Matthew Blissett from Glenrothes is a young DSF (SCIO) member who has benefited enormously from GOGA in Fife, supported by Spirit of 2012 Matthew works part time for Fife Council and over the past couple of years has signed up for a range of GOGA inspired inclusive active recreation sessions.
Matthew was one of the first members to take advantage of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust Leisure Active card that now includes DSF weekly sessions run in FSLT facilities. Matthew appreciates that signing up for additional classes means that he does not have to pay any more now that he has a Leisure Active card. His most recent commitments are to inclusive hydro spin sessions on Monday with Megan and Friday with Debbie.
Matthew attends GOGA supported Wednesday 11 30 swimming session for adult improvers with additional support needs led by Kathy and Kirsteen. As well as being influenced by GOGA and supported by Spirit of 2012, the session has grown in popularity over the past year in particular. This has enabled an additional coach to be taken on board and the session to run throughout the year, including holiday periods.
Matthew is one of a number of DSF members to sign up for lawn bowls atDovecot Park Bowling Club in Glenrothes. Inspired by coach Mike Mowat the club has blossomed into one of the most inclusive in Fife. Participants with additional support needs can now access separate sessions or join in inclusively with everything this ambitious local bowls club has to offer. The club offers coaching and entry into club and Fife wide competitions. Over the past couple of years Matthew has entered for DSF indoor, outdoor and carpet bowls competitions as a result of his experiences at the Dovecot BC.
Matthew is now also attending Thursday multi sports and GOGA in Fife is keen that he becomes a peer mentor volunteer in 2020. GOGA in Fife hopes he will soon sign up for Monday evening inclusive badminton sessions but working hours currently make this very difficult.
Matthew has also signed up for the GOGA in Fife Paths for All 12 week walking challenge, using his own phone and Paths for All diary. When I checked his diary last he was comfortably recording eight miles daily between his work and full on engagement in inclusive active recreation sessions inspired by GOGA and supported by Spirit of 2012. Matthew is a popular young man, a true DSF role model and great asset to the Fife programme. GOGA in Fife supported by Spirit of 2012 is making such a difference to so many participants with additional support needs in Fife.
Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees