Category: A News

Two youngsters paddle a kayak across a pond.

Successful Summer of Fun Programme for Grampian Disability Sport

Grampian Disability Sport had a fantastic return to sport during the summer holidays, thanks to Summer of Play funding.

GDS was able to access just under £8,000 of the government funding thanks to a partnership between Live Life Aberdeenshire and Aberdeenshire ClubSport, which enabled their member clubs and organisations to apply for funding to run free of charge sports and activities for young people and families in Aberdeenshire.

After a surge in popularity of Scottish Disability Sport’s Summer Camp offering for youngsters aged 10 -17 with physical disabilities and sensory impairments, which was to be held at Lochter Activity Centre in Oldmeldrum, the funding enabled GDS to provide a further 7 half-day adventure camps at the site, which were opened up to youngsters with any disability aged 8-17 from Aberdeenshire, and their siblings and families.

Families had the opportunity to take part in a range of adventure activities including buggy driving, water zorbing, go karting, Segway, archery, kayaking and more! The environment was relaxed, staff were very flexible and went above and beyond to support the youngsters, and a total of 161 unique participants were involved across the 7 sessions.

Families commented that they wouldn’t ordinarily pay for this type of experience as they were concerned that their youngsters wouldn’t take part or wouldn’t manage, but seeing their children fully engage in the activities and gain confidence in their abilities changed their perceptions. It enabled parents and carers to meet other families and allowed their children to connect with their peers after lockdown.

They’re looking forward to hopefully offering a similar programme with Lochter during the Aberdeenshire Tatty Holidays.

If you (or someone you know) lives with a disability in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray or Shetland and wants to get involved in sport or physical activity, get in touch with Alison on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or call 07828744848.

Stephanie and Charis from Ability Shetland smile as they hold their MOR certificate towards the camera.

Ability Shetland Joins the SDS Family

We were delighted to announce at this year’s AGM and Awards that Ability Shetland has satisfied the criteria for our Minimum Operating Requirements and is now the 14th Branch to have joined Scottish Disability Sport.

Ability Shetland, and in particular, Stephanie Bain, has worked tirelessly over the last couple of years to get to where they are today, and it was a pleasure to be part of the partnership that established their development plan which aided them in securing funding from Shetland Charitable Trust and sportscotland’s Direct Club Investment for their very first Sports Development Coordinator post.

Ability Shetland and their partners were keen to develop more and better opportunities for people with disabilities across the Islands to get involved in sport and physical activity, and to better connect with clubs, athletes, competitions and pathways on the mainland. Stephanie has commented that they are already seeing the benefits of being a Branch with new athletes being supported, opportunities being developed and participants being invited to events on the mainland.

We are now delighted to work closely with Charis Scott, Ability Shetland’s Sports Development Coordinator, who has done a spectacular job so far in creating partnerships with clubs, developing a successful summer holiday programme, and engaging schools, participants and athletes in SDS events.

Well done to all at Ability Shetland.

If you (or someone you know) lives with a disability in Shetland and wants to get involved in sport or physical activity, get in touch with Alison on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or call 07828744848.

A young boy sitting in a kayak smiles at the camera.

Parasport Festival Returns to Grampian

On Friday 17th September, we saw the eagerly-anticipated return of the national Parasport Festival programme.

The Festival, which provides opportunities for school-aged pupils in mainstream education with physical disabilities and sensory impairments to try a range of specially-adapted sport and physical activity opportunities, returned to Grampian last month and was the first post-COVID Parasport Festival to take place.

Hosted at the well-equipped Aberdeen Sports Village, this year’s Festival featured a range of exciting sport and activity sessions including the debut of sitting volleyball and kayaking.

Extensive COVID measures were in place including the limiting of participant numbers and spectators, but this didn’t take away from the sheer joy that the youngsters and their families experienced whilst trying new activities and socialising with peers.

