Summary
The project aimed to provide a family sports activity session at the Academy of Sport & Wellbeing in Perth for children with a disability and their families. A trampoline and badminton equipment was purchased to provide much need rebound therapy. Training was provided to our volunteers
What Academy of Sport and Wellbeing did
I believe 5 or 6 family days were delivered at the Academy of sport and wellbeing, UHI in Perth on Saturday mornings before the PKDS branch manager left her role. 11 carers and 13 children with a disability benefited from this.
Since our branch manager left, the Saturday morning sessions have stopped and the trampoline has been relocated to Fairview ASN school in Perth. Now over 80 children benefit from regular rebound therapy and we are now working in partnership with SHIP and Fairview to deliver an after- school sports club where parents and carers can leave their children and get some respite for 1 hour every Monday. Coaches are sourced from local sports clubs to come in and deliver the sports session with a view for the children to attend further club opportunities throughout the week giving parents and carers more respite time. The sports and coaches are changed every 6 weeks. Training is also being provided for volunteers to sustain this club going forward.
What Perth and Kinross Disability Sport has learned
PKDS have been able to better engage with key organisations that will assist further in the delivery of coherent opportunities for youngsters with a disability in the Perth & Kinross area. The local school that is the primary educational establishment for youngsters with severe and complex disabilities and in turn have a better relationship with their parents and carers and also the Academy of Sport & Wellbeing which will provide a mutually beneficial arrangement to the betterment of sport and physical activity provision in the area, providing venue and workforce provision. PKDS have been able to raise awareness of PKDS to parents and carers of youngsters with a disability and offer them a effective route to physical activity and sport and all the benefits that this brings. Pathways to sustained participation and opportunities for these youngsters will provide increased respite to the carers and parents.
How Perth and Kinross Disability Sport has benefitted from the funding
The funding has allowed us to purchase new equipment and develop close links with families and the Academy of Sport and Wellbeing. Volunteers have been trained on rebound therapy and we intend to train more staff at Fairview school to continue to deliver this valuable activity to the children. We will also be paying for court costs going forward for the badminton sessions to ensure all equipment purchased will continue to be used.
Our relationship with the Academy of Sport and Wellbeing has continued to grow and I have organised a number of disability sport events and sessions there through this relationship.
I am also working with the college to recruit and provide disability inclusion training and disability specific sport training to students to help with the legacy of the better breaks funding
Project Outcomes
Outcome
Approximately 18 children and young people and their siblings will be participating in a 2 hour monthly sports session specific to their needs and be enjoying the associated health and social benefits of the session
Results
The project started very well and was popular with children, parents and carers. Although the opportunity has now moved to Fairview, this is still allowing us to re-energise the outcome and children are now taking part in four one- hour sports sessions a month whilst their parents and carers are free to use that time for themselves. This opportunity is now open to the wider public and not just exclusively for Fairview pupils and their parents/carers.
The rebound therapy sessions at Fairview ASN school has allowed up to 80 children with varying disabilities to be able to use the trampoline daily for the time they need which they really enjoy as well as benefiting their strength and conditioning. The after- school sports club currently benefits 12 children with plans to expand this in the future.
Case study
Unfortunately as I have only been involved with PKDS for a few months and the family sessions finished 4 months before I started as branch coordinator there is no existing case study completed.
Outcome
Approximately 18 children/young people and their siblings will be coached in trampolining beyond rebound therapy which we currently offer and receive consistent coaching in the sport of badminton
Results
As described, the trampoline is now being used weekly at Fairview school. We have also included badminton in our weekly sports club at Fairview and have plans to start a weekly disability badminton session at the academy of sport and Wellbeing working with Glenearn Badminton Club and Badminton Scotland. We will be paying for the court hire and coaches to support this along with providing inclusive badminton training for their coaches and volunteers
Case study
Unfortunately as I have only been involved with PKDS for a few months and the family sessions finished 4 months before I started as branch coordinator there is no existing case study completed.