and club environments. However what we are very conscious of is that playing is but one form of involvement in the game and we are working very hard with specific ECB departments and the network of National Disability Sports Organisations (NDSO) to provide further opportunities for disabled people in coaching, volunteering and officiating. In 2014 the ECB, working with Blind Cricket England and Wales, will qualify the second intake of visually impaired coaches. Cricket was one of the first non-Paralympic sports to develop its own cricket-specific pandisability course for coaches wishing to coach disabled players. With all the new opportunities now available, the ECB will be working closely

Through ‘One Game’ the ECB Inclusion and Diversity strategy, cricket is on a journey to take the sport to a more people and to a wider and broader cross-section of the population. For disabled people, opportunities to become involved in cricket are here to stay. Cricket has come a long way but there is still much to do. Cricket does not have all of the answers but is willing to work with others to find them. This is new territory for some in cricket and some disabled people – but for others it is very much business as usual! Once cricket can demonstrate and evidence that what we are proposing for disability cricket, is a tried and tested formula, then we remain confident that the progress we are already witnessing will be accelerated. The ECB has contact with a network of over 120 clubs up and down the country who already welcome disabled people. Putting them in contact with those who are about to embark on a similar venture, has done much to ensure that cricket remains a welcoming sport and those that try what is on offer not disappointed. For anyone finding out what cricket has to offer is only an email away. We are as interested in those who enjoy ‘playing cricket badly’ as we are in nurturing the next generation of England players.

Why not give it a go!

England & Wales Cricket Board: www.ecb.co.uk/development/disability-cricket Email: disabilitycricket@ecb.co.uk Blind Cricket England & Wales www.bcew.co.uk England Cricket Association for the Deaf: www.ecad.hitssports.com/home/default.aspx British Association for Cricketers with Disabilities www.bacd.co.uk

Cricket Federation for People with Disabilities www.cfpd.org.uk Table Cricket, Community & Schools mark.dowling@cpsport.org john.sullivan@lordstaverners.org

Durham Visually Impaired Cricket Club

isually Impaired (VI) cricket is a specially adapted version of the game that is suitable for anyone with a visual impairment – whether partially sighted or totally blind. The main adaptation is the ball. In the domestic leagues and cups, the game is played with a size three football that is filled with tiny carbon balls that make a sound when the ball bounces or is struck by the bat. In the international game, the matches are played with a plastic ball, slightly larger than a standard cricket ball, which is also filled with smaller balls to create the sound. Other adaptions include larger stumps and various amendments to the rules of sighted cricket that accommodate the visually impaired. Teams are made up of players with a variety of sight classifications from ‘Totals’, who are totally blind and wear eye masks, to ‘High Partials’, who are partially sighted. The game has been played in the UK since the 1940s, when it began as a means of recreation for injured servicemen returning from the Second World War. Today the game is played by a number of clubs up and down the country. There is a National League, comprising seven clubs, and a Development League, which features 12 clubs split into two divisions – the North and East Division and the South and West Division. Durham VI Cricket Club began life several years ago as the North East Eagles. I became involved in the summer of 2010, when we had just a handful of interested players and very little experience. We did manage to get together a team of eleven players to take part in that year’s Development Weekend, held at York University. As to be expected from a group of players who had never been in the same place at the same time before, we had mixed results on the field of play. We did, however, have a thoroughly enjoyable weekend and were awarded the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ award for our fair play and attitude. At the end of that summer, we held our first AGM, where a constitution was drawn up and we officially changed the name to Durham VI Cricket Club, in order to develop closer links to the Durham County Cricket Board.

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In our first full summer we played several friendlies and even entered the BBS Knockout Cup. There was improvement on the field and a continued sense of enjoyment and team spirit off it. That year, the Development Weekend moved to its current home at Leicester University and it was here that the idea of a Development League was first discussed. The League was in place for the summer of 2012, and for the next two summers Durham played matches home and away to Yorkshire’s development team, Nottinghamshire Knights and Lancashire. This year’s Development League sees the addition of Derbyshire to the North and East Division, which means that we will play a total of eight league games this season. We have started well, with an eight wicket win away to Notts. Unfortunately our BBS Cup match against Yorkshire’s first team did not go so well, but at least we have our fifth Development Weekend to look forward to in September. As well as our matches, we have winter training sessions at the Indoor Cricket Centre in Chester-le-Street and, once the weather improves, we train weekly outdoors at Darlington RA Cricket Club (which is where we currently play our matches).

The biggest issue that we face as a club is player recruitment, and retention. It seems that the VI community in the North East is not that aware of VI cricket, and we face stiff competition from goalball and VI tennis, which have taken off in a big way. We also find that players who live in the more northern areas of the county, or the North East region as a whole, have some reservations about travelling to Darlington, but most of us use trains and there is some subsidy available for travel costs. I can say that in my time volunteering with the club, which has seen me take my Level one and Two coaching badges, I have seen players develop both as cricketers and as people. I have no doubt that the players benefit both physically and socially from their involvement with the club, and our away trips are always full of laughs. We are always on the lookout for new players and anyone with a visual impairment who would like to give the game a go, whatever their experience, can contact me at gareth.townley9@ntlworld.com We welcome players of any age or gender and with any level of sight loss. >> Writtien By: Gareth Townley Club Secretary and Assistant Coach Durham Visually Impaired Cricket Club

Hit the Top Disability Sports Programme

it The Top (HTT) is a sports and personal development programme that aims to have a profound and positive impact upon the lives of young people with a physical, visual or learning disability. HTT gives young people independence,

confidence and new friendships through the power of sport. The programme operates a year round network of 32 clubs across London involving 1,500 young people aged 8 to 25 with a disability. HTT is delivered by a team of coaches who themselves

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have a disability and who seek to mentor and build trusting relationships with the young people taking part. The programme, gratefully supported by special needs schools, mainstream schools with disability units, mainstream cricket clubs, invaluable funding partners, parents and teachers also delivers 6 week programmes in special needs schools to raise awareness of the HTT clubs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;HTT has helped me grow in confidence, become more independent, gain coaching qualifications, and enabled me to have a positive impact on others.â&#x20AC;? Ryan Jones, HTT participant & now England Blind Cricketer.

For more information on Hit The Top run by Cricket for Change, please get in touch: cricketforchange.org.uk

020 8669 2177 offceecricketforchange.org.uk

total-play Ltd helps Frimley CC become centre for visually impaired cricket

lready running three Saturday league teams, two Sunday friendly teams and a thriving junior section Frimley CC club has been awarded ECB Focus Club status and named the new home of Surrey’s VI squad, having worked extensively with the Surrey Cricket Board to instigate VI cricket in the county.

VI Cricket at the site. It was heartbreaking last year to try and coach a young Visually Impaired girl when, already challenged with not being able to see the ball until it is about 3m away, for that ball to suddenly dart of at right angles because it hit a bump on the outfield.”

total-play installed a two lane, fully enclosed facility based on its ECB approved To give Surrey’s VI Squad the tp365 system with a 2.4m best chance of competing to high security fence and pedestrian access gate. its potential a safe, secure Bespoke elements include a area with a consistent brightly coloured two-tone surface was essential. Club carpet, the use of white Chairman, Gary Dunford, guide lines on the surface explains: and white batting curtains to help players pick out the “It was absolutely vital that ball. For more information we created a safe, secure and flat net facility at Frimley please visit: www.total-play.co.uk if we were going to develop

Howzat?

Robert Pack Cricket bowls over Kieran Gibbs with his amazing new cricket bat!

Design - Construction - Maintenance - Refurbishment

A first-class playing surface – 365 days of the year total-play’s ECB approved tp365 non-turf pitch system offers: • Low maintenance – roll & watering free

• Unique design options

• High performance – encouraging spin

• Bespoke solutions

• Fully carpeted - no internal trip hazards

• Match & practice facilities • Refurbishment options

T: +44(0) 1604 864 575 | E: info@total-play.co.uk | W: www.total-play.co.uk

obert Pack Cricket is Northamptonshire’s leading supplier of handcrafted, bespoke cricket bats. Master bat maker Robert Pack prides himself on creating you the perfect bat for your game, which he certainly achieved for Kieran Gibbs, aged 13. Kieran suffers from bilateral, which makes playing cricket with a standard cricket bat difficult. Kieran met Robert in 2013, after the first consultation, Robert knew he could help. Robert explained “Being a cricketer I understand the importance of getting the best equipment for your game, we always work on a one to one with our customers to get the right size and weight, and it was a real privilege to work with Kieran to help him fulfil his

potential”. Robert continues “Due to Kieran’s disability he needed a bat that was lighter and easier to hold than a standard bat. Consequently we flattened the top of the bat so his able to tuck it under his arm. We also lengthened the handle, which meant that his shoulders would naturally come down as well as lightening the bat. We understand that Kieran’s new bat is helping him reach his full potential”. International players are using Robert’s made bats all over the world, which in itself is a true testimony to Robert’s skills. Visit the website to browse the range of bats, helmets, shoes, & pads amongst much more: robertpackcricket.co.uk.

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Get in! PICK A SPORT...

Discover more about all the summer and winter Paralympic sports. Try our ‘Find a Sport’ tool to see which sports might best suit you – there’s something for everyone.

FIND A CLUB...

Enter your postcode into the Deloitte Parasport ‘Find a Club’ tool to search our database of over 2,500 clubs and find out which are nearest to you.

GIVE IT A GO!

Sport is more than just keeping fit and healthy; it’s about having fun, making new friends and challenging yourself to try something new. So get out there, get involved and most importantly enjoy it!

www.parasport.org.uk info@parasport.org.uk +44 (0)20 7842 5789 twitter.com/Parasportuk Parasport is a free tool designed to inspire, inform and signpost disabled people and those interested in disability sport to high quality opportunities.

Deloitte Parasport

eloitte Parasport acts as the Yellow Pages of disability sport. Run by the British Paralympic Association (BPA) with support from Deloitte, the website is designed to inspire, educate, inform and sign-post disabled people, and those interested in disability sport, to high quality sporting opportunities. Visit the website and find out which sports best suit your abilities with our Find a Sport tool, then put your postcode into our Find a Club tool and locate disability sports clubs in your area, now with over 2,500 clubs listed.

For more information please get in touch: 020 7842 5789 info@parasport.org.uk www.parasport.org.uk Follow Us: @parasportuk

ParalympicsGB Sport Fest

f you’re a disabled person and want to try lots of different Paralympic sports and meet medal winning athletes then you should attend the BPA’s ‘ParalympicsGB Sports Fest’, taking place in various locations throughout 2014. Visit www.sportsfest.uk.com to find out where Sports Fest will be going next.

sessions and bring along medal winning athletes for you to meet, ask questions and be inspired by... they also add some London 2012 magic! And don’t worry if you’ve never played sport before, it’s not about finding talent or potential medal winners; it’s about giving people the opportunity to try lots of different Paralympic sports all under one roof and see which one is right for them. Register your attendance or find out more about the event by visiting www.sportsfest.uk.com.

Sports Fest was devised to encourage and develop the interest in participation of disability sport, following the London 2012 Paralympic Games. All 26 summer and winter Paralympic sports are invited to attend, where they host come and try

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Sports first aid to get you back in the game Physical Sports offers a full range of great quality sports first aid gear. From sticking plasters to stretchers, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got what you need to treat sports injuries - all supplied at competitive prices and with our usual friendly service. We stock a comprehensive range of the most popular sports first aid products, like elastic adhesive bandages, zinc oxide tapes, and hot and cold therapies, and the full range of over 200 products is visible on our website. We offer fast delivery and a secure checkout, so you can shop with confidence. To find out more, visit our website:

www.Physical-Sports.co.uk

Give us a call

01943 662155

DISABLEDMOTORCYCLERIDERS.COM

Disabled Motorcycle & Trike / Riders / Drivers: Aids And Adaptions elsewhere, we want to share our passion is for riding motorcycles & trikes and to help disabled motorcycle riders continue that enthusiasm, maybe for the first time or to help get you back on 2 or 3 wheels to regain your independence.

isabled Motorcycle Riders.com Handicapped Riders Aids and Adaptations is a website created for bikers & trike riders with a range of disabilities & handicaps, we manufacture some unique aids & adaptations some not available elsewhere, we

Disabled motorcycle riders designs and manufactures many of the products made available on this site they are not cheap relabelled want to share our passion imports manufactured in for riding motorcycles & the far east we have many trikes and to help disabled useful & unique adaptions motorcycle riders continue designed for injured, that enthusiasm, maybe for disabled & amputee, the first time or to help get you motorcyclists & trike riders, back on 2 or 3 wheels & regain even bike engined kit & your independence. race car drivers. We manufacture some unique aids & adaptations some of which are not available

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Whether you are a disabled rider or potential rider disabled because of an

accident, birth defect, illness, or other cause, the key to safe enjoyable motor cycle riding with disabilities is researching and locating quality products suitable for purpose, adaptations for your disability. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a one-size-suits-all solution for bikers with a disability, so if you would like to call or email us to discuss all possible product options that may or may not be of assistance to you, without the pressure of someone trying to talk you into some thing you do not need then;

Please get in touch: disabledmotorcycleriders.com

01206 322 557

PRIZE PACK COMPETITION

AloeVera Company UK:

loeVera Company UK is an Independent Distributor of Forever Living Products. On our website you will find a superb range of Aloe Verabased Health & Nutrition products that can help to optimise your general fitness levels and provide essential supplements to enhance sports and athletics performance. As well as offering protection our products may also help speed up injury repair and enhance recovery of strained or overworked joints & muscles. Visit our sports page here: www.aloevera.co.uk/ aloevera-sports-and-fitness. htm for more detailed product information. At the bottom of the page are links to four informative articles, including testimonials. HFL Sport Science: For amateur or professional

athletes who are subject to regular dope testing we have set aside a batch of our products that have been tested and certified by HFL Sport Science, an independent drug surveillance laboratory, who provide internationally trusted expertise in all aspects of doping control. www.aloevera.co.uk/ HFLAccreditation.pdf

THE PRIZE PACK

(retail value over £360) This prize pack contains our full range of natural Aloe Vera-based products that offer essential supplementary support to athletes and sports people. For your chance to win this prize offered by Aloevera Company UK, please send your Name, Postal Address, Telephone Number and email to >> info@momentummagazine.co.uk

Looking for Work?