Rachael – mum to participant, Lucy – said of the day: “These days are a fantastic opportunity and are so good for the children on so many different levels, physically, socially and emotionally. It enables the children to participate in the sports in an environment that is inclusive, achievable and fun. Thank you so much for organising them. For me as a parent I love attending the days. Being part of the experience and being able to enjoy it with Lucy but also being able to stand back and watch her enjoying herself and what she is achieving. I also think it is beneficial to spend time with other parents and carers for the support you can give each other”.

In addition to providing opportunities for young people with disabilities, the Festival serves as an opportunity for coaches, teachers and activity leaders to gain hands-on experience of inclusive practice. This year, we were fortunate to be joined for the first time by over 50 first year Sports Coaching students from North East Scotland College. They spent time with the youngsters, engaging them in the different activities and providing concentrated support where needed. They also learned from the sport-specific coaches and were treated to a wheelchair basketball masterclass by Grampian Flyers Wheelchair Basketball Club Coach, Kirsty Smith.

Our next step is to continue to upskill the students and to signpost the participants into regular activity available locally to them.

A huge ‘thank you’ goes to all of the partners, clubs, organisations and individuals who supported the event, Corra Foundation for providing the funding to enable us to offer this event at no charge to the participants, and to the youngsters, parents and carers who came along and tried something new.

Roll on the 2022 event!

 

If you (or someone you know) live with a disability in Shetland, Moray, Aberdeenshire or Aberdeen City, and are keen to get involved in sport and physical activity, please email alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or call 07828744848.

Girls In Boccia

Come and Try Boccia – Scottish Women & Girls in Sport Week 2021

Come and try Boccia during Scottish Women & Girls in Sport Week

We have partnered with Scottish Women in Sport to deliver a Come and Try Boccia session for women and girls with physical, sensory or learning disabilities.

The event, which will run alongside the Boccia National Championships is focused on women and girls participation and will be a fun and educational introduction to the sport.

Event Details

Saturday 30 October 2021

1430-1600

[EN]GAGE Sports and Fitness Centre, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN

During the session, participants will;

  • Learn about the sport
  • Play the game
  • Speak to knowledgeable people
  • Find a club

Closing date for registrations Wednesday 27 October 2021

Register below   

 

 

 

Forth Valley Flyers Taster Session 2021

Forth Valley Flyers Athletics Club in partnership with Central AC, Forth Valley Disability Sport, Scottish Athletics, Scottish Disability Sport and Clackmannanshire Council hosted an athletics taster session at Lornshill Academy on Sunday 26th September 2021.

Qualified coaches and volunteers led 15 participants through a range of athletics disciplines including runs, jumps and throws.

The session was specially designed for children, young people and adults with physical, sensory and learning difficulties and gave a brief insight into the many events that you can participate in the sport of athletics. “This event brought individuals from the local area together to chat and have fun in a sport and activity that they enjoy. It was a great day and nice to see everyone interacting together and making new friends” – Graham Harvey, Branch Coordinator.

If you would like further information on disability sport classes or clubs which take place in your area please contact:

Please visit the FVDS website at fvds.org.uk and social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for ongoing information.

SDS supports development of the Daily Mile Inclusion Model

SDS is excited to be supporting the development of the Daily Mile Inclusion Model which provides a participant centered approach which will provide guidance to teachers, support staff and volunteers to include learners with disabilities in the Daily Mile.

The model currently being developed reinforces the message of inclusion that was promoted at the launch of the Daily Mile Partnership yesterday in Glasgow.

Catherine Goodfellow, Scottish Disability Sport Chairperson attended the launch and was delighted to see so many of the learners enjoying participating in the Daily Mile with World Champion Frame Runner Kayleigh Haggo.

The Daily Mile, supported by INEOS, has entered an exciting new partnership with the UK Athletics, Athletics Northern Ireland, England Athletics, Scottish Athletics and Welsh Athletics. These partnerships emphasise a shared commitment from the organisations across the UK, helping to demonstrate the important role that physical activity plays in the physical and mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.

The partnership was launched in a celebration between the two organisations. The union will help bring ambassadors together, from Olympic and Paralympic athletes to key people from the athletics community – inspiring both young people and teachers to get involved and become a part of The Daily Mile community.

