YMCA Plymouth is looking for partners to get involved and help shape the future of Plymouth’s disability sport provision.
In 2013 YMCA Plymouth founded its ‘YMCA Inclusive’ disability project with the aim of improving sporting opportunities for young people with additional needs.
Since then, the club has expanded to over six inclusive sport clubs running 22 sessions a week and reaching hundreds of local young people who would otherwise be less able to access sport.
According to YMCA Plymouth, much of the project’s success has been down to its many partnerships with local organisations, something which the charity says is key to shaping the future landscape of disability sport in the city.
Managing director Andrew Robertson said:
“We’re proud of how our inclusive sport provision has grown in the last few years, but this wouldn’t have been possible without the help of other organisations we work with. We’re really excited for the future and want to broaden the opportunities that we offer, but this can only happen by bringing in more people from the community.”
The YMCA Inclusive project receives no local or national government funding but is sustained by donations to the charity, as well as grants through the Coop community fund and food manufacturer Samworth Brothers’ ‘Sport Opportunity Fund’.
the charity has bold ambitions by working with its current partners and is now seeking more people to get involved
Samworth Brothers, parent company of Ginsters, has provided the club with a three-year grant from their Sport Opportunity Fund since 2017. The funding has helped buy specialist equipment and take the inclusive sessions on a roadshow throughout locations in South East Cornwall. A Samworth Brothers spokesman said:
“We believe in supporting the social and economic development of communities by helping young people develop confidence, self-esteem and better life skills through sport, and YMCA’s inclusive work is a perfect example of that.”
Arran Sturrock, inclusive coordinator at YMCA Plymouth said:
“Partnerships make what we do possible, another major example is our partnership with Special Olympics, who offer pathways for competition to many of our young people and who’s volunteers help out each week with our joint session on Wednesdays.”
Another recent partnership has been with outdoor education and coaching provider ‘Ibex Outdoor’ who are providing specialist training for staff of the inclusive climbing sessions that run each week and utilised specialist equipment that enables people with a spectrum of additional needs to enjoy the benefits of climbing.
Speaking about the future direction of their disability provision, Andrew Robertson said that the charity has bold ambitions by working with its current partners and is now seeking more people to get involved and help them shape the future of their provision.
“We know that many young people are still not getting the access to opportunities which would help them thrive in life. Sport can have a huge impact on a person’s life, and this is especially true for people living with a disability. Our goal is to create a centre of excellence in the south west right here in Plymouth, and we hope by continuing our efforts in partnership, we’ll make this ambition a reality.”
To find out more about YMCA Inclusive, or join in their sessions, visit: ymcaplymouth.org.uk/inclusive or contact Arran Sturrock at arran.s@ymcaplymouth.org.uk
