Young students with additional support needs from Edinburgh College will be able to access specialist outdoor gym equipment to promote healthy living and stress relief thanks to Leonard Cheshire in Scotland’s Can Do Sport programme.
The Can Do group at Edinburgh College were tasked with promoting healthy living and the benefits that the accessible equipment will bring to the college. Participants demonstrated keen involvement in staying healthy and embracing the outdoors through fitness.
Recent activity from participants saw individuals partaking in healthy living projects, particularly focusing on mental wellbeing with the aid of Tai chi.
The Can Do Sport programme has helped break down barriers of young disabled people, allowing their participation in sport to make a positive difference to their lives and people in the local community.
Participants of the Can Do programme assisted in the consultation of implementing accessible gym equipment into Edinburgh College’s Milton Road campus, including Tai chi discs. This project allowed Can Doers to put forward ideas and select pieces of kit, while becoming involved with the design and installation of the equipment.
Joseph Cox, an Edinburgh Can Doer, said: “I really enjoyed making designs on the computer and learning about Tai chi balance and relaxation. The Tai chi area is going to look awesome because of my designs.”
The innovative programme has used year-long £10,000 funding from the Year of Young People National Fund to allow individuals to build new skills and self-confidence, as well as participate in a range of sporting activities, including climbing, dancing and triathlons across Scotland.
Vicki Hall, Can Do Coordinator for Edinburgh, said: “What a wonderful group of young people to work with for my first Can Do Building Communities project.
“Every single Can Doer has pushed themselves just that little bit out of their comfort zone and have more belief. They have made a creative contribution to their college community and increased their skills base too.”
Edinburgh College Head of Faculty for Health, Wellbeing and Social Science, Anne-Marie Sturrock, said: “Our students have really enjoyed working on the Can Do Communities project and learning all about the benefits of Tai Chi in partnership with Leonard Cheshire in Scotland.
“This is a fantastic project, and the installation of this new equipment will benefit students for years to come.”
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