Wednesday March 10, 2010Sporting and Recreational Activities

Foresight aims to take the ‘Dis’ out of ‘Disability’ by widening access to sport and active recreation for sensory impaired and physically disabled people, their carers, family members and friends residing in North East Lincolnshire. The project funded by Sport England will increase sporting opportunities for disabled people within North East Lincolnshire and address the barriers to accessing sport and active recreation proving that disability is not a barrier to participation. The project will also build strong partnerships between community, sport and education and increase the use of community facilities and provide new routes into sport and active recreation for disabled people.

77.6% of disabled people residing in North East Lincolnshire are not accessing any form of sport or active recreation. This is compounded by the fact that there is no co-ordinated approach to the delivery of sport for disabled people and in particular there is no real provision from voluntary and community sector groups many of whom have access to disabled people on a daily basis. After undertaking research with disabled groups the results show that many people would like to access sport and active recreation but are unable to do so for various reasons, these include lack of available activity/sport specifically developed and designed for disabled people, difficulty with accessing the activity, not comfortable with the environment and lack of awareness of opportunities. Foresight are addressing all these issues to enable people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in sport and active recreation which in turn will build confidence, combat isolation and lead to a healthier lifestyle.

By expanding the range of sporting and active recreational opportunities available Foresight is offering disabled people more choice of what activity they would like to try. By focusing on what people can do we are promoting independence and assisting individuals to develop to their full potential.

All sporting and recreational activities available through Foresight are delivered at the centre, other community venues and sporting clubs within North East Lincolnshire and the surrounding areas. Qualified instructors / coaches facilitate at all the activities and where necessary the event or equipment used has been adapted to accommodate a specific disability.

The benefits of participating in sports and active recreation are numerous and diverse:

• Contributes to health and physical well being
• Promotes self esteem
• Improves quality of life
• Enables and promotes social interaction
• Encourages creativity and personal development Provides opportunities for new experiences.

Current activities being offered are as follows:- Golf at Swingtime, Fishing at Holton-le Clay, Archery at Kirby Moor Trackside, Gliding at Strubby airfield, Ten pin bowling at Cleethorpes bowling alley, Tai Chi at the Foresight centre, Gentle keep fit to music at the Foresight centre, Rifle shooting at Keelby gun club, Line dancing at the Foresight centre, Ballroom dancing at the Foresight centre, Sailing at Covenham Reservoir, Botcha and New Age Kurling at the Foresight centre, Swimming at Grimsby Leisure Centre, Cycling using specially adapted bikes and Health walking starting from Grimsby Leisure Centre.