|
Michele Hall’s son Matthew enjoys football and numerous other sports through Babergh District Council’s Be Active project at Hillside Special School in Sudbury.
Matthew, who is 14, has Worster Drought Syndrome - a mild form of cerebral palsy that affects his muscles. Matthew also has moderate learning disabilities and is unable to communicate through speech. But through Be Active he has the opportunity to play numerous sports including basketball, volleyball, athletics and ‘zone hockey’ – a version of hockey for those with special needs – and has increased his mobility and communication skills as a result.
Michele said: “ I agreed to become Patron of Be Active to give something back to the community and to encourage other people with children like Matthew. Also, I wanted to help the project itself, since it has given my son a chance to enjoy sport. I’m keen to get the message to people that there are things out there if you want them.”
Earlier this year Be Active scooped a prestigious Government ‘Beacon Award’ in the category of ‘Culture and Sport for Hard-to-Reach Groups’. The Hall family – including mum Michele and dad Ian - were instrumental in helping Be Active secure the award, by telling officials how the project has helped their son and other children in the community.
Be Active began in 2002 and has since expanded to offer over 100 activity courses for both residents with disabilities and youngsters who may be at risk of sliding into anti-social behaviour and crime.
The overall aim of each of the courses is to help participants gain new confidence, learn new skills and channel their energies and enthusiasm in a positive direction.
Michele said: “These new opportunities are important to Matthew because through sport he has met other children with special needs, and competed at the sports days alongside mainstream children. Also we get to meet other parents. Mixing with others has given Matthew confidence. Before he didn’t really see many people – but he is now learning to communicate better and has grown up a lot.”
However, Michele has set her sights on improving disability sports provision and already has some ideas to help achieve this: “Local opportunities can be improved by having more things for the older youngsters. Once you are 16 there isn't much to do. Some older people have told me there isn't anything for their children past this age.”
Greg Cooper, Community Development Officer (Leisure Inclusion) at Babergh District Council, said: “Michele’s input as Patron of Be Active is invaluable to the project and the district. We have a vision that Babergh should be encouraging inclusive communities, which are built around active citizenship. Michele is helping Be Active achieve this vision - and in doing so is encouraging others to achieve and develop to their full potential.”
Michele will be helping Be Active reach a wider community through the Babergh Disability Sport & Leisure Forum and would like to hear from anyone who feels they may benefit from its support. Please email greg.cooper@babergh.gov.uk or call (01473) 826656 for details.
More information on Babergh Be Active.
|