Don’t let your disability hold you back, our employers won’t!

Evenbreak:

Finding that elusive dream job

inding work in this economic climate is difficult for anyone, and doubly hard if you are also disabled. Many employers aren’t enlightened enough to see the talents and skills behind the disability. But there is hope!

Evenbreak is a specialist online job board run by disabled people for disabled people. Only inclusive employers who are actively seeking to attract disabled candidates advertise their roles with us. Register and search for jobs today – you just might find that dream job!

www.evenbreak.co.uk

Evenbreak is a specialist online job board run by disabled people for disabled people. We only work with disabled candidates, and we only work with enlightened employers who understand the many advantages of employing disabled people. Employers like BBC, Network Rail, John Lewis, E.ON and many, many more. Our candidates have a range of disabilities – including hearing impairments,

learning disabilities, sight impairments, mental health issues, physical disabilities and many more, and they all have a fantastic range of skills, talents and experience that our employers would value. The first candidate to gain a job through Evenbreak three years ago said “I thought I would never work again and spend the rest of my life watching daytime TV, but Evenbreak proved me wrong, and I love my new job!” It costs nothing to register on Evenbreak, upload your CV and search for jobs – have a look and see what you think (we are very accessible)! We are at www.evenbreak.co.uk.

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Did you know? 1. Archery was the first sport where men and women competed on equal terms.

The hottest sport around... And absolutely everyone can have a go!

rchery is the ultimate familyfriendly activity. It is also one of the hottest sports around with membership of the sport’s governing body, Archery GB, rocketing and people clamouring to give it a go. But why? The Olympics and Paralympics showed the world how exciting archery is. That, plus the success of films and shows such as Oscar-winning BRAVE, The Hunger Games, Avengers Assemble, Arrow, Game of Thrones and The Hobbit, have turned it into the sport everyone wants to try. As public awareness has grown, two things have become clear: archery is exhilarating – and absolutely anyone can do it. It does not matter how old or fit you are, what shape you are or whether you are able bodied or disabled. Britain has some of the best Paralympic archers in the world – and some of the best coaches. So how do you get involved? There are more than 1,200 Archery GB clubs around the UK with over 43,000 members. And

>> Written by: Jane Percival

nearly all of them are heavily involved with their local communities, offering taster sessions or working with local sports centres, schools and colleges. You can find out more at www.archerygb.org. And there is a series of national events coming up to whet your appetites. The first is Archery Big Weekend, which is being held from 24-26 May all over the country and is being supported by Archery GB’s Performance Partner, Forester’s Building Society. Part of the 2012 Inspire a Generation legacy, it has already introduced thousands to the sport and all budding bowmen and aspiring archers are invited to turn up and give the sport a go. There is also Archery GB’s National Series, which aims to find Britain’s best archers. This year it is bigger than ever with stages 1 and 2 in Penicuik, Scotland, on 21 and 22 June, 3 and 4 at Clophill in Bedfordshire on 12 and 13 July and 5 and 6 at Exmouth on 16 and 17 August. It culminates in a two-day archery extravaganza at the stunning Wollaton Hall in Nottingham on 30 and 31 August. The archery promises to be thrilling but there will be plenty of other stuff to do as well. There will be a family activity area, entertainers, archery taster sessions and food and drink. It’s the perfect setting for a family outing – and it’s absolutely free to see the UK’s archers in action.

2. Arrows can travel at about 240km per hour. 3. Archery first became an Olympic sport in 1900. It was dropped from the Olympic programme after the 1920 Games and returned in 1972. 4. Olympic archers have 40 seconds to shoot at a target 70 metres away. 5. The oldest woman ever to win an Olympic gold was archer Sybil ‘Queenie’ Newall in the 1908 London Games. She was 53. 6. Recurve bows get their names from the curve of the limbs. 7. Historians believe people first started using bows around 25,000 years ago. 8. Britain’s oldest glazed war memorial is dedicated to archers. The Flodden Window in St Leonard’s Church, Middleton, near Rochdale, It was commissioned in 1513 after the Battle of Flodden Field and marked its 500th anniversary last year. 9. If an arrow hits the circle line between two scores on a target face, the higher score is awarded. 10. Next year marks the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT: www.archerygb.org www.facebook.com/ArcheryGB @archerygb

PERRIS ARCHERY:

What it takes to get to Rio in 2016

y name is Simon Powell; I am part of the ArcheryGB Para Performance Programme and training for Rio 2016. My training schedule can sometimes feel like a second full time job Alongside holding down a full time job I train 5 days a week for up to 8 hours a day shooting around 300 arrows. On top of this I have to make regular round trips of about 300 miles to ArcheryGB’s dedicated training facilities at Lilleshall’s National Sports Centre where high tech equipment is used to monitor and hone my technique. Finally, I also have to make time to I undertake regular Strength and Conditioning sessions.

My condition is no barrier to me achieving my goals I was diagnosed with Hypermobility Syndrome in 2010. Hypermobility syndrome is a condition that features joints that easily move beyond the normal range expected for a particular joint, along with a range of other symptoms such as fatigue and balance issues. This causes a great amount of pain, as well as regular injuries such as dislocations, sprains and muscle injuries. I began shooting in 2008 after attending a local club’s beginner’s programme and in that time I have had success at both local and national level. I am very proud of my achievements, and the hard work I have put in during practice has led to my ‘on field’ success.

Thank you Perris A lot of sportspeople say thank you to their sponsors and supporters and a lot of the time they appear scripted and disingenuous. Having just said that; I cannot speak highly enough about all the staff at Perris Archery for all the help that they have given me. Every step of my archery journey they have been there to guide me. From my first bow 5 years ago, all the way up to the amazing support I get from them now, every time I have walked into the shop I have been felt at home and that they take the up most interest in me and my needs.

A sport for all The beauty of archery is that anyone can take part with the knowledge that it can be rewarding regardless of the level you wish to participate at.

For more information contact us on

01245 400686

info@perrisarchery.co.uk or visit our website www.perrisarchery.co.uk

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Glasfryn Activity Parc

lasfryn Activity Park, Bowling Centre and Wake Park, located near Pwllheli, is North Wales’ Premier Activity Centre. Come and enjoy a fantastic family day out and the many activities on offer. Whether you decide to take the challenge of the go-karts, wakeboarding, archery or quad bikes or try your hand at ten pin bowling, Glasfryn Parc offers the ideal family day and evening out. Our Soft Play Centre is just bursting with fun and activities and great value homemade meals and snacks are available in the Cafe and Dining Room from 9am until late. Go karts are arrive and drive (there’s a separate circuit for younger children and tandem karts for accompanied rides),

34 34

(except Xmas Day)

but please pre-book for quad bikes and wakeboarding. Reservations advised for ten pin bowling and archery. Glasfryn Parc has an awardwinning Farm Shop and there are five self-catering farmhouse cottages available to rent. There’s plenty of free parking and easy access and full facilities for those with disabilities. Glasfryn Parc is set in the spectacular scenery of the foothills of Snowdonia and is open every day (apart from Christmas Day). For more information and details of special offers and events call 01766 810 000 or visit www.glasfryn.co.uk or follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/glasfryn.parc

Go Karts

Cable Wakeboarding

Arrive & Drive

Three Cables - Pre-booking advisable

Kayaks

Stand-Up Paddleboard

Quads Bikes

Group Events Ten Pin Bowling Pre-booking advisable

Archery

Soft Play Centre

Farm Shop

Café * Diner

info@glasfryn.co.uk www.glasfryn.co.uk facebook.com/glasfryn.parc

Discover Archery Ltd This innovative inflatable hoverball target set opens up opportunities for anybody to try archery virtually anywhere using the special non-lethal foam tipped arrows.

For more information Contact Joshua Edwards-Lloyd: Tel: 0800 002 5054 / 07967 763985 Email: info@discoverarchery.co.uk Web: www.discoverarchery.co.uk

DISCOVER ARCHERY

The most fun you’ll ever have with a bow and arrow!

iscover Archery Ltd is a well established company catering to various County Councils, prestigious independent schools, businesses, youth groups, church groups and holiday camp providers in the South East, London and further afield. Based in Guildford, Surrey, we provide a mobile service which offers high quality instruction for a wide variety of experiences. Discover SAFE Archery This innovative inflatable hoverball target set opens up opportunities for anybody to try archery virtually anywhere using the special non-lethal foam tipped arrows.

Discover Archery Tag Archery Tag® is a phenomenal new concept in friendly combat sports that can be played indoors or out and utilizes archery with special foam tipped arrows to play the game. Archery Tag is intense enough for thrill seekers and safe enough for kids to play; making this game the most fun you’ll ever have with a bow and arrow! We are available for Birthday & Stag/Hen Parties, Team Building & Corporate Events, Schools, Sports Days & Holiday Camps, Church & Youth Groups, Fund Raisers, Fêtes & Festivals. Or, for any event you could possibly think of.

Find out more at: We are also able to retail the www.discoverarchery.co.uk SAFE Archery set.

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35 35

Friendship, fresh air and exercise, golf has it all

here’s no better sport for bringing people together and, with its winning combination of exercise, sporting skill and social interaction, golf is the perfect tonic for good health and happiness. Golf is a great game whatever your age, background or ability. “Golf is about as adaptable a sport as you can get,” said Bob Buck, Executive Director of the Eastern Amputee Golf Association. “Just about anyone, regardless of ability level, can grab a set of golf clubs, head outside, and in no time be hitting golf balls where no one will ever find them again.” It’s also an inclusive game, as highlighted by two new golf club captains. Peter Baker, who was born deaf, has taken office at Ellesmere Port Golf Club in Cheshire, while blind golf champion John Eakin is the captain of Royal Ashdown Forest in Sussex. “It’s nice to show that being visually impaired doesn’t stop you being a full member of a golf club,” said John. His club secretary, David Holmes, added: “We read lots of stories about the negative side of golf so it’s good to show how clubs can promote inclusivity and that a disability doesn’t stop you from achieving your goals.” Peter Baker has been a sportsman all his life and he advises other deaf golfers to get involved: “Get on the club committee

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and help out and show the hearing world that we are as equal as them.” Jamie Blair, the England Golf Disability Officer, echoes his words: “It is fantastic to see deaf and disabled people fulfilling a wide range of roles within clubs and their importance to the success of the sport is recognised, not just in their play on the course but in their skills off it.” Playing golf also brings some impressive health and wellbeing benefits that can help you look and feel at your best. “Golf really does tick all the boxes for things you need for optimal wellbeing,” says psychologist and coach Miriam Akhtar from www. positivepsychologytraining.co.uk . “It offers some important feel-good factors, such as an active social life and regular physical activity of the best kind – what we call ‘green exercise’ outside in nature.” The combination of fresh air, green space and social interaction can keep you calm and boost wellbeing. As well as easing existing anxiety a study from the University of Maryland found it may also help you deal better with any future stress you encounter. And, with plenty of time for conversation, golf is the perfect way to make new friends, especially if you have recently moved into a new area or have had a life style change. Wherever there’s a

golf course, a host of rewarding new friendships awaits you. Friendships that are likely to flourish, thanks to the convivial atmosphere of the game itself and the ready-made social life at the clubhouse. It’s never been easier to get started. The Get into golf programme is run by the England Golf Partnership through its network of County Golf Partnerships and offers low cost taster sessions and beginner courses across the country throughout the year. You’ll receive a basic introduction to golf from PGA professionals, together with information about club membership and follow-on coaching opportunities. Equipment will be provided so all you have to do is turn up on the day in comfortable clothing. To find an activity near you go to getintintogolf.org/map or call 0800 118 2766 to find out more. Get into golf is a national campaign to inspire adults to take up golf. It is part of the plan to make England the world’s leading golf nation by 2020, which is supported by Sport England National Lottery funding.

Like getintogolf @getintogolf

ELATUS SPORTS:

“FROM COMMUNITY HUB TO COMMUNITY CLUB”

latus Sports C.I.C. provide inclusive sporting and social opportunities for disabled and vulnerable people. We take pride in our excellent coaching programmes and style of delivery that introduces people to sports that they have not previously had the opportunity to play.

to participants in their familiar environments, we eliminate the need for transport and reduce cost.

Our coaches develop the skills and confidence of every participant and support each individual involved from their first interaction in a community hub, school or day care centre to full engagement in a mainstream, inclusive Since our startup, we have introduced people with a wide community sports club. range of learning and physical disabilities to sport, enabling We are currently looking them to play amongst others to expand the number of without worry, through use of sports we offer and where we offer them. If you would our visibly engaging and eye like us to provide sporting catching equipment. opportunities for you, or deliver coaching on your We pride ourselves in behalf, contact Matt Abbott breaking down the barriers that prevent disabled people via matt@elatussports.co.uk from playing sport; by taking or 07846 510139 for more the coaches and equipment information.

Contact Director Matt Abbott if you would like us to:

• • •

Provide sports for your clients, residents or local community; or, Provide sports on your behalf. N.B. If your sport isn’t currently on our list, please contact us as we’re currently in the process of expanding.

Tel: 07846 510139 Email: matt@elatussports.co.uk Web: www.elatussports.co.uk www.facebook.com/elatussports @elatussports

HANDIGOLF:

andigolfers (now called Wheelchair Golfers in Europe) play on full-size golf courses seated on special electric buggies that go onto Greens and into bunkers. The first experiments in England took place using modified “shopping” scooters to prove the feasibility in 1988. Unknown to the players at the time Dennis Walters, an American ex-professional golfer who had put himself into wheelchair by turning over a large 2-seater golf cart, was using the same sort of massive buggy to do an excellent trick shot show. However he did not play in competitions and so the early UK players were the the first wheelchair golfers to compete for a National Championship in 1990.

largest group of competitors (35%) with considerable support from The R & A and The Handigolf Foundation.

