A new scheme will give young people with disabilities more leisure opportunities than ever before.
“Leisure for All” was officially launched on Friday (April 25th) at Haigh Hall.
The initiative will give young people with disabilities the opportunity to take part in hundreds of sports, arts, and cultural activities. A pilot run of the project has included rugby, multi sports and pottery sessions.
Until now it has been difficult for young people with disabilities to take part in mainstream leisure activities, as activity leaders often don’t have the skills or resources to meet the individual needs of each child.
Leisure for All will see a full-time paid activities lead, three part-time staff and a number of volunteers give specialist support to around 30 young people with disabilities each week to enable them to get involved in all kinds of activities throughout the year.
An events calendar, including opportunities like dragon boating, swimming, multi-sports and a walking group has been produced to let parents and carers know what young people can get involved in through the scheme. The calendar will now be finalised and distributed following consultation with parents and carers at the launch on Friday.
Leisure for All is co-ordinated and funded by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, Wigan Council Children & Young People’s Services (CYPS) and the Wigan Children’s Fund.
Kelly Piper, from the CYPS Children With Complex Needs Team, said:
“This is very much a partnership project with services across the borough providing activities. The scheme will break down barriers between able bodied young people and children with disabilities.
“There is definitely a need for this. We ran a number of taster sessions during the Easter school holidays and all the activities were very well attended. A real effort has been made to get Leisure for All up and running and I’d like to congratulate everyone involved.”
For further information about Leisure for All contact Kim Bolton, Leisure for All Activities Lead, on (01942) 481180.