The Daily Mile is a transformative initiative where children run, jog, wheel or walk for fifteen minutes every day. The initiative has enjoyed phenomenal success since it was started by Elaine Wyllie eight years ago when she was headteacher at a primary school in Stirling.

Elaine Wyllie MBE, founder of The Daily Mile has commented, ‘I’m delighted that we will be working together with UKA and the Home Nations. This is an exciting new partnership for The Daily Mile working with leading governing bodies to promote the physical and mental health benefits of The Daily Mile. I am particularly excited about a focus on inclusion and ensuring children with a disability are provided with the opportunity to participate. It is important to me that irrespective of age, ability or background The Daily Mile is accessible to all and is fun for all. This partnership will help us deliver this ambition.’

Sport and physical activity have an important role to play when discussing mental and physical wellbeing, both which have suffered immensely during the last 18 months. As the country continues to respond to the challenges and effects of the pandemic, and it’s crucial to appreciate the role of this in the long-term recovery of the virus.

Collaborative working is at the forefront of these partnerships. The bringing together of these teams will result in a greater focus on physical activity and sport, as part of a national initiative towards positive health and wellbeing for primary aged children.

Inclusivity and accessibility has always been at the heart of The Daily Mile – getting young people involved regardless of ability. The partnership is committed to supporting schools and teachers in providing opportunities for children with a disability to participate, so ensure they’re able to enjoy all of the benefits of physical activity. The focus is always on the child’s ability, and appropriate adjustments or modifications can be made to ensure a positive experience. For more information on The Daily Mile and this partnership, please visit: www.thedailymile.co.uk.

If you or anyone you know would like to know more about opportunities to participate or volunteer in, please telephone 0131 317 1130 or alternatively email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com

Inclusive Bowls Session held at Haddington BC

Lothian Disability Sport work closely with Haddington Bowling Club to offer a taster session, targeting participants with disabilities to provide an opportunity to try lawn bowls at the East Lothian club on Sunday 19th September.

Twelve participants were able to try the sport on the day and they were supported by club members and coaches Billy Mellors, Karen & Colin Dick. In addition to the local coaches, experienced para bowls coach Ron McArthur supported on the day alongside Ian Graham from the Scottish Blind Bowlers of Scotland (VIBS) who was on hand to provide his expertise to the participants with a visual impairment. Further support was provided to the Lothian bowlers by Jacqueline and James Keir who were king enough to travel East to lend a helping hand on the day.

This partnership is looking to develop opportunities for bowlers with disabilities in the East Lothian area, potentially linking with East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club for further inclusive opportunities during the upcoming winter months. Ron McArthur commented on the quality of bowling, stating ‘there was evidence of real potential’ from the players who attended, and we hope this can be developed in the coming months. Both Scottish Disability Sport and Bowls Scotland

The club are planning on hosting another taster session for participants with disabilities this coming Sunday (26th September) between 12noon and 2pm. To register for the event please click here.

If you are interested in accessing this opportunity or would like to find out more then please contact Lothian Disability Sport Development Officer Jack Brodie on admin@lothiandisabilitysport.co.uk or 07885 549173.

Free Wheelchair Skills Sessions

Go Kids Go are running Wheelchair Skills Sessions across Scotland in October.

This is a great chance to learn skills to help you become more independent. Manual or powered wheelchair users welcome, extra wheelchairs provided for family members to participate.

Young people from 2 years upwards welcome!

Small groups – Covid secure setting.

Free Tandem Cycling sessions now available throughout the West of Scotland

UK have recently launched In Tandem, an exciting new pilot project that aims to give people with a visual impairment more opportunities to experience the joys and benefits of cycling.

Cycling with a visual impairment is entirely possible, all that is needed is a tandem bike and a sighted person to ride in front.

To help develop new activities Cycling UK would like to offer free tandem try out sessions across the West of Scotland to both Vision Impaired and sighted people. Training and rides can be delivered during the week or at weekends locally throughout the West of Scotland and we’d like to encourage all curious people, of all experience levels, to get in touch.

If you, or someone you know, would be interested in joining a session or would like to know more about the project then please get in touch with Andrew.campbell@cyclinguk.org