Other disabled golfers are invited to Handigolf events and compete for separate prizes. The long term aim of all disabled golfers is to see Disabled Golf introduced into the Paralympics following the introduction of professional golf into The Olympics in Rio 2016. The bid for the Rio Paralympics was prepared by The International Golf Federation but appears to have been criticised because it concentrated too much on disability classification rather than golf’s unique Handicap System that allows different abilities to compete on equal terms. A separate aim is to develop “Team Since then The Golf” to follow concepts Handigolf Foundation of Wheelchair Basketball. (Reg charity1001130) has been Here team members are loaning the special buggies given a points rating that (worth £2000 each) to players assesses their relative for an annual charge of £100 disability levels. Basketball per annum to cover annual teams must have a minimum maintenance. The concept number of such points has spread to Europe where a on court at any one time. more complex buggy has been This ensures that severely developed at a cost of £9000. disabled competitors are Apart from the four major not overlooked in favour annual events in England, of players with minimal Handigolfers have competed disabilities. This problem has in France, Sweden, Holland, occured in certain European Germany and Italy. Ten years countries where coaches ago a party of four English have concentrated on slightly Handigolfers demonstated the disabled players. However sport in Australia.  golf teams consisting of wheelchair golfers, blind In April 2014 the inaugural golfers and amputee golfers Eureopean Wheelchair Golf would make for some Championships took place fascinating future events.    in Barcelona and Handigolf Foundation member Mark >> www.handigolf.net Gibson from Belfast won Pictured:  Three leading both the gross and nett Handigolfers, a one-arm golfer and competitions. Great Britain an able-bodied golfer at the UK and Irish players made up the Handigolf Nationals.

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Highly Versatile & Customisable to your individual requirements Our buggies are used and adapted for use at outdoor events; Such as equestrian events, county shows, agricultural shows and by anglers, ramblers and farmers. They are so highly versatile. This is all due to the stability, power and range for off road purposes. They are customised to individual requirements, with many uses apart from Golf. Also capable for terrain on which a mobility scooter may not be suitable. We also support event mobility at various shows ranging from flower shows at Chelsea to golf events at Wentworth. We manufacture all of our buggies in Surrey, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a family business with over 28 years experience in buggies and more than 50 years in engineering.

For more information please get in touch:

01932 570016

www.patterson.co.uk

Sport for Disabled People Who we are Sport England is committed to helping people and communities across the country create a sporting habit for life. We are working to increase the number of people who play sport regularly and we aim to make lives better through sport.

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. We are particularly focused on getting more 14-25-year-olds and disabled people playing sport once a week.

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 non-disabled people. Our work will seek to change this and help disabled people to view taking part in sport as a practical lifestyle choice.

Who we work with Sport England announced a ÂŁ2million investment in 2013 into the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) to help accelerate their strategy to increase sports participation over the next two years, until 2015. EFDS is the national body for disabled people in sport and physical activity throughout England. The charity aims to increase opportunities to play sport at all levels. Sport England has also been working closely with all governing bodies of 46 sports to offer support and advice around including disabled people and a large proportion of our ÂŁ493m investment into governing bodies over the next three years will include provision for disabled people. Sport England has also directly given a share of ÂŁ1.3 million of National Lottery funding to seven national disability sports organisations to advise, support

and guide other sports governing bodies as they create opportunities for disabled people to play sport.

So you want to take part in sport? Through our work with the British Paralympic Association (BPA) we are pleased to be able to support Parasport. Parasport has been designed to inspire, educate, inform and signpost disabled people, and those interested in disability sport, to high quality opportunities. Parasport aims to make it easier for members of the public to take up disability sport by providing information about local sporting opportunities. Parasport is for everyone, regardless of whether you want to take up a sport to get active or you have ambitions to represent Great Britain... Whatever your aim, Parasport can help you find a local club so that you can get involved www.parasport.org.uk

>> www.momentummagazine.co.uk

So you’re a club in need of funding?

to disabled people across Northamptonshire using rowing machines and on the water training.

Since 2012, Sport England have invested £18.2m into 88 different disability sport projects, all over England and across all impairment groups under the Inclusive Sport programme. Inclusive Sport is designed to increase the number of disabled young people (aged 14+) and adults regularly playing sport as part of Sport England’s wider commitment to increasing disability participation. In February 2014, we were delighted to announce a further £1 million of National Lottery funding for the Get Equipped programme, a new disability equipment fund, which has provided 146 different projects with specialist equipment to deliver disability sport. More information on these and the other funding opportunities with Sport England are available on the website: www.sportengland.org/ inclusivesport www.sportengland.org/ funding/our-differentfunds/get-equipped

With 88 projects sharing in £18.2 million of Inclusive Sport funding, Inclusive Sport funding is already making a difference in the lives of disabled people including 30-year-old Julie, who has cerebral palsy. She discovered rowing thanks to Oundle Town Rowing Club’s outreach programme that introduces the sport

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Steve Rustage, Oundle Town Rowing Club Development Officer, said: “Over the past few years we have been limited to working with just a few disabled young people. With the funding we received from Sport England, we’ve been able to go out into day centres, colleges and schools to help disabled people like Julie get involved in sport. By the end of the year we hope to have introduced over 800 disabled people from across Northamptonshire to rowing, both indoor and outdoor.”

“

A personal story

With little movement in her arms and legs prior to starting, the indoor rowing sessions have helped Julie increase her mobility and, after nine sessions, she is rowing on the machines without support and has progressed to taking part in water sessions.

By the end of the year we hope to have introduced over 800 disabled people from across Northamptonshire to rowing, both indoor and outdoor. Steve Rustage, Oundle Town Rowing Club

dmin@ ch.uk

Valence School is a foundation special school for children and young people aged from 4 to 19 who have physical disabilities and complex medical needs. We are based in Westerham Kent. A Sports College since 2008, we provide a minimum 3 hours PE a week for 100% of our students plus additional opportunities in Paralympic, disability and inclusive activities at intra and inter-school, Regional, County and National League Level. In December 2013 Ofsted commented “The school uses its specialist status highly effectively to ensure all students receive specialist teaching in PE”. They went on to say “Students have extensive opportunities to participate in a wider range of sporting and competitive events which promote their development” Valence is one of 50 schools selected to lead the delivery of elements of Project Ability helping to drive the aims of the School Games. “Project Ability will encourage schools to develop meaningful high profile sport competitions for young disabled people. This will provide an excellent platform for schools to launch a full programme of targeted competitions to build on the legacy of the 2012 Paralympics.”

www.valenceschool.com Sport Enquiries to Jo Eames- Director of Sport

sportscollegeadmin@valence.kent.sch.uk

General Enquiries to: ebrown@valence.kent.sch.uk

GET SET TO MAKE A CHANGE

et Set to Make a Change is a London 2012 legacy project of the British Olympic Association and the British Paralympic Association. The programme is inspiring hundreds of young people aged 14-19 across Britain to pledge to develop and lead on community projects by using the magic of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. There is still time for young people to get involved in planning these projects in their local communities by registering on the Get Set to Make a Change website at www.makeachange.org.uk.

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Funded by the Big Lottery Fund, through their ‘keeping the spirit of 2012 alive’ campaign, Get Set to Make a Change is a legacy strand of the hugely successful London 2012 education programme ‘Get Set’. The projects taken on by the young people involved could be anything from running sponsored events, to neighbourhood improvement projects that make areas for disabled residents more accessible, or even arranging sporting events for elderly people in care homes. The Get Set to Make a Change programme ensures there is lots of help and support available for the teams involved across the country, including a range of resources for planning, plus tips, videos and an interactive map giving examples of how other teams are working together to improve their communities. All of these resources are designed to make sure the Legacy Leaders stay motivated and inspired.

>> THE TEAMS Each team consists of 6 Legacy Leaders and a Student Mentor.

>> LEGACY LEADERS The Legacy Leaders are the main focus of the programme, and their aim is to make one or more pledges to run a project that could improve the area they live in and bring members of the community together. The purpose of this is for them to contribute to making their areas healthier, more active places to live.

>> CASE STUDY: REDWOOD SCHOOL >> STUDENT MENTORS Each team has a Student Mentor, who is there to offer any help, support or advice the Legacy Leaders may need to get their project running, or to improve the work they are doing. The mentors are able to put the students in touch with the right contacts and connections that can help them with their projects and ensure the teams have everything they need.

Each group also has a Team Coordinator, and a Regional Coordinator is assigned to each geographical region across the UK.

edwood are a special needs school in Rochdale, committed to providing inclusive multi sports events within their school and wider community.

>> WHY GET INVOLVED ? While the purpose of these projects is for the young people to make a change and improve the communities they live in through sports and promoting healthy, balanced lifestyles, the programme ensures there are amazing rewards available to help inspire and motivate the teams. Prizes already awarded have included visits from Olympic and Paralympic athletes for schools.

Two sets of Get Set to Make a Change Legacy Leader teams have pledged and run projects from Redwood; the Failsworth Team and the Redwood Team.

>> REWARDS Rewards are earned through the students completing a pledge, and reporting their progress through the Get Set to Make a Change website. Every team that reports back on a completed pledge is automatically entered into a prize draw and selected at random for rewards such as athlete visits and experience days. Three schools from across the UK were rewarded with a very special white water rafting experience day with London 2012 Olympic Gold Medallists Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott. These schools including Slated Row, a Special School in Milton Keynes who ran a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mixed All Sportsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; event for under 11s in Wolverton and Stony Stratford. This once-in-alifetime experience day was held at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham.

Collectively, these two teams have planned and assisted a number of activities as part of their Get Set to Make a Change pledges. These have included an event based on the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, where over 200 children took part in new age curling, snowball skittles and many other activities run by the young leaders. The event was designed to increase participation in sport for children aged 11-19 with special education needs.

TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE ?

If you want to become a Legacy Leader and be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prizes for the work you do, visit www.makeachange.org.uk

Get Set to Make A Change delivery partners:

PACE Advert A4 bike_Layout 1 30/04/2010 10:46 Page 1

ALAN MARCH SPORT LTD:

lan March Sport Ltd started life as just 1 person, Alan March. He started his journey in 2006, entering a commentary competition, to commentate for the visually impaired. After winning this nationwide competition, Alan went on to volunteer as a commentator at a number of football stadiums, including his beloved Nottingham Forest home, the City Ground. In 2007 Alan was asked to be the Audio Description commentator for Wembley Stadium, something he and now the company has gone on to do to this day. Incorporating Champions League and FA Cup Finals. The AD commentary supplied to the stadium covers Football, NFL, Rugby, Boxing and even Motor Racing. AD commentary holds a big place in the heart of the company and they use AD techniques in its training methods, when teaching. The company runs commentary courses up and down the county in an attempt to teach and unearth hidden talent. In 2014 British

“

As a company, it’s a great pleasure to work with any organization and we pride ourselves on our pricing structures and ability to work alongside companies to provide our services well within their budgets.

”

Wheelchair Basketball asked us to hold a course to find commentators and announcers for them to use at their events. “As a company, it’s a great pleasure to work with any organization and we pride ourselves on our pricing structures and ability to work alongside companies to provide our services well within their budgets”. Goalball was a sport that we’d never looked at until we took a call from GoalBall Uk. They were being tasked with holding the European Mens C Championships, in Worcester and needed some help. We sent along a team to provide the venue with music and announcements. This was accompanied with an in ear commentary, with all of the equipment for this service being supplied by us. The in ear commentary was AD and provided those with visual impairments within the crowd with up to the moment updates. Our biggest task of the 4 day event was to stream the event live over the internet, with commentary, but here at Alan March Sport we don’t know what “Can’t do” means and our live stream was accessed around the world, with great feedback. Here’s a somewhat minority sport, being watched by people as far a field as Portugal and Russia. Sad thing was, Great Britain got beat in the Semi’s and the 3rd place play-off game too. Oh well, can’t have everything! In the next issue we’ll touch on the work we do for British Swimming and how we met Richard Whitehead MBE.

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Rehabilitation Services Prosthetics I Orthotics Physiotherapy I Counselling Occupational Therapy Immediate Needs Assessments Expert Witness Services Quantum Reports

www.pacerehab.com

CONVERTING PATIENTS INTO PEOPLE

Above the knee amputee returns to mountain biking

Back to life – in the saddle National Referral Centre Tel: 0845 450 7357 Email: info@pacerehab.com

PACE Rehabilitation 36 Brook Street, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 2BX

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Call: 07834523729 or Click Alanmarchsport.com

Our Services Include: • Sports Presentation

• Sports Commentators

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HYDRATE FOR HEALTH:

Simply brilliant idea helping to save lives

n a world of high-tech and digital innovation the winner of this new category has a deceptively simple product. But all great ideas are the simplest ones and Hydrate for Health is no exception to this rule.

hands-free, drinking system designed to prevent dehydration in patients.

This year the company, which makes a drink holder for vulnerable people, landed a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Mark quit his management job with Ford to launch the venture.

Hydrate For Health was founded by Mark Moran who came up with the Hydrant. Devised by Mark while in hospital recovering from a back operation, The Hydrant is a simple,

The device clips, hangs or hooks on beds, chairs or wheelchairs, removing the problem of reaching, lifting, or holding drinks.

He explained: “Dehydration is recognised as the cause of two deaths per day in the NHS. “This issue regularly grabs nationwide headlines and, until now, there has been no simple solution. “The Hydrant is now used by many thousands

of people in hospitals, care homes and at home and is delivering visible improvement in the quality of life for the users.

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“At the same time it is saving millions of pounds for the NHS by preventing one of the biggest problems in healthcare, thus preventing admission to hospital or shortening the length of stay for patients. “It is the perfect example of the ‘low-cost/high impact’ innovation that is behind the NHS drive to rapidly adopt proven products and services throughout the healthcare system via the Innovation Health and Wealth programme.”

The device clips, hangs or hooks on beds, chairs or wheelchairs, removing the problem of reaching, lifting, or holding drinks.

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The Hydrant Preventing dehydration in Healthcare

FREE HYDRANT DRAW Winners of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Innovation To celebrate we are giving a free Hydrant to the first 100 readers to contact us. To enter the draw simply email: readers@hydrateforhealth.co.uk The Hydrant is designed to help people with limited mobility drink whenever they want to without assistance. It gives independence and dignity and is making a huge difference for many people in the community, care homes and hospitals.

