A new series of videos have been produced to highlight the many opportunities for disabled people to take part in sport and physical activity across Shropshire.
The videos, made by the Inclusively Fit Project with support from the Big Lottery Fund, highlight cycling, sailing, rowing, and community games.
They were launched at a meeting of Shropshire Disability Networks, held at Caseys in Donnington, Telford.
Jessica Lightwood, Shropshire Inclusion Officer for the Inclusively Fit Project, said: “We want to show that clubs in Shropshire are full of welcoming, positive people who volunteer their time to help however they can.
“These videos are all about encouraging people to believe in themselves, achieve their goals, and inspire others to follow in their footsteps – whatever their age or ability.
“The hope is that they will help develop confidence and a greater understanding of the opportunities which are right on people’s doorsteps, at local clubs and groups,” said Jessica, who is based at county sports partnership Energize in Shrewsbury.
In one video, Rebecca Hewitt at Pengwern Boat Club shares her experience of para-rowing. “It helps with fitness – it’s one of the few times when I can really get my heart and lung pumping away, and it’s really good to feel like that,” she says.
“It’s benefited my life enormously – it’s made my life happier because I do this recreation that I love.”
In another, James Griffiths, a visually impaired cyclist from the Sight Loss Opportunities group at Shropshire Rural Communities Charity, explains how adaptive cycling sessions at Shrewsbury Sports Village make a huge difference to his life.
“It’s nice to be independent and free – that’s how I feel,” says James. “It shows people what I can do. I don’t look on the negative side.”
Paul Devey, the head coach of Telford Sailability, talks in the third video about seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they get chance to step onto a boat at Priorslee lake.
“They really love the experience of learning something on their own. They’re learning a good skill.
“We have people with cerebral palsy, and people who can’t see, who sail perfectly well on the lake. We also have people in their 80s, including an ex-sailor who thought his sailing days were over.”
The fourth video reveals how a community games event in the Oswestry area embraces a wide range of inclusive activities.
Local wheelchair basketball star Mark Fosbrook, from the English Federation of Disability Sport, says: “Clubs have a bit of fear and uncertainty thinking – can we actually cater for a range of different impairments?
“But they don’t need to be scared – it’s about having fun and enjoyment, and getting people engaged in your activity.
“The Inclusively Fit Project, and the whole of the Oswestry Community Games, has been fantastic. It’s a chance for disabled and non-disabled people to come and have a go at a sport and physical activity, and just try out new opportunities to see what they may like for the future.”