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Active Ability breaks down barriers to sport

10 February 2009

Sports coaches are leading a new programme of activities – including table tennis, badminton, swimming and chair-based exercises – at leisure centres across the area as part of the newly-launched Active Ability project.

Designed to give disabled people easier access to local leisure facilities, the initiative was set up after consultation with residents showed there can be significant barriers to this - including access to and layout of sports venues, too little information about what’s on offer, other people's attitudes and a lack of confidence to try new activities.

The sessions, which are currently being run at Sharley Park Leisure Centre in Clay Cross, Killamarsh Sports Centre and Queen’s Park Sports Centre in Chesterfield – with more venues to follow - aim to break down these barriers.

The project is funded and supported North East Derbyshire District Council and Chesterfield Borough Council, alongside partners including Sport England, Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Derbyshire Sport.

Councillor Graham Baxter, Leader of North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC), said: “One of the Council’s key priorities is to help all of our residents lead active and healthier lives.

“We were aware that some disabled people felt there were barriers to accessing sport and leisure facilities, and we have looked at ways of breaking down those barriers.

“Active Ability is a great way for new people to get involved in sport.”

More disabled people will also be encouraged to get involved in the organisation of sport and recreation, by being part of the project’s steering group.

Their views will contribute to, and influence the work of both the Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Community Sport Network and the Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Disability Sport Forum.

Mandy Nichol, 39, from Hasland, was the first member of the Active Ability Club, and spoke at the official launch of the project last month.

She said the project had created new opportunities for those who do not normally use leisure centres, adding: “Before Active Ability, it was a bit daunting to get involved in sports. You didn’t know if the leisure centre can accommodate you, and there are confidence issues around this kind of activity.

“Now I’ve started playing table tennis, which I really enjoy, and I am taking part in weekly sessions at Queen’s Park.

“Some disabled people may still be a little scared of trying new sports, but the coaches and sessions are really good and designed with beginners in mind. This really is a great opportunity to learn something new, meet new friends and have fun at the same time!”

The Active Ability sessions include:

• Swimming and chair-based exercise at Sharley Park in Clay Cross
• Table tennis and badminton at Queen’s Park
• Chair-based exercise at Killamarsh Sports Centre

New activities are now being planned for the leisure centres at Dronfield, Eckington and Staveley.

To find out more about the Active Ability scheme contact Shaun Marples, Disability Sports Worker, on 07854 882123 or Sue O’Donnell, North East Derbyshire District Council’s Active and Healthy Lifestyles Development Officer, on 01246 217017.

Pictured: Back row left to right: Graham Baxter, Leader of NEDDC; Andrew Milroy, from Derbyshire County Council; Jackie King Owen, from Enable; Catherine Slater from Derbyshire Sport; Steve Pintus from Derbyshire County PCT; Shaun Marples from NEDDC; Keith Lomas from Chesterfield Borough Council.

Front (L-R): Mandy Nichols, Active Ability member and Alex Jewitt, local paralympian