Solving the problem of reaching, lifting, or holding drinks Hang it, hook it, or clip it... almost anywhere

info@hydrateforhealth.co.uk

0800 292 2382

www.hydrateforhealth.co.uk

www.momentummagazine.co.uk

The Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists: Sport as a therapy choice

aediatric physiotherapists have long recognized that children with long term conditions that cause physical disability often become ‘therapied out’ as they reach their teens. Some disconnect with their therapy programme completely resulting in a reduction in their physical abilities, whilst others blame pressure of school work for reducing the amount of therapy they do. For this reason physiotherapists have encouraged young people with long term physical conditions to participate in sport as an adjunct to their personalized physical management programme. Sport is seen as not just a valuable tool for exercising, but also an opportunity for them to socialize with friends, improve their confidence and help them feel part of a team. It is also recognized that if we can encourage young people to take an active role in sport as early as possible, then their participation is more likely to continue into adulthood. However paediatric physiotherapists and young people have often been faced with a myriad of barriers. In schools, children

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For some of families having a lot of healthcare professionals involved in their child’s life can remind them that their child has a disability and they can feel that they have no control/say over what their child can do. Promoting sport and physical activity can be very empowering for the child.

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with disabilities are often not included in PE lessons; they either sit on the sidelines, go to the library or are taken elsewhere to run through their physiotherapy programme with a learning support assistant. In community sport, coaches are often not trained to adapt the environment to enable the young person to participate, worry about the health and safety implications, or appropriate sporting opportunities are not available in their area. One young person told me that he doesn’t like going to the park with his friends as they play football and he is always last to be picked for a team and no one will ever pass him the ball. To ascertain the level of use of sport as a therapy choice and identify the barriers, the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP) worked with the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), CP Sport and Wheelpower to create a questionnaire which was circulated to over 2000 paediatric physiotherapists across the UK, the results of which were released by EFDS in a report on 28.03.2014. Among the findings, the report showed almost all paediatric physiotherapists (99 per cent) surveyed currently use sport and physical activity as a therapy choice- for at least some, if not all young disabled people. 3 in 4 (75 per cent) paediatric physiotherapists said that during their assessment of young disabled people, they take into account their current level of involvement in sport or physical activity. Paediatric physiotherapists feel that sport and physical activity complement standard treatment and offer potential lifelong benefits that individuals can manage themselves. Around 1 in 3 paediatric physiotherapists felt that the health and fitness benefits, impact on confidence and self-esteem, and fun and enjoyment of taking part were all important reasons to encourage participation. Almost half (45 percent) of the paediatric physiotherapists felt the social integration and associated social skills sport and physical activity can help develop were most important. Sport also was seen as normalizing the child’s activities. One physiotherapist who responded to the questionnaire stated that `For some families having a lot of healthcare professionals involved in their child’s life can remind them that their child has a disability and they can

feel that they have no control/say over what their child can do. Promoting sport and physical activity can be very empowering for the child` Despite these positive views on sport and physical activity, findings show there are numerous barriers, which prevent paediatric physiotherapists from using them as part of their work. Less than 2 in 10 (18 per cent) of those surveyed have received any training in how to incorporate sport and physical activity into treatment plans. Paediatric physiotherapists reported they are frustrated that their knowledge and awareness of suitable and relevant opportunities for people with different impairments restrict them, in addition to being unaware of local provision that they can refer young disabled people to. The APCP recently published a list of local disability sport contacts in their newsletter to address this issue. However the main barrier that paediatric physiotherapists believe prevent young disabled people from taking part is the lack of suitable options available to the young disabled people. This is strongly linked to the location of the activities, with many people having to travel long distances in order to take part in sport. Some parents are well motivated and will travel; others are less committed for a variety of reasons. Paediatric physiotherapists clearly see a value in using sport and physical activity as a therapy option. It can be used to compliment official treatment to help achieve their treatment goals. It passes some of the responsibility of therapy from the physiotherapist on to the individual and provides a life long treatment option, which is particularly important for those people who may not be eligible for statutory medical support post childhood. The APCP will continue to work with EFDS, Wheelpower and CP Sport to ensure that all young people who want to participate in sport are enabled to do so. For more information please visit: apcp.csp.org.uk

SPORT WORKS

Business Opportunities in Disability Sport

port Works is an award winning Sports Coaching and Education Company based in Newcastle upon Tyne. We are looking to continue our national expansion by partnering with ambitious, talented people with a passion for disability sport and education.

and social outcomes – particularly focused on supporting disabled and disengaged individuals.

Sport Works programmes are targeted at individuals who can really benefit from sport – from autistic children gaining confidence and developing social skills to teenagers “at risk” of school exclusion gaining a range of nationally recognized qualifications – our programmes make a huge impact in the community.

In order to maintain the quality of delivery which has helped us become one of the fastest growing organisations in the sector, Sport Works is expanding using a franchise model whereby franchise owners manage several Local Authority regions to be the local face of our brand.

Launched in 2009, our innovative approach focuses on using sport as a means of improving health, education

Unlike many organisations in the sports coaching sector, Sport Works operates several programmes, each designed for niche groups of children and adults.

Our work is highly varied and really makes a difference to society. When you work within such a positive and engaging environment your experience as a business owner has rewards that are not measured purely in financial terms. Your job satisfaction comes free!  Franchisees employ local sports coaches and educational tutors with typical contract values ranging from £20,000-£100,000 per annum. Our best performing franchisee is on target to turnover six figures this year, with realistic projections of upto £250,000 within the first three years of trading.

If you have a passion for making a difference, are business minded and have good interpersonal skills, we can teach you everything else you need to know to join our team! When you work within such a positive and engaging environment your experience as a business owner has rewards that are not measured purely in financial terms. Your job satisfaction comes free!

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Anne Williams 0191 5800 120

franchise@sportworksltd.co.uk www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Dwarf Sport Association UK

n 1993 Arthur Dean a person with restricted growth took his daughter Nichola who also has restricted growth to Chicago to take part in the 1st World Dwarf Games hosted by the DAAA (Dwarf Athletic Association of America). Arthur and his daughter went to Chicago with four other Dwarf Athletes and members of their families and between them they returned with 26 medals. What they saw and felt whilst in the USA was something they had not experienced before. They saw for the first time that people of restricted growth were competing in sport on an equal level. In doing so their self-esteem was lifted and the people taking part gained a great sense of achievement. Arthur and the other families decided to bring this to the UK and in October 1993 the Dwarf Athletic Association UK was formed. It was registered as a Charity in the name of the Dwarf Athletics Association the following year. In 2007 DAAuk changed its name to DSAuk ‘ Dwarf Sports Association

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We use sport as a tool to break down the barriers of difference within society and to encourage confidence and empower our members.

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to encompass all sports including lifestyle and leisure activities. We work with health professionals and schools to ensure the correct information is passed on to families, regarding a child with dwarfism. From these humble beginnings the Association has grown from strength to strength holding a National Games each year. Every year the National Open Games grows in numbers and every year records are broken and personal bests attained. The National Games are now IPC sanctioned, meaning athletes are competing for world ranking positions and qualifying for European and World events. The DSAuk National Games is a three day event with athletics, swimming, football, powerlifting, basketball, hockey, table tennis, cycling, new age curling and Rifle shooting. In 2014, the DSAuk held the 21st National Games in the Birmingham area with a record number of competitors. 186 athletes from the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Canada, Sri Lanka and Denmark participated in the Games. Due to the increase in numbers of participants, some of the more popular events have been given their own National Event Status at different times of the yearly calendar. These events being Badminton, Boccia and Sailing/Canoeing. Along with running National events, the DSAuk now has eight regions covering the whole of the UK, offering different events each month for members in their area. We feel that it is important that all young people with dwarfism can feel that they can meet up regularly with other friends who have the same condition, rather than wait for the national events which are less frequent.

The DSAuk had four of its members compete in the 2012 Paralympics in London. The 2012 Paralympics saw the largest number of dwarf athletes ever competing at a paralympic games, again showing the world that we are both serious and capable athletes. The Association has two new Patrons’ who are the Paralympic swimmers Ellie Simmonds O.B.E and Matt Whorwood, who both started their swimming careers with the DSAUK. The DSAuk promotes grass roots participation starting young athletes from the age of two. We use sport as a tool to break down the barriers of difference within society and to encourage confidence and empower our members. It is so important that our members feel valued and that they can do anything in life. We empower people to go on to enjoy all kinds of sport, in which they can compete equally and should they wish to go further we guide them on to the correct pathway to world class performance within the National Governing Bodies of Sport as with our most successful paralympians, Ellie Simmonds and Matt Whorwood have done. But it’s not about being the best, it’s about feeling good with who you are and knowing that you can achieve anything you want to do in life as well as in sport.

For more information please visit: www.dsauk.org facebook.com/DSAUK @dwarfsportDSAuk

Run England programme and at supporting people from the deaf community to become coaches. Networks are beginning to run a variety of sports activities and each aims to run DEAFinitely Inclusive Sports days through the summer.

Sport National Governing Bodies National Governing Bodies (NGB`s) are the guardians of each individual sport. UK Deaf Sport are working with 15 NGB`s to create the Deaf Sport Family. The sports are Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Cycling, Football, Golf, Netball, Rugby, Rowing Squash, Swimming, Sailing, Shooting and Tennis. All these sports are committed to providing more opportunities for deaf children and adults to play coach and volunteer in sport.

Deaf Specific Sport Development

UK Deaf Sport:

he biggest challenge deaf people face when trying to access sport and physical activity opportunities are the ability to communicate with sports activity organisers and the organisers ability to communicate with them. Significant amounts of funding have been made available for grass roots disability sport via the Inclusive Sports Fund. Deaf Sport has benefitted from the overall direction of Sport England to increase the number of disabled (and deaf) people participating in sport. The Deaf community must embrace this opportunity and play more sport, if they do there is every chance that we will be able to make the case for more funding for deaf sport and continue to improve the opportunities and the quality of the experience for deaf people. As the strategic lead for Deaf Sport in the UK the organisation has been working hard to develop opportunities for people who are deaf and hard of hearing to play sports. UK Deaf Sport want to get people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing: • Playing more sport • Becoming coaches in sport • Volunteering in sport To do this we have focussed on working with Community organisations, Sports organisations and clubs as well as Health organisations in specific regions.

DEAFinitely Inclusive Sport Networks UK Deaf Sport is developing regional DEAFinitely Inclusive Sport Networks. The aim of these networks is to bring together local partners to promote and improve the opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing people to play sport and develop a healthy lifestyle. All organisations that are involved are committed to being trained to be deaf aware and provide welcoming, fun and supportive environment.

There is a network of over 40 Deaf Sports Organisations. It is the role of UKDS to support these sports to develop their governance and infrastructure to increase numbers participating in deaf sport and to develop those with talent.

Coach Development UKDS supports sports coaches to improve their ability to communicate with the deaf community. We work with partners to provide Deaf Awareness and British Sign Language training and have developed a specific “Effective Communication – Coaching Deaf People in Sport” Workshop with Sports Coach UK. Courses are being run across England, with 15 already been delivered in 2014.

Networks are being developed in the:

We also want to significantly increase the number of Deaf coaches in sport. We really do need to identify deaf people who would like to become coaches.

North West Yorkshire West Midlands London

To get involved and become part of the Deaf Sport Family just e mail: participation@ukds.org.uk so you can be contacted.

Network Example: Birmingham Institute for the Deaf (BID) BID have employed an Inclusive Sports Officer, her role is to develop activities within Birmingham. So far BID have developed Men’s and Women’s Deaf Football and have just launched a Deaf Badminton Club that has over 40 people attending every Thursday evening. BID are now looking at developing a Deaf

Key Contacts UK Deaf Sport National rParticipation Offcerr

participation@UKDS.org.UK

rUK Deaf Sport National Talent Offcerr

Talent@UKDS.org.uk

www.ukdeafsport.org.uk facebook.com/ukdeafsport @deafsport

www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Henshaws College supports students to access sports facilities

enshaws College, Harrogate, has invested in new specialist equipment to support students to participate in sports activities with their peers. Using a gantry hoist, students with complex physical difficulties are assisted to stand and walk to access health and fitness facilities, improving participation and social inclusion. Physiotherapist Lee Dart explains: “Gaining the ability to walk is a dream for many of our students. The gantry hoist opens the door to a whole group of students who would otherwise have little to no means of safe walking. Students can now access the treadmills, parallel

College Bogs Lane, Harrogate, HG1 4ED

bars and trampoline in their physiotherapy sessions and it gives us a safe way to help them practice walking across the floor too.” Chelsea, an essential wheelchair user in her final year at Henshaws College, has enjoyed using the new hoists in her sports sessions over the last few weeks. “Getting me walking again is just my dream. You can’t imagine how it feels to be on my feet. It’s quite emotional for me - the sensation is absolutely amazing.”

Learning and Support Personalised learning programmes for young people with learning difficulties, sensory impairments and physical disabilities. • Curriculum focused on skills for Life, Learning and Work • Nationally recognised excellence in IT and Assistive Technology • Education, Care and Therapies working together to support learners • Expertise in Visual Impairment • First class Residential, Sports and Media facilities • Day and residential placements available

Find out more about learning programmes for young people with disabilities at Henshaws College.

For more information: Call 01423 886451 or email

admissions@henshaws.ac.uk

www.henshaws.ac.uk Registered Charity No: 221888

www.henshaws.ac.uk

Relaxing or active holidays and short breaks. Beautiful coastal or countryside locations. Vision Hotels provide accommodation in three superb country or coastal settings: Cliffden Hotel in Teignmouth, Lauriston Hotel in Weston-super-Mare and Windermere Manor in the Lake District. We aim to make our hotels accessible to everyone – particularly guests who are vision impaired. Thanks to Big Lottery funding, we offer free and subsidised activities for guests who are blind or partially sighted, including: walking, tandem cycling and sailing, or theatre and shopping trips, depending on where you choose to stay. Alternatively, just relax in our hotel gardens or swim in the indoor pool – the choice is yours. Let us create your perfect holiday. Call us now on 0845 603 0051. Visit our website at: visionhotels.co.uk

Book by 30 June 2014 to get a 10% discount on your stay. Quote reference: MOM14

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British Blind Sport prides itself on making a visible difference through sport as we know that taking the first step into participating in sport can change lives for the better. Alaina MacGregor Chief Executive Offcerr, British Blind Sport

BRITISH BLIND SPORT:

here are 2 million people affected by sight loss in the UK. Only 11% of blind and partially sighted people participate in sport, and we are fighting to improve this. At British Blind Sport, we are solving this challenge by providing sporting opportunities in sports such as tenpin bowling and cricket, working with governing bodies to ensure their sports are accessible and offering educational resources to assist teachers and sports coaches who support visually impaired people.

know that by introducing sport into people’s lives, they will meet new friends, have greater confidence and reduce their stress levels.

