Active Summer Fun: 'People can be themselves, be who they are'
A new participation campaign created by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) and National Disability Sport Organisations (NDSOs) is encouraging more disabled people to find out and play out over summer. Active Summer Fun -#ActiveSummerFun on social media - is an exciting new campaign that aims to support more disabled people to find ways to be active during the warmer months.
This summer we will be talking to various disabled people or those who deliver activities that include disabled people. We hear how they are expecting the next few months to be very busy!
Today, Rachel Allen, a support worker for Mencap in Nottinghamshire, talks to us. She tells us about devising new activities and putting together a jokebook.
Rachel’s Active Summer Fun:
Friday Friends is a group for anybody with a learning disability – it is held at Trinity Church in Long Eaton, and it’s been running for years and years.
People come and gather together for a coffee and a chat, and to take part in different types of activities.
The activities are quite varied, and can be anything from 10-pin bowling (which is very popular) to visiting a local garden centre. Recently, we have been encouraging more exercise within the group.
We tried out cheerleading a couple of weeks ago – it was absolutely fantastic – and we ran a sports day earlier this month. It was a traditional-style event, with an egg-and-spoon race, hula-hoops, balancing books of head and running.
We have to be mindful of everyone’s mixed abilities, so the activities had to be suitable for everybody. It was a busy day, six activities and a fantastic time - 31 people attended, between the ages of 19 and 79.
On a regular club night roughly 15 people will attend. We are trying to build the group up and revamp it a little, by introducing more activities and attracting more younger members.
The impact it can make is really moving, seeing people enjoying themselves as much as they do. People can be themselves, be who they are. It’s just so lovely for everyone to get together with their friends and have a laugh and a giggle with the support in a session. Members can talk amongst themselves and have fun.
After our recent cheerleading session everyone was absolutely buzzing. Everyone wanted to know when they could do it again, so I immediately booked another session for 7 November. It’ll be at the local leisure centre, cheerleading in the morning then an afternoon of disability football.
The physical activity that we help to provide keeps out members healthy. It shows them that things are possible, that a fulfilled life is possible.
Friday Friends is just something different. We are trying to promote healthier lifestyles and diets. Some members grew up and went to school together, but we do get new members and when they arrive they find the atmosphere so welcoming.
We recently produced a joke book, which is an amazing experience. Everyone is always telling jokes, so we just put a little book together which I printed. It’s full of our members’ photos and jokes – fantastic.
Here’s my favourite, absolutely corking. To me, it’s hilarious:
Two packets of crisps are walking down the street. A taxi pulls up and asks them if the crisp packets would like a lift.
“No thanks,” says one. “We’re Walkers.”
Find out more about Active Summer Fun. Find out and play out this summer. English Learning Disability Sport Alliance (ELDSA) is a partnership between two NDSOs, Mencap Sport and Special Olympics GB. Who work together to promote sport and physical activity opportunities for people with a learning disability.
