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Taster sessions to get
disabled people active
LIVERPOOL adults with disabilities are
being encouraged to get sporty at a special free event taking place on Monday,
13 April 2015.
From 10.30am to 3pm, Archbishop Beck Sports College will play host to a series
of taster sessions so people can try out a number of different sports including
tennis, wheelchair rugby, cricket, Zumba, netball and karate.
The initiative is part of the:- 'Active Me' programme which aims
to open up opportunities for adults with disabilities to get involved in a range
of sporting activities. The scheme was set up 18 months ago and already has 300
members who take part in weekly sessions.
On Monday, the activities will be delivered by experienced and accredited
coaches and throughout the event, assistants and volunteers will be on hand to
help out. They will also be joined by Sports Buddies who have been specifically
recruited as part of the initiative to offer initial support to anyone taking up
a sport for the 1st time.
Anyone who would like to take part must register at Archbishop Beck Sports
College (55 Long Lane) by 10.15am.
Liverpool City Council's Inclusive Sports Manager Michelle Messom, said:-
"We're delighted with the take up of the Active Me programme so far, but we want
to make sure we reach as many adults in our disabled community as possible, and
these come and try sessions are the perfect way to do this. Some people may
never have taken up a sport before, or they haven't been active for several
years so don't have the confidence to join in. The aim of the taster sessions is
to build people's confidence and show, not only the physical benefits of getting
fitter, but also highlight the social side of taking up a sport; being part of a
team and making new friends can do wonders for a person's health and wellbeing."
Figures show that only 22.6% of people; that is around 3,200; living in
Liverpool with a limiting disability are involved in physical exercise once a
week.
The aim of the Active Me programme is to inspire and motivate disabled people to
take up a sport or physical activity such as athletics, dance, badminton and
swimming.
There are currently 22 sessions each week taking place at a variety of centres
including Lifestyles Ellergreen, Garston, Peter Lloyd, Walton, Wavertree
Aquatics Centre, Austin Rawlinson, Dovecot Mac and Bradbury Fields VI Centre.
A team of 'Activators' are on
hand to give 1 on 1 support to participants interested in accessing a particular
sport, building their confidence and being on hand to give them advice and help
them become as sporty as possible.
To make sure the initiative is as accessible as possible, each session will cost
just £2 and the 1st session is free. The programme is funded by a £330,000 Sport
England Inclusive Sport fund. For more details about Active Me, contact Michelle
Messom on:- 07545200317.
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