Recent events & upcoming events 2014 has already been a great year for the charity and the wider visually impaired sports movement.

We have recently hosted our annual Youth Swimming Gala and Youth We were established in 1975 as a charity 5-a-side Football Tournament, with the by blind and partially sighted people who young participants having a great time struggled to find sporting opportunities. competing against their peers and having Over the years, the charity has developed fun with their friends. Statistics are and evolved, but we still rely on the important as we improve opportunities, generosity of people who fundraise for but it is days like these where we witness us. From marathons to calendars, the the happy faces of young people that funds they raise help us do the work we makes what we do, so special. love to do.

The importance of participating in sport It will not be a surprise to know that participating in sport brings many health benefits to people. From reducing weight to improving your stamina, strength and spatial awareness, sport is a great way to improve your health and overall wellbeing. However, there are so many more benefits to taking part in sport for visually impaired people. Research shows that people who are blind or partially sighted are at a greater risk of isolation and depression, compared to non-disabled people. Yet, with past experiences, we

As we venture into the summer months, our 36th annual Primary Club Heindrich Swanepoel Memorial Cup begins, with 11 teams from 10 counties participating. The Memorial Cup will be decided on Saturday, 9th August at the Spitfire Ground in Kent. We wish all the players and teams the best of luck as they compete to become the 36th winners of this great competition. The visually impaired ParalympicsGB athletes were our most decorated in the Sochi 2014 Winter Games with Kelly Gallagher and her guide Charlotte Evans securing a gold medal in the Women’s Super-G, while Jade Etherington and Caroline Powell won 3 silvers and a

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bronze in the alpine skiing events. We hope the para-sport success continues this year, as we approach the Commonwealth Games in July. Watch out for visually impaired lawn bowls, athletics and track cycling in Glasgow!

How can you get involved? We regularly share news stories and events to our members with visual impairments and many blind and partially sighted groups across the UK. If you have a great upcoming event, then please share it with us. We would be happy to advertise it in our Vision magazine, monthly email newsletter and on social media. Please share your events and news via support@britishblindsport.org.uk Has this article sparked your interest in sport? Great! If you are blind or partially sighted, get in touch with us and we will help find local sporting opportunities for you. Whether you want to get fit, meet some new friends or become the next great Paralympian, we are here to help.

You can find your local clubs by contacting us

01926 424247

support@britishblindsport.org.uk

www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Cerebal Palsy (CP) Sport:

erebral Palsy (CP) Sport is the country’s leading national disability sports organisation supporting people with cerebral palsy reach their sporting potential. Our vision is that everyone with physical disabilities is able to access a sport of their choice. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for people with physical impairments through the provision of appropriate sport and recreational activities.

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Our aims are to increase participation, raise aspirations, promote inclusion

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for people with physical impairments through the provision of appropriate sport and recreational activities.

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www.momentummagazine.co.uk Follow us: @Momentum_Mag

and support children, young people and adults with disabilities to reach their sporting potential. We achieve this through providing disability sports, such as football, swimming, athletics, bowls, table cricket and adapted sports. We also offer expert, specialist support to parents, support workers, teachers, coaches, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, sport providers and other professionals on how to adapt sports for people with cerebral palsy.

Our objectives are: • To increase participation in sport and physical activity by people with cerebral palsy and other physical impairments. • To inspire people with cerebral palsy, physical disabilities and long-term health conditions to lead to more active and fulfilling lives. • To help make people aware of the wide range of opportunities to maximise participation. • To reduce the barriers and isolation faced by so many people with cerebral palsy. • To provide increased choice and access to sport and leisure activities and opportunities. • To build partnership with key organisations and connect organisations with similar aims to create collaborative working.

What’s happening: Early Summer 2014 will see a variety of events taking place from both a Sports and Fundraising perspective.

Sporting Events: We have our athletics grand prix series taking place, young people and adults can take part in track and field competitions ending with a National Championships in September. We also see our Football Kick Start programme continuing, with the exciting launch of Frame Walker Football which will take place at St George’s Park in Burton.

Fundraising: This year sees Cerebral Palsy Sport as the title sponsor for the Great Nottinghamshire Bike Ride. This is a really exciting opportunity for us to raise the profile of the charity and promote the work we do to support children, young people and adults with disabilities reach their sporting potential.

You can find out more about us online at: www.cpsport.org facebook.com/ CerebalPalsySport @CP_Sports

MomentumMagAdMay.indd 1

22/04/2014 11:17

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 www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Wheels Matters in Momentum!

Become a Wheelchair Dance Sport Instructor and Dance with your community! full insert in the July Issue of Momentum. Having made this announcement we would like to encourage any readers interested in Wheelchair Dance to have a look at our website to see what we are all about and how you can participate.

he Wheelchair Dance Sport Association (WDSA) is the national charity and governing body for wheelchair dance sport and recreational wheelchair dancing within the UK. The aims of the WDSA (UK) are to promote and develop wheelchair dancing as a sport and leisure activity across the country and to raise the standard of instruction and competition in the UK and internationally at all levels. They also aim to make dancing fun and exciting for members and workshop participants, so that people who do wheelchair dance are proud to say “I can do that!” We have recently had the pleasure of collaborating with Momentum, who have given us a regular feature in their magazine, which is THE publication for UK disability sport. We are extremely pleased to have made this partnership and we’re excited to announce that you can expect our first

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I get inspiration from Glenn when I see what he’s achieved with his disability and returning to dance. It proves that you can have a disability and still be elegant!

Daniel, Wheelchair Dance Student

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Whether you are a wheelchair user or not, being involved in dance and dance sport is something that can help people to be more active and provides them with a sense of community. Becoming an instructor for the WDSA (UK) is something that can be fun and enable you to meet new people, see what Glenn Bayliss and Angie Golding have done after becoming instructors. Wheel Keep Dancing, the first wheelchair dance group in Dorset teaching Ballroom and Latin dancing started in September 2013. Its founder and instructor Glenn Bayliss, who has a disability himself and Angie Golding assistant instructor, both qualified to teach wheelchair dancing with the Wheelchair Dance Sport Association UK (WDSA UK).

to dance with Mungo but decided it was so enjoyable it was something she and Barrie could do together. At the taster event the wheelchair users were taught the St Bernard’s Waltz and a group dance called Afrika. After the event we were thanked by those who took part and their family and carers, they looked forward to the classes starting. It was a great day, enjoyed by everybody. Our evening class in Dorchester started in September and we will soon be starting a second class in Weymouth which will be in an afternoon; this will enable wheelchair users from local day centres to attend. We are also busy visiting residential homes in East and West Dorset. Angie says “it is very rewarding and I would recommend anybody who is interested to take the instructor course with the WDSA UK and get a class started in their area.” These are some comments from the students at our Dorchester class:

Angie’s love of dance started in her teens with freestyle and musical theatre. A couple of years ago she went along to one of Glenn’s Latin classes where he mentioned that he was taking his qualification with the WDSA UK. When Glenn showed Angie what could be achieved with wheelchair dancing she really wanted to qualify herself. Glenn knew that her experience working as a Teaching Assistant would be a good basis to assist with the classes.

Carol - “I get inspiration from Glenn when I see what he’s achieved with his disability and returning to dance. It proves that you can have a disability and still be elegant!”

We then formed a committee; Glenn is the Project Co-Ordinator and Angie the Secretary. Next came fundraising and applying for grants, we applied to Healthwatch Dorset who awarded us £1000 to get the classes started. For the presentation we attended their Community Cash Event where we demonstrated a Rumba as a combi dance (one person in a wheelchair and one person standing). We also received a lot of assistance and training to get set up with Social Media from Steve Bomford of Neb Media.

Becoming an instructor can not only help you gain confidence and skill whether you’re a care home, school or a community group, joining a local group like Wheel Keep dancing or set up your own and have fun and start engaging with all the community!

In August 2013 we held a taster event where we had the pleasant surprise of meeting Barbara and Barrie from Christchurch with Mungo who is an assistance dog from Canine Partners. Barbara does heel work to music classes and originally came to our event with the idea of being able to convert the patterns

Rachael, who’s a student busy with her studies - “It’s enjoyable and gets me out for the night.” Daniel – “It’s good exercise and a good way of making friends.”

The next WDSA (UK) Instructor Course is in Devon on 14th – 18th July. For more details on Wheelchair Dance Sport Association (UK) or becoming an instructor contact 0300 111 30 45 or look at our website www.wdsauk.co.uk alternatively, you can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wdsauk or follow us on Twitter @wdsauk. If you want to contact: Wheel Keep Dancing you can contact Glenn or Angie on 07570404509 or at wheelkeepdancing@hotmail.co.uk

GIVING EVERYONE THE CHANCE TO DANCE

mbody Dance Company gives hundreds of dancers with disabilities the opportunity to participate in weekly dance classes. Embody Dance founded by young dancer Emma Breeze, is breaking boundaries through its innovative and refreshing approach to dance and disability. Emma has designed Tiger Feet dance classes specifically for children and adults with both learning disabilities and physical disabilities. Tiger Feet classes are exciting, fresh and exhilarating. Tiger Feet classes cater for all ages and abilities including dancers in wheelchairs, dancers with many additional needs and of course- all support workers who can’t help but join in! It is paramount to both Emma and Embody that all classes are accessible to everyone. Embody has established over 20 Adult Tiger Feet classes across Warwickshire and the West Midlands, as well as Pre-school Tiger Feet, and After-school Children’s Tiger Feet. Embody also teaches Tiger Feet classes within Special Schools. The company works with many local and regional organisations to create classes in the community and in care settings.

Embody Dance strives to continue to build on their success as they expand and create new classes. At a recent exhibition aimed at parents of children with disabilities, Embody were inundated for requests for new classes in new areas that they had not even previously considered.

The impact of Tiger Feet can be seen by those who attend the classes, as experienced by Jill Hinde from Coventry Mencap, ‘Since the start of Tiger Feet we have seen a vast improvement in people’s ability to complete quite complex routines and the readiness to learn new moves. Concentration, stamina and strength has also been improved’.

As Embody continues to grow further, they hope to take on more teachers and apprentices like Holly, to reach greater numbers of children and adults with learning disabilities, in order to ‘Give Everyone the Chance to Dance’.

The parents of a child who attends Tiger Feet classes exclaim. ‘Dancing has improved all aspects of our Daughter’s life and she loves it so much. She is a far more confident child now thanks to dancing and absolutely adores Emma’. Embody are extremely excited to have recently taken on Holly, a young dance teacher apprentice with Down’s Syndrome, whose placement has been sponsored by Coventry Mencap. Holly assists with classes and is a fantastic asset to the team. Holly would like to continue to work in dance and performing arts as she gets older.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Tel: 07533916231 Visit our website:

www.embodydance.co.uk/tigerfeet www.momentummagazine.co.uk www.momentummagazine.co.uk

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83% of disabled people have taken their custom to competitors when faced with inaccessible or unwelcoming services.

Let’s Get PhysicALL! Inclusive Fitness

he IFI Mark is managed by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) – and is an accreditation which provides disabled people with the assurance that the service provision at these facilities are inclusive and accessible to meet their individual needs. To find your nearest IFI Mark gym visit www.efds.co.uk/ inclusive_fitness/ifi_gyms and for further information about the accessibility of each gym visit the nationwide access register – Direct Enquiries who are responsible for carrying out the IFI Mark assessments www.directenquiries.com/ The IFI has been fundamental in addressing inequality in physical activity; to reach inactive populations, raise awareness of the benefits of exercise and create demand. IFI Mark gyms realise how important accessibility and service provision is for disabled people. ‘83% of disabled people have taken their custom to competitors when faced with inaccessible or unwelcoming services’ Conversely, IFI Mark facilities have attracted a loyal customer base of disabled gym members who remain at the facility because of the excellent service provision they receive – not only that - they tell their family and friends about it! The IFI Mark supports the fitness industry to provide better and accessible service by eliminating the fears and insecurities leisure providers often have about disabled people. Inclusive Fitness is the physical activity focus of EFDS and supports the charity to meet its strategic aims of disabled people being ‘Active for Life’ through participation in sport and physical activity. We want disabled people to be able to enjoy regular sport and physical activity, wherever and in

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whatever sport or activity they wish to. For disabled people more than most physical activity has many benefits and is not just about ‘getting fit’ – it is a lifestyle choice to support active daily living. These include - health benefits like boosting your immune system generally, social benefits increasing self-confidence and preventing depression as well as everyday life benefits of feeling stronger to carry out those everyday activities. If you’re considering going to a gym for the first time it can be quite daunting for anyone so here’s what to expect when you visit an IFI Mark gym:• Staff who are friendly and welcoming and aware of how to provide inclusive customer service provision to disabled customers. • Gym staff who are qualified to adapt and prescribe physical activity suitable to people with different impairments. You will receive a full induction and policies will be inclusive allowing where possible a Health Commitment Statement for you to exercise without GP consent or referral. • Accessible fitness equipment -IFI Mark gyms have accessible equipment installed that will provide a disabled and non-disabled user with a full body workout across the strength and cardiovascular range. Most of all within an IFI Mark gym you will be made to feel welcome and feel reassured that the facility is accessible to you regardless of your impairment. The holistic approach of the IFI supports the breakdown of social and psychological barriers faced by disabled people.

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If you already use a gym regularly why not signpost them to the IFI so that they can gain recognition for their inclusion and achieve the IFI Mark and/or be supported to improve their inclusive service provision further? If you’re new to gyms check out one of our 400 IFI Mark gyms – you will find not only a welcoming inclusive environment with expert instructors but more user friendly fitness equipment which has been tried, tested and adapted by fitness equipment manufacturers to support your needs. If you’re thinking about exercise, before you start you might want to look at the following Fit for Life and Sport resources which have recently been written and launched by the Peter Harrison Foundation for Disability Sport to support people with different impairments to be fitter and healthier for life to access these resources visit: www.efds.co.uk/news/2340_phc_ produces_fit_for_life_and_sport_guides_ for_but a few.

