Sports programme for young people with disabilities launches in Scotland

Young people with disabilities in Scotland will have the opportunity to take part in exciting new sports activities thanks to the launch of Leonard Cheshire’s Can Do Sport programme.
The innovative programme has been granted £10,000 from the Year of Young People National Lottery Fund to enable more than a hundred young people with disabilities to access sport related volunteering opportunities.

Can Do Sport will work with 120 young people under the age of 26 with disabilities or additional support needs across Dumfries, Edinburgh, Fife and Glasgow. The community-based sports opportunities – launching from this autumn – will help young people gain new life skills and build self-confidence.

The programme will harness the potential of sport to tackle inactivity amongst young people with disabilities whilst improving their mental wellbeing, breaking down barriers to their participation in sport and making a real, positive difference to their lives. Can Do Sport volunteers will shape the programme and will drive positive change for people with disabilities in their local communities.

Can Do Sport volunteers will attain a prestigious SQA Personal Achievement Gold Award – helping young people to pursue further volunteering, training or employment opportunities in the future.

Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Seona Reid, said: “I am delighted that Leonard Cheshire in Scotland has been successful in securing an award from the Year of Young People National Lottery Fund.

This funding will help young people to make a positive change in their lives and I wish Leonard Cheshire in Scotland every success as it works to improve young people’s health and wellbeing in celebration of Scotland’s Year of Young People.”

Leonard Cheshire in Scotland’s Director Stuart Robertson said: “Thanks to the Year of Young People National Lottery Fund, over a hundred young people across Scotland will benefit from sport related volunteering opportunities at the heart of their communities. Can Do Sport will be a significant opportunity for young people with disabilities to develop new skills whilst positively engaging with their local communities.”

 

Picture: Joel Goodman