By William Moncrieff, Communications Officer
Grace Lawther joins the Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) team, taking up the role of the Young Persons’ Sport Panel (YPSP) Administrator.
“I am really looking forward to everything from an insights point of view, getting to understand how the organisation runs and gaining an understanding of what everyone does,” said Grace.
Grace steps in to the role as a current member of SDS’s YPSP, a position she has held for the previous two years and one that she has thoroughly enjoyed.
“When we go down to Inverclyde (for the YPSP residential) and spend a weekend there, that is a real highlight. It is very nice to spend time in person. We don’t get that often as the panel is made up of people from all over Scotland,” she explained.
“It is also a very independent experience. When I first went down to the residential I hadn’t spent a night away without them (her parents) and so I was very independent however, I knew I was going to be supported a lot throughout,” Grace commented.
Grace’s time on the panel definitely influenced her decision to apply for the administrator role.
“I just felt like I had a lot to offer. It’s a lot better when someone has been on the panel, they really understand everything from both perspectives,” Grace said.
With the current cohort of YPSP panel members having started their third and final year on the panel, Grace feels like there is a fantastic opportunity waiting to be grasped.
“It feels like there is a lot to be done, everyone is really excited as we are stepping into our third year.”
With this opportunity, Grace wants everyone on the panel to be able to look back fondly. She said, “I want everybody to be able to leave with really positive memories.”
On top of making sure that all panel members continue to have a positive final year, Grace would love to encourage and support panel members to be able to stay involved in disability sport throughout Scotland.
“The YPSP is such a great experience and I would like people to stay involved, whether it is in their local areas or with SDS,” she explained.
Grace has also really enjoyed the social aspect of being a panel member. She said, “It is very exciting, as I do feel like I am going to know these people for a very long time.”
Grace continued to explain that she is extremely grateful for this. After seeing how long these friendships can last for.
“The first time I went to SDS’s Branch Conference and Annual General Meeting, Laura Pilkington and Grace Stirling (both former YPSP members) were there and they were both just sitting and chatting. I can remember thinking, it would be really nice if I can make some friends like that,” said Grace.
As well as the panel impacting Grace socially, she feels like being on the YPSP has helped her develop many skills.
“I joined the panel when I was 18, it just gave me so much confidence. SDS just really showed that people care and want to listen to what you have to say.”
Grace believes that some of the experiences as a panel member, have helped her confidence: “Outside of the residential, my favourite part of being on the panel has to have been getting to deliver some talks with SDS,” said Grace.
A particular project that members of the YPSP have been working on has been completing Euan’s Guide reviews for sport facilities, including the Inverclyde sport center. This is a task that both SDS and the YPSP are passionate about for its purpose is to increase reviews of sport facilities to accurately inform and reassure individuals with disabilities which facilities within their areas are accessible.
This is a particular project that Grace is looking forward to progressing with over the coming year. She said, “I am really looking to help people on the panel to start to do this.”
If you are interested in finding out more about Euan’s Guide, you can do so by visiting their website.
To find out how you can get involved in disability sport throughout your area as a participant, coach, official or volunteer, contact your Regional Development Manager.
To keep up to date with all things disability sport across Scotland, follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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