>> Written by: Jules Twells: Inclusive Fitness Initiative

Paralympic Champion Josie Pearson trains on a SCIFIT PRO1 Upper Body Exerciser

The leader in upper body cardio exercise Why choose SCIFIT cardio equipment? Upper body exercise specialists Very low starting resistances Single/both arm workouts Wheelchair accessible models IFI accreditation from EFDS

Call 01344 300 022 Visit www.SCIFIT.uk.com for more information

aralympic Gold Medalist athlete Josie Pearson uses the SCIFIT PRO1 Upper Body Exerciser as an integral part of her upper body training.

console display.” Josie continued to use the SCIFIT PRO1 Upper Body Exerciser, as a key part of her fitness training and in July 2013 she won gold at the IPC Athletics World Championships Josie first used the PRO1 in Lyon. Josie threw a (IFI-accredited model) at distance of 7.09m, beating the gym in the run up to the her own world record and London 2012 Paralympic securing the gold medal. Games. Following her gold She continues to train on medal success with a world the PRO1 and is looking record throw of 6.58m in the forward to the 2014 Discus F51, she decided to IPC Athletics European incorporate the PRO1 into Championships as her next her home workouts as well. target for gold! Josie commented: “Working out on the SCIFIT PRO1 Upper Body Exercise helped me gain core strength, upper body strength and cardiovascular fitness and it has been a key part of my training programme. It’s so easy to use in my wheelchair and I can easily track my performance improvement with the feedback you get on the

Scan the QR code to watch Josie Pearson in action on the PRO1 Upper Body Exerciser.

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There is a misconception that the majority of disability sports are wheelchair based. Of the 22 sports Parasport recommended for a single leg amputee only six were wheelchair based.

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articipation in sport among people with a physical impairment is increasing which is the great news, but there is still an imbalance between sports participation among disabled and non-disabled people. 18.5% of disabled people currently play sport on a weekly basis compared to 39.2% of nondisabled people: only 17.9% of people with a physical impairment participant in sport on a weekly basis.

This leads us to the question, what is preventing people with amputations and other physical impairments from participating in sport? What are the barriers and can they be overcome? These barriers can be broken down into three areas: physical, logistical and psychological. What are the physical barriers? Physical barriers cited by disabled people include a lack of accessible equipment, accessible facilities and health and safety.

Overcoming barriers to participation in sport >> Written by: Kiera Roche, Chief Executive: LimbPower share information about the different sports, sign-post amputees to events, activities and competitions, as well as promote Introduction to Sport days and Talent ID days. www.limbpower.com. What are the psychological barriers? Psychological barriers listed by disabled people include: personal perception, lack of self-confidence, low self-esteem, negative body image and the perception of others. Lack of confidence and self-belief prevent many disabled people from even considering taking part in sport. Taking that first step is incredibly daunting, which is why LimbPower organise events like the Advanced Rehabilitation Event, The LimbPower Games and the Primary and Junior Games. These events are designed to introduce amputees of all ages and abilities to sport in a safe, relaxed and friendly environment among peers, where everyone is in the same boat.

Logistical barriers cited by disabled people include geography, the expense of taking part, support of others, lack of communication and suitability of facilities.

Overcoming the psychological barriers is the critical first step. Amputees can and do participate in sport; below knee amputees, above knee amputees, upper limb amputees and people with multiple limb loss: new amputees, established amputees, young and old. There is a sport for every level of amputation. At the recent LimbPower Games we had over 20 sports. Sport England fund 42 key sports, all with provisions for disabled people. Some are much more advanced in their programmes than other, but all offer some level of participation for disabled people. You can go to the Parasport website and type in your level of amputation and it will calculate a list of suitable sports for your level of amputation. You can also use the website to find local clubs. parasport.org.uk/find-a-sport.

Charities like LimbPower and the other National Disability Sports Organisations organise events in a conducive environment, run by other amputees and coaches from the National Governing bodies of Sport who have been trained to work with disabled people. We run these events at a hugely reduced cost making them accessible and inexpensive. We also

There is a misconception among amputees that the majority of disability sports are wheelchair based. Of the 22 sports Parasport recommended for a single leg amputee only six were wheelchair based. There is also a common misconception that an amputee needs a bespoke prosthesis to participate in sport. There are many sports where a prosthesis either isn’t needed or an

We know of amputees who have been told that they can’t train at a gym because the instructors don’t know how to teach them or because the staff are worried about health and safety. The good news is that things are changing and through the Inclusive Fitness Initiative, which now has over 400 IFI Mark accredited gym facilities, with accessible facilities amputees and the limb impaired have more access to sport. www.efds.co.uk/inclusive_fitness. What are the logistical barriers?

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LimbPower

everyday leg is sufficient, socket comfort permitting. There are of course exceptions to this for example an above knee amputee needs a running leg to take part in athletics and an upper limb amputee may need a bicycle adjustment to be able to cycle, but there are many sports which can be enjoyed without a bespoke prosthesis such as swimming, archery shooting, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, rowing, canoeing, sailing, powerlifting, fencing. badminton tennis and table tennis to name but a few. Sport has so many positive benefits for able-bodied people, but even more for amputees including: • Maintaining a healthy and stable weight. Gaining or losing weight has a major impact on prosthetic fitting. • For non-vascular amputees exercises is a primary preventative treatment to reduce the risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and peripheral vascular disease. • Exercises for amputees with vascular disease are a secondary preventative treatment against the ongoing process of Type 2 diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. • Good nutrition and regular exercise have a positive effect on the skeletal system, and help prevent osteoporosis. • Overcoming Depression - Amputation can have a number of negative psychological effects, including major depression. Exercising releases neurotransmitters and endorphins, which create feelings of happiness and elation. If you want to find out more about sport for amputees and the ambulant disabled please contact Gemma Trotter at: gemma@limbpower.com

solicitors

A Day in the life of a Welfare Manager

ulie Sutton is a Welfare Manager for NewLaw Solicitors. Her role is to work alongside the Serious Injury Team of Solicitors, providing emotional, psychological and practical support to their clients. She has been in the role for four and a half years. Julie and her colleague, Mike Tonkin, assist the clients from the moment an accident is reported and provide support to them throughout the duration of the claim. Having gained her Diploma in Counselling in 1995, Julie is now an Accredited member of British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and an Accredited member of the Institute of Welfare, - having been on the Board of Directors for a year. She feels strongly about providing welfare support for vulnerable clients which includes those who have suffered serious spinal cord injuries, brain injury, amputations. Sadly, Julie also visits families who have lost their loved ones through fatal road accidents. “The family often feel helpless and sometimes need guidance dealing with probate, wills or have questions about inquests. Having past knowledge working with Police Family Liaison Officers, I can ensure the family have appropriate support and guide them through the most difficult times” Julie’s past careers have put her in good stead for her current role. She worked as a Trauma Counsellor/Welfare Officer with South Wales Police, providing support and counselling front line Police Officers and Police Staff e.g. Firearms Officers/ Traffic Offers/ Control Room Staff. She

was also trained as a Psychological Debriefer and debriefed Officers after major incidents. She has also worked with the NHS – Mental Health – and the Office for National Statistics as Staff Counsellor and a Welfare Officer for the local branch of UNISON. Julie also ran a private counselling practice and wrote and delivered training courses on stress management and loss and bereavement. Travelling across England and Wales to see clients, it is not unusual for Julie to accrue over 3000 miles a month. There is no set working pattern, sometimes clients prefer to see you in the evenings when their partner is there and occasionally we will work on a weekend. Communication is key. Whilst most of our clients are in hospital, I will liaise with the hospital staff including the treating Consultant, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist and will often attend MultiDisciplinary Team meetings and oversee safe discharges. Our clients face very difficult and challenging times. Their world is often turned upside down and my role is to signpost them to appropriate agencies, help them through their troubled times, provide practical support on such things as finances, housing and state benefits and to just be available to them. It is important to know that whilst their claim is ongoing they have the support should they need it. We work very much as a team and I link in with the Solicitors handling the case and update them on any changes they need to know. Also should anything untoward happen, the Solicitor will call the Welfare Manager in when needed.

I often get asked how I arrived into the counselling role. I had always wanted to be a nurse, but realised quite quickly this was not my vocation, passing out every time I saw a spot of blood or a needle! I have always been interested in people. Whenever I went on a train or a plane, I always seemed to end up with the person next to me giving me their life story and their problems. My friends say “you have that kind of face”!!! I have been told I am a good listener and more importantly – discreet! It is an emotionally challenging role and one which requires an understanding approach. No two days are the same and this is what is enjoyable. Every client is different and you never quite know what situation you are walking into. Some clients develop depression or anxiety and this is where I feel I do make a difference as this is where my skills can be used. It is a very rewarding role to be able to help clients on their journey. I am constantly humbled by the strength of character shown by our clients. NewLaw Solicitors is one of the leading legal practices in the country and has one of the largest, most experienced catastrophic injury teams in the UK. Every year it helps thousands of injured people recover the compensation they deserve following life changing accidents and raises thousands of pounds for the charities that work with its clients. For more information on how NewLaw can support you, call: 0333 321 7496 or visit: www.new-law.co.uk.

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British Cycling believes that everyone who wants to try riding a bike should get the opportunity to do so. There is an amazing diversity of adaptive equipment available to let people enjoy a bike ride. Nick Chamberlin British Cycling’s National Operations Manager

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British Cycling’s Sky Ride programme Bringing accessible bike rides to towns and cities all over Britain.

e want to see as many people as possible enjoying cycling – whatever kind of bike you ride, and whatever your ability. Working closely with disability charities, and the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), we’re aiming to provide opportunities to ride a bike for everyone that wants to, with our guided ride programme. Whether you are looking to build a bit of confidence, try out some new wheels or find new places to ride in your area, our website, goskyride.com, is the place to find a ride near you. Partnering with Sky and local councils across the country, we are delivering a number of cycling programmes, from the big bike rides on traffic-free city streets to our guided rides like Breeze and Sky Ride Local – they all provide different opportunities to get on your bike more often, with other people. At Sky Ride, our big bike events which take over city centres to allow traffic-free cycling and a festival of bikes, you can bring your own wheels and ride as much or as little of the safe, traffic-free route as you like – at

your own pace. Many events also offer adapted bikes for hire and above all, we want to see thousands of people riding their wheels around the route. Many of our guided Sky Ride Local rides use routes which are ideal for adaptive bikes. If you’re an adaptive bike user with access to your own bike and would like to take part in a Sky Ride Local, we are able to provide lots of information about routes that might be suitable for you. We realise that no two routes – or people – are the same, so we want to make it as easy as possible to get information and register, free, for a ride near you. Breeze bike rides for women are organised by volunteer champions, and many have routes which are suitable for adaptive bikes. Breeze is a brilliant way to meet other people, enjoy the social aspects of cycling with other women and increase opportunities to ride your bike. If you’re interested in taking part, email us and tell us where you live and we’ll put you in touch with champions near you who can advise about routes. Ride Social rides are organised by members of our free cycling network. They’re perfect for disability group organisers or adaptive bike users who would like to create their own rides. It’s free and easy to join and create your own groups and rides. If you’ve seen a ride

you’d like to join, you can contact the organiser to ask about the suitability of the route for your bike. Our National Operations Manager, Nick Chamberlin, is excited by the opportunities to make cycling more accessible: ‘British Cycling believes that everyone who wants to try riding a bike should get the opportunity to do so. There is an amazing diversity of adaptive equipment available to let people enjoy a bike ride. We realise, though, that access to a suitable bike, a great place to ride it and people to ride with is great in some places and not so great in others. ‘Therefore, British Cycling is working with cycling organisations, charities, local government and the community to improve this. We are really excited to be working with some great partners to make cycling more accessible, helping to increase opportunities and demonstrate how accessible cycling can be.’

For more information about any of British Cycling’s programmes Visit us or email:

goskyride.com

skyride@britishcycling.org.uk

www.pacerehab.com

CONVERTING PATIENTS INTO PEOPLE

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Above the elbow amputee Jon-Allan Butterworth powering to glory

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Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling Ready to host the Offcial Ceremonial Start of the Tour de France

aking place throughout the Grand Depart weekend from 4th - 6th July 2014, the Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling will be hosting high quality camping and glamping facilities, providing groups of all sizes a prime spot to see the Tour de France first hand. The Tour peloton will ride up the front drive and stop outside the front of Harewood House for the Ceremonial Start of the 2014 edition of the race. The fun isn’t limited to camping and viewing the race, however, with plenty more on-site activities to keep festivalgoers entertained throughout the weekend. These include a range of sporting participation events such as duathlons, cycling time trials and trail runs (with the challenge to beat times set by Olympic gold and bronze medalwinning triathletes Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee). A series of led rides will head out into the Yorkshire Dales so that fans can view the later stages of the race on both days, with selected routes led by Olympic silver medallist and local rider Lizzie Armitstead. Amongst a host of sporting and family entertainment over the weekend there will be a cycling cinema, an outdoors

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The Yorkshire Festival of Cycling will be a great place to bring everyone together in celebration.

Alistair Brownlee Festival Ambassador

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shopping expo, live music on various stages, literary and adventure talks, family action activities in a 2-acre Army & RAF Activities Zone and big screens to view the rest of the Grand Depart, as well as the Football World Cup quarter finals, F1 British Grand Prix and Wimbledon in a bumper weekend of British sport. Adding an even further sense of British-ness to the weekend will be an RAF Red Arrows fly-past just as the Tour passes through the grounds, a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight the following day featuring the rare sight of a WWII Spitfire, Hurricane, Dakota and a Lancaster, and a series of performances by the marching Band of The Corps of Royal Engineers through Harewood’s historic grounds. As well as Lizzie Armitstead, high profile guests will include 2006 Tour de France winner Oscar Pereiro, Ireland’s former Tour, Giro and World Champion Stephen Roche and some principal guests who will see the race off just before midday on Saturday 5th July. The party atmosphere will kick off in style on Friday 4th with four hours of musical entertainment from Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley, Rebecca Ferguson and Soul ll Soul as all three acts perform at The Tour Concert in Harewood’s grounds. “The Yorkshire Festival of Cycling will be a great place to bring everyone together in celebration,” said ambassador Alistair Brownlee; “it’s an opportunity to experience the beauty of one of Yorkshire’s oldest estates and watch the race up close, but you can also have a go at these events yourself, meet like-minded people and get inspired to keep up a sport afterwards.” Fellow ambassador and Yorkshire Olympian Lizzie Armitstead commented “This is my home county, and the roads around Harewood House are some of my favourite to ride on when I’m here,

so going on a ride with the Yorkshire Festival of Cycling will be a bit like taking a big group of cycling fans on one of my training routes.” She continued: “On a personal level, I’m really looking forward to being a spectator for once and enjoying the race with my family and friends. It will be a new experience for me - it’s different from the usual music festivals and there’ll be so much going on all weekend, I’m even planning to try out glamping.” Christopher Newton, Director of Harewood Events Ltd, organisers of the Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling, said: “It’s been great to watch the public excitement for the Festival growing as the Grand Depart grows ever closer. Since we first launched the event last summer we’ve been delighted to be able to add such a wide range of entertainment and activities to the bill, making for the most action packed weekend that Harewood has ever seen.” He continued: “We very much look forward to welcoming our visitors in July, and to putting on a brilliant cycling spectacle for everyone.” Day tickets start from £18, with a range of tailored packages available for camping and participation activities. Camping prices start from as little as £14 per person per night (based on a 10x10m standard 3-night weekend camping pitch for 8 people).

