Richard Luscombe Today we proudly support International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
This day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights, and wellbeing of persons with disabilities.
Crucially, it seeks to raise awareness around making political, social, economic, and cultural life accessible for disabled people.
This year’s theme is ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.’
This means that people with different disabilities can learn to be leaders in a supportive and inclusive environment.
At Argyle Community Trust, we want to celebrate this day and its importance.
The Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund awarded the Trust a £10,000 grant for adult health and disability programmes at The Hub at Foulston Park back in March this year.
This funding has and continues to make a massive difference and supports the amazing work we are able to provide for people with disabilities, whether physical, mental, or learning.
We currently hold Junior Ability Counts sessions for children aged 5-16 with disabilities enabling them to play and train in a fun and inclusive environment. These sessions run on Mondays, 5pm to 6pm at Manadon Sports and Community Hub, and Fridays 5.30pm to 6.30pm at Ivybridge Community College. Sessions are priced at £1 and £2 per session respectively during term time.
Additionally, we run Adult Ability Counts sessions for those over 16 with a disability. Participants can turn up and play for £3 on a Wednesday from 7:30pm to 9pm at Manadon Sports and Community Hub.
The Trust is committed to removing barriers to participation in football for all ensuring we provide access to the beautiful game which is why we host Powerchair football sessions for wheelchair users every Saturday.
These sessions run every other week at Plympton Academy from 12pm to 2pm at a cost of £10 per session.
Stewart Walbridge, Head of Participation, said: “The activities that we deliver allow us to engage with all community groups and provide equal opportunities to children and adults with a variety of disabilities such as visual impairments, hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, and down syndrome.”
“We’re always looking for new initiatives and funding opportunities to engage wider groups.
“People can get involved by getting in touch through our website which shows all of the activities that we have running alternatively they can get in touch with stewart.walbridge@pafc.co.uk.”