For more information on the Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling,

Please visit:

www.festivalofcycling.org www.momentummagazine.co.uk

ROODOG:

A BREED OF NEW BIKES

Para GP of Wales confirms Monmouthshire as cycling capital MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council is making huge strides in developing para cycling as part of their aim to become the ‘cycling capital of Wales’.

big step forward and is a move towards that being a possibility in the future.” The council’s Disability Sport Wales Development Officer Mark Foster said: “We’re really proud of the progress The authority has just been we’ve made so far. We’re awarded the prestigious committed to making sport insport Development Ribbon inclusive for all and see this from Disability Sport Wales for as a hugely positive step including sports opportunities forward. for disabled people in their communities. And the high“We’re already working on profile cycling events being achieving the next stage in hosted by the county in June the insport programme – the will bring more opportunities. bronze award – and have our sights set on getting that In particular, the Abergavenny gold.” Festival of Cycling, which this year runs alongside the Disability Sport Wales National Championships chief executive officer hosted by the county, has John Morgan said: incorporated the Para Grand “We are delighted that Prix of Wales within its Monmouthshire County programme. Council has been awarded the insport Ribbon. Their The race will see trikes, achievement reflects a lot of handbikes and tandems ride effort and commitment by laps of the historic town of their Leisure Service and we Abergavenny and will last for look forward to supporting an action-packed 60 minutes. Monmouthshire County Indeed, para cycling Council as it strives to reach legend Dame Sarah Storey, insport Bronze.” who recently visited Monmouthshire to test out For more information about this year’s Elite Women’s the insport award, see www. Championship course ahead monmouthshire.gov.uk and of the race on 29th June, said for the Para Cycling Grand it would be ‘a dream’ to have Prix of Wales, go to www. the Para Cycling National abergavennyfestivalofcyRoad Championships cling.co.uk incorporated into the ablebodied annual competition. * Pictured: Dame Sarah Storey and riders from the Dame Sarah said: “This, Pearl Izumi Team visit the having a Grand Prix of Time Trial course in MonWales for para cyclists, is a mouthshire.

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of designs, specifications and regular visits to their factories are made to ensure high standards are met and maintained. The current RooDog range consists of classic looking Chic and Tourer (Step-over); the trendy and sleek looking Avatar with removable built-in battery (available in both step-over and step-through); the lightweight n January 2013, a new breed Striker which weighs less than 20Kg including battery; Explorer of ebikes – RooDog was for the mountain bike style established. This family run business based in a beautiful lovers; The space saving foldable bike Bliss; and the unique Polka seaside town called Hornsea, Dot bike that designed just for East Yorkshire. Scott Voase and Weiwei Wu founders and directors the female riders. of the company created a range Please visit their website of electric bikes aim to suite www.roodog.co.uk for the full everyone’s taste, lifestyle, needs range and their specifications. and budgets.

They are passionate about what they do, and believe excellent customer services and aftersales are key to a successful business. They promote green emissions, cost saving, health and well being. Scott and Weiwei work closely with their team in terms

Key features:

RooDog has a network of retailers around the country, and it’s still growing. If you are interested in becoming part of the RooDog family, please get in touch via email trade@roodog.co.uk or call 01964 536570.

Here at RooDog, we continuously carry out research and development into the requirements of the UK electric bicycle market, helping us to consistently deliver innovative, high quality, good looking, and affordable range of ebikes.

> Competitively priced > Stylish, light weight and high quality > Lithium batteries with a range of 30+ miles power assisted (PAS) > 3 pedal assisted power levels, with top speed of 15.5mph > 12 months warranty on all electrical parts > UK based family run business > Friendly and fully experienced staff, excellent customer service

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CycleMiles: Cycling Competition worth over £85!!!

o celebrate the first issue of momentum magazine, CycleMiles - Adventure Cycling Store and Art of Cycling Gallery, is giving away a bumper bundle of gifts for cyclists worth over £85. The gifts include “Le Tour 100” by Peter Cossins. The “Girls guide to Life on Two Wheels” by Cathy Bussey. A “I’d rather be cycling mug”. Pink or Blue. A pair of Tour de France Yellow Jersey enamel cufflinks, a Poppy Trefrey, big bicycle purse and a monkii (bottle) cage. To be in with a chance of winning these great prizes, just head over to www.cyclemiles.co.uk and using the “contact” form answer this question:

“

Which female Paralympian won 4 gold medals cycling at the 2012 Olympic games?

Russ Downing NFTO Pro Cycling

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“

Special Olympics means a lot to me because I love socialising with people and being part of a team. I feel like a winner with Special Olympics and it makes me feel good about myself.

Special Olympics GB Athlete

SPECIAL OLYMPICS GB:

Transforming lives through sport

or over 35 years Special Olympics Great Britain, part of a global movement which operates in over 170 countries worldwide, has been transforming the lives of children and adults with intellectual (learning) disabilities through the power of sport. Almost 1.2 million people (2% of the population) in Great Britain live with an intellectual disability. They experience social exclusion, difficulty in accessing good quality healthcare, and their life expectancies are significantly reduced compared to their non-intellectually disabled peers (13 years for males and 20 years for females) - for reasons unrelated to their intellectual disability.

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Special Olympics is a global movement creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability. We are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place - one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time.

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Through the power of sport Special Olympics GB is tackling these issues. It is the largest registered charity providing year-round training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities. The training in 26 Olympic-type sports takes place through a network of 150 volunteer-led clubs around England, Scotland and Wales. 8,000 children and adults around the country are registered as Special Olympics athletes. Special Olympics provides a unique competition pathway that enables its athletes to progress from local competitions to competing at a national or even international level. All Special Olympics competitions are ‘banded’ to ensure meaningful competition at all levels of ability. This means that athletes of any ability can be selected to represent their region at a national competition, or even Great Britain at a European or World competition. Every four years Special Olympics holds its World Summer Games. The next World Games will involve around 7,000 athletes from 170 countries competing in Los Angeles in 2015 and Special Olympics GB will be sending 120 athletes to compete in the Games. President Obama and First Lady, Michele Obama, are Honorary Chairs for the 2015 World Summer Games. And in 2014, a team of 50 Special Olympics athletes will be representing GB when 2,000 athletes gather in Belgium for the European Summer Games in September. “Our year-round programme of competitions provides the opportunity

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to bring our athletes centre stage and celebrate their ability, courage and determination,” explains Karen Wallin, Chief Executive Special Olympics GB. “A Special Olympics competition is always full of joy and a great sense of sportsmanship. It also provides the opportunity for families to take pride in the achievement of their family member.” “Through participation in the Special Olympics GB programme our athletes develop the skills and confidence they need to overcome the barriers and exclusion they face in daily life. We help people with intellectual disabilities to get active, have fun and make friends through sport and it makes a real difference to their lives.” Involvement in Special Olympics Great Britain has been proved to result in wider social networks and lower stress levels for those with intellectual disabilities. It improves their general health and mental wellbeing and counteracts the isolation they experience, and importantly, through highlighting their abilities it supports a shift in attitudes across society towards those with disabilities.

For more information please visit: SpecialOlympicsgb.org.uk Twitter: @SOGreatBritain Facebook: SpecialOlympicsGB www.momentummagazine.co.uk

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Our aim is to contribute to the Vision for Sport by creating a more inclusive sports sector where every disabled person is hooked on sport, offering real choice as to where, when and how often people play sport.

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Disability Sport Wales

Transforming lives through the power of sport

elsh sport is committed to ‘inspiring the delivery of bigger and better outcomes for sport’. Our sports sector’s vision is to ‘Unite a Proud Sporting Nation’, where ‘Every Child is Hooked on Sport for Life’ and where Wales is a ‘Nation of Champions’.

Disability Sport Wales is committed to this common vision and believes it has a pivotal and unique role in helping to drive transformational change by building upon past experience and recent success. Our aim is to contribute to the Vision for Sport by creating a more inclusive sports sector where every disabled person is hooked on sport, offering real choice as to where, when and how often people play sport. We believe that this approach will help to secure the sector’s goal of ‘more people, more active, more often’. To achieve this transformation, however, means that we must be ambitious – we must set the bar high. We cannot achieve significant change through Disability Sport Wales alone. We need to bring existing as well as new partners on the journey with us. We must challenge our partners and the wider sporting landscape to accept and embrace

inclusion, and in so doing, provide even greater levels of activity for disabled people. We believe that this is the right time to drive Wales’ toward an inclusive sporting landscape using platforms that have already been built as well as the changing perceptions that have been inspired as a result of the impact of London 2012 (and later this summer Glasgow 2014 and Swansea 2014). Long term cultural and philosophical change is at the heart of our strategy. Disability sport must be an ‘intrinsic central aspect’ (Sport Wales ‘Vision for Sport’) of every organisation’s offer in Wales. We recognise that this level of change will not happen without support. We are, therefore, committed to helping our partners through new and innovative education programmes, providing them with the right tools to do the right job in the right place. We will also need to take account of other challenges such as poverty, physical education in schools, communication and signposting as well as the potential for further cuts to public sector funding. Being creative and engaging in honest reflection is key within a changing landscape. Ever improving standards within elite performance sport must also be addressed if we are to continue to be ‘a nation of disabled champions’. Performance standards are more demanding than

ever, with many nations investing more in paralympic sport than in any other previous cycle. If we are to achieve our targets for Glasgow 2014 and Rio 2016 then we must be even more focussed. The ability to produce ‘home grown’ talent is proven, but will not be enough on its own. The challenge moving forward is to produce athletes of an even better standard. Early athlete identification and intervention, linked to effective coaching and sports science support will be critical if our athletes are to be successful on the international stage. Disability Sport Wales is proud to have been able to contribute to our Country’s sporting landscape, it’s rich sporting heritage and to make our own contribution toward its culture, language and its people. Success moving forward will demand from our partners commitment, innovation, vision and above all a collective ambition to create a Wales where inclusion is the norm. There is no (disability) sport road map that we can follow to achieve this – but together, we will create it!

For more information visit: disabilitysportwales.com

Facebook:DisabilitySportWales Twitter: @dsw_news

CAERPHILLY COUNCIL:

Rewarded for disability sport provision

he Executive Director and Chair of Disability Sport Wales presented Caerphilly County Borough Council with an award earlier this year for work done by the Sport and Leisure Service to provide sporting opportunities to disabled people.

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Every year disabled children from right across Wales are treated to their very own Six Nations tournament in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly.

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insport is an accreditation system which identifies and supports National Governing Bodies of Sport, Council’s and Clubs with the provision of inclusive, quality sessions to disabled people within their communities and at a level of their choice or potential. The insport Ribbon Award was presented to the Caerphilly County Borough Council this year in recognition of the dedication shown in providing access to inclusive and quality sporting opportunities for disabled people. Cllr Dave Poole, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services, said, “This award shows that we are well on our way to becoming completely inclusive here in Caerphilly and are committed to developing disability sport in our county borough.”

One of the opportunities that Caerphilly Sport and Leisure provide for disabled children recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Every year disabled children from right across Wales are treated to their very own Six Nations tournament in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly. Since its inception the tournament has been organised by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Sport Development Team and has been well supported by the Welsh Rugby Union and by Ryan Jones, the former Welsh International captain. This year was no different. Ryan attended the event and commented, “I’ve been very, very fortunate to be part of this for nine years. Not only do

these guys look forward to it, but so do. To come here and see the enjoyment, the pure fun factor these kids have, because it really is rugby for all. It has grown year on year and I hope it continues to do so.” In addition to this successful event, a number of sports clubs across Caerphilly County Borough also offer disabled people the chance to get involved in sports such as swimming and wheelchair basketball. More information on Disability Sport in Caerphilly County Borough can be found at www.sportcaerphilly.org.uk.

www.momentummagazine.co.uk

cottish Disability Sport is the Scottish governing body of all sports for people of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability. Scottish Disability Sport has the vision of leading the development of sport and physical recreation for disabled people in Scotland and contributing to UK and international initiatives. Through the current strategic plan “Inspiring Through Inclusion”, Scottish Disability Sport is implementing and developing numerous initiatives aimed at making a direct impact on the interest generated by both the London 2012 Paralympic Games and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Twenty seven Scottish athletes and players competed as part of the ParalympicsGB team at the London 2102 Summer Paralympic Games, returning home with an impressive haul of 3 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze medals. Scottish Disability Sport was delighted that the Scottish Wheelchair Curlers selected to represent ParalympicsGB at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games returned home with a magnificent bronze medal. The London and Sochi Paralympic Games undoubtedly inspired the nation and changed perceptions of disability and disability sport forever. Inclusion is at the heart of all of Scottish Disability Sport’s work and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be the most inclusive sporting event ever with 22 medal events across the five sports of Athletics, Cycling, Swimming, Lawn Bowls and Powerlifting. Scottish athletes with a disability are in contention for selection within each of the five sports and Team Scotland will include the largest number of disabled athletes ever selected, and it is anticipated that there will be more Scottish medallists than ever before. Athletics were the first sport to select athletes to Team Scotland and this selection included Paralympic and World Champion Silver medallist Libby Clegg selected for the T12 100m, and young wheelchair racers Meggan Dawson-Farrell and Samantha Kinghorn who have been selected for the T54 1500m. All of the events will be completely integrated within their sports ensuring that athletes with a disability will be performing in front of the thousands in the stadiums and the millions watching on TV and online, showcasing disability sport to a worldwide audience. One of the initiatives Scottish Disability

Scottish Disability Sport Sport is currently undertaking to capitalise on the “bounce effect” of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games is being delivered in partnership with Education Scotland and sportscotland. A Disability Inclusion Training programme is being rolled out to education staff across Scotland to improve the quality of PE provision for disabled children and their non-disabled peers. Scottish Disability Sport aims to provide a minimum of 1000 early years practitioners, primary teachers, primary specialist PE teachers, secondary teachers and trainee teachers throughout Scotland with the knowledge, skills and experience to fully include disabled young people in quality PE and sports provision between 2012-2014 through the delivery of 57 courses at no cost at the point of delivery. Scottish Disability Sport has also received funding support from sportscotland to put in place a seven strong Regional Manager structure across Scotland to support individual athletes and players to become involved in sport and progress in their chosen sport. Scottish Disability Sport Regional Managers posts are now established in five of the six Scottish Disability Sport regions with a specific remit to identify and support new athletes with a disability; and in the last twelve months 231 young athletes and players with a disability have attended talent development days, 184 local coaches have been supported through education & training opportunities and 33 local sports clubs and squads have been supported to include athletes and players with a

disability. The Scottish Disability Sport Regional Managers work closely in partnership with Regional colleagues from numerous mainstream governing bodies of sport along with key local partners and Scottish Disability Sport member Branches to ensure an inclusive approach to the development of sporting pathways. 2014 will undoubtedly be a significant year for Scottish Disability Sport and we will build on the impetus from the London 2012 Paralympic Games and use the increased profile and media interest that the Glasgow2014 Commonwealth Games will generate to ensure the future development of disability sport in Scotland.

Anyone interested in supporting the work of Scottish Disability Sport or requiring further information on opportunities available for athletes and players with a disability in Scotland, should contact:

0131 317 1130

scottishdisabilitysport.com admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com

Disability Sports NI

isability Sports NI is Northern Ireland’s main disability sports charity and is recognised by Sport Northern Ireland as the key body responsible or the development of sport and physical recreation opportunities for people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities in Northern Ireland.

The organisation believes that every person with a disability has the right to participate in all aspects of society, and works to give people with disabilities the same opportunity as everyone else in society to lead a full, active and healthy lifestyle through sport and physical recreation. Originally established in 1997 by a small number of disability sports groups, the organisation has gradually grown to represent the vast majority of disability sports groups in Northern Ireland and now organizes a range of events, participation programmes, training courses and education projects which directly benefits 20,000 children and adults across Northern Ireland each year.

Just like every other part of the UK a complex range of barriers mean that people with disabilities in Northern Ireland are much less likely than non disabled people to participate in sport. Indeed the most recent research carried out by Sport Northern Ireland in 2010 found that disabled people were half as likely to participate in sport and physical recreation as the population as a whole, with only 19% of disabled adults participating compared to 37% of all adults. However thanks to on going development work by Disability Sports NI, Sport Northern Ireland, District Councils and Governing Bodies of Sport there has been a significant improvement in sports and recreation provision for people with disabilities in Northern Ireland in recent years.

Paralympic Success Exactly how much the disability sport system has improved in Northern Ireland was clearly demonstrated at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, which were the most successful Paralympic Games in history for athletes from Northern Ireland. Eight athletes successfully qualified for the games, six on the Paralympics Ireland squad and two on the Paralympics GB squad, securing a total of 7 medals, including 5 gold! More recently, Northern Ireland also had success at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games with County Down athlete Kelly Gallagher securing the UK’s first Winter Paralympic gold medal in history. (Photo Caption: Gold Medallist Kelly Gallagher pictured with DSNI’s CEO Kevin O’Neill and Chairperson Angela Hendra, on her return from the 2014 Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi.)

Participation Programmes The success of the Northern Ireland athletes on the world stage is of course underpinned by an increasing number of participation opportunities across Northern Ireland. Excellent disability sports projects, offering people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in a range of sports in their local area are now available in 10 of Northern Ireland’s 26 local authority areas and plans are in place to extend this to every area of Northern Ireland by 2019. The longest established project is in the Fermanagh District Council area, where local Disability Sports Officer Roisin Henry works in partnership with Fermanagh District Council staff to organise a range of sports involving over 2,000 people with disabilities each year. Activities on offer are varied ranging from walking, new age kurling and Boccia to Wheelchair Basketball. In addition to the local authority programmes ten governing bodies of sport also have developing programmes in place offering specific programmes and activities for people with disabilities in the sports of Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Cycling, Football, Gaelic Games, Rugby, Sailing, Swimming and Table Tennis. Disability Sports NI also provides additional competitive opportunities in the sports of Wheelchair Basketball and Boccia. Further information on the full range of participation opportunities available to people with disabilities in Northern Ireland is available from www.dsni.co.uk. (Top Photo Caption: The Northern Ireland U15 Team displaying their trophies as winners of the 2014 Lord Taverners Junior League.) www.momentummagazine.co.uk

“

Depression robbed me of a normal life for 10 years, but when I joined Sport in Mind sessions they gave me the chance to play sport again and feel ‘normal’. I’ve heard people say ‘playing sport changed my life’, but for me Sport in Mind didn’t just change my life – they saved it! Martin, 32, depression sufferer

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Sport in Mind:

Promoting mental well-being through sport

in 4 of us in the UK each year will experience some form of mental health problem! For some people mental health problems are mild and short-lived, for others they are severe and enduring... for all of us, regular engagement in sport can have a positive impact on our mental health.

coaches to help make athletics more open and accessible to people experiencing mental health conditions. This resource can be downloaded at:

“Depression robbed me of a normal life for 10 years, but when I joined Sport in Mind sessions they gave me the chance to play sport again and feel ‘normal’. I’ve heard people say ‘playing sport changed my life’, but for me Sport in Mind didn’t just change my life – they saved it!”

Sport in Mind has come from very humble beginnings, starting life as a small community group in Reading, Berkshire that ran a one hour weekly sports session for people experiencing mental health problems. The group proved hugely successful and Sport in Mind formed as a charity in order to satisfy the growing demand for their services. In 2011 they established a multi-sport mental well-being programme which received widespread acclaim for its effectiveness in helping to aid recovery, building self-esteem and combating social isolation.

Martin, 32, depression sufferer. Sport in Mind is an independent Berkshire based mental health charity that delivers sports sessions for people experiencing mental illness and is the leading UK advisor of mental well-being sports provision. Sport in Mind’s mission is to enhance the number of sporting opportunities available for people experiencing mental health problems and address the current inequality in our nation’s sports provision. Since 2013 Sport in Mind has been working closely with the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) to address this inequality and get more people experiencing mental health problems into sport. One of Sport in Mind’s key objectives is to raise awareness of mental health problems and they have recently produced a resource in partnership with England Athletics to provide guidance and support to clubs and

www.sportinmind.org/athletics.pdf

History of Sport in Mind

Sport in Mind’s reputation has continued to grow nationally since then and their services are highly sort after by organisations in the UK and abroad interested in working with them to replicate the programme they had established in Berkshire. Since 2012 Sport in Mind has worked in partnership with or provided their expertise to support in excess of 100 different organisations deliver mental well-being sports projects, including organisations such as the NHS, National Sports Governing Bodies, Professional Sports Teams, County Sports Partnerships, Local

and National Charities, Local Authorities, Schools, Colleges, Seats of Higher Learning and Community Projects.

Sport and Mental Well-Being Study June will see the release of Sport in Mind’s ‘Sport and Mental Well-Being Study 2014’, which explores the impact sport and physical activity has on people experiencing mental health problems. 1,023 people from across the country suffering various mental health conditions took part in the study, which is one of the largest of its kind ever produced. Some of the study’s key findings include how regular engagement in sport has been effective in reducing hospital admissions and helping people on the road to recovery. To coincide with the release of the ‘Sport and Mental Well-Being Study 2014’ Sport in Mind will be working in partnership with a number of organisations to deliver a football tournament for people experiencing mental health conditions to promote well-being, provide them with an opportunity to play football and most importantly thank them for taking part in the study.

For more information contact:

sportinmind.org

facebook.com/sportinmind twitter.com/sportinmind1

Breakaway Supported Holidays

Supported holidays in the UK and abroad for adults with learning disabilities

www.breakawayhols.co.uk

01245 260 330

Your chance to WIN a Well-Deserved Break for FREE ... with Enable Holidays â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the No.1 accessible holidays specialist for disabled people, their families and friends.

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Enable Holidays is well known for providing personally audited accessible holidays abroad, but did you know the company also offers adapted facilities in hotels and holiday parks in the UK?

To enter this fabulous competition, all you have to do is visit www. enableholidays.com/win during June and July 2014 and tell them why you (or someone you know) deserve to take a break.

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UK BREAKS TO BE WON! See our website for details

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UK YOUTH:

“

It was the best weekend away my family has ever had. Life in my family is challenging to say the least, but this weekend was a godsend the children were in their element, I have not met such nice and friendly staff, who are simply the best, they were so encouraging and friendly, I would definitely come back, in fact I have just booked another 2 trips?

”

ocated in the New Forest National Park, Avon Tyrrell is a special place with a very unique atmosphere. Open for day and residential visitors, we are perfect for families, groups and individuals.

For those looking for a relaxing break we have a choice of accommodation options and our location inside the National Park and less than 20 minutes from the sea means we have something for everyone. Onsite we offer an extensive range of exciting outdoor adventure activities and with a selection of specialist equipment, we can ensure everyone can participate. To find out more about how we can meet your needs, or to arrange a site visit, please contact us. Our trained and dedicated staff understand the challenges of coming away and can offer advice and support every step of the way. For more information visit: www.avontyrrell.org.uk

Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Activity Centre is an inclusive and accessible site for groups and individuals. With action and adventure breaks, we have opportunities and activities for everyone to enjoy in a safe environment.

. Lodges and Camping . Bike Hire and Tracks . Fishing Lakes Special Offer . Climbing £55pppn Full board accommodation . Zip Wire plus 2 activities . Canoeing Min 2 night stay . Archery Other offers and deals also available . Friendly Staff Quote ATMM00085 . Specialist Equipment . Advice and Support Bookings and Enquiries 01425 672347 info@ukyouth.org www.avontyrrell.org.uk

Bransgore, Hampshire, BH23 8EE UK Youth is a registered charity no. 1110590 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales no. 5402004

Vitalise:

Going beyond respite

italise is a charity that has been restoring happiness to the lives of people with disabilities and carers for over 50 years. Vitalise achieves this through the provision of high quality, affordable breaks with care at the charity’s three accessible centres in Essex, Southampton and Southport. Each centre provides 24-hour care on call from experienced nursing and care staff and the personal support and companionship of residential volunteers. But what sets Vitalise apart from other providers is that the charity does this in an informal, non-institutional and above all holiday environment, with a daily programme of excursions, activities and entertainment laid on. This innovative approach enables Vitalise to go far beyond conventional models of respite care. For people with disabilities and those who care for them, a regular break can make the difference between just existing and really living. That’s why, for thousands of people with disabilities and carers each year, Vitalise is a lifeline. In 2013 the charity provided nearly 5,000 accessible, affordable breaks to people in desperate need of respite. Providing subsidised short breaks with care is at the core of Vitalise’s activity. But what’s unique about Vitalise

is that the charity provides freedom and choice as well. Carefully selected activities and excursions, designed to stimulate and inspire, enable the charity’s guests to regain their vitality and confidence. For carers, the temporary relief from caring that Vitalise provides helps them restore their ability to cope and reconnect with their loved ones. The sheer range of experiences available is testament to Vitalise’s refusal to compromise when it comes to respite breaks. The charity’s guests this summer will have the opportunity to catch a West End show or take a jaunt across the channel to France; to have a spin on the London Eye or visit a majestic stately home. Inside the centres, the range of specially themed weeks spans anything from Murder Mystery, through Music Legends to the unbridled fun of Youth Weeks. For Vitalise’s guests, the world really is their oyster. Vitalise is now aiming to double its social impact by opening three new centres around the UK, such that every person with a disability and carer in the UK is within two hours’ travel of a Vitalise centre. For more information about Vitalise breaks, call 0303 303 0145 or visit www.vitalise.org.uk

We support you

solicitors

Amputee puts his best (bionic) foot forward with a little help from NewLaw. Jozef Metelka, a self-confessed adrenaline junkie from Oxford, became the first recipient in the UK of a cutting edge, bionic prosthetic foot. After losing his leg in a motorcycle accident in 2009, Jozef swore that it wouldn’t stop him fulfilling his sporting dreams. “As soon as I could get out of hospital I was back in the gym. My first prosthetic helped but it soon became apparent that, for me to continue my sporting lifestyle, I was going to need something more”. Hilton Obery, a Solictor at NewLaw, first met Jozef in April 2009 at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Jozef was alone in the country, with little or no understanding of what he should do next. NewLaw assisted by directing his case manager to the most relevant experts in their field and organised interim compensation payments for Jozef, allowing him to move to more appropriate accommodation. These interim payments

new-law.co.uk |

also enabled him to be the recipient of a rather special prosthetic.

The Team at NewLaw can also assist with:

In the summer of 2013 the 27 year old became the first recipient in Europe of the American BiOM power assisted ankle system, allowing him to walk faster, using less energy. This cutting edge technology isn’t cheap, £55,000 for the whole prosthesis, but with NewLaw’s help Jozef’s active lifestyle can continue.

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With 12 specially crafted prosthetic legs, Jozef has won a gold and two silver medals at the Para-Cycling Track World Championships in Mexico and become a professional ski instructor, but the BiOM foot remains his favourite. “It’s unlike any other design I have tried, and without NewLaw’s help, I wouldn’t be wearing it today”. Jozef is now looking forward to the next addition to his collection, a rollerblading leg!

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Personal injury claims Clinical negligence claims Employment advice Assisting families when someone loses capacity to deal with their affairs Preparing lasting Powers of Attorney Probate Establishing a Trust Tax Planning Paying for care

For more information on how NewLaw can support you, call Rob Thomas on 0333 321 7496, or email him on Robert.thomas@new-law.co.uk

Tel: 0333 321 7496