Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Summer activities a hit with Hornsey youngsters

by Ethos public relations

Young disabled people from across north London had great fun learning how to play table tennis and won awards for their efforts, thanks to a summer activity programme with a difference.

Table tennis was just one of the many sporting activities in the fun-packed summer programme as well as basketball, volleyball, martial arts, tennis and football, all provided by national disability charity, Action For Kids.

The six-week activity programme, which ran Monday to Friday, throughout the summer holidays, also included cookery lessons, creative classes and Beat Bullying sessions.

“I had a fantastic time,” said Jignesh Thacker, one of the youngsters who successfully completed the table tennis coaching programme.

A total of 46 youngsters, aged between 14 and 25, with severe learning difficulties and a wide range of physical disabilities took part in the sporting activities and also enjoyed fun days out, trips to the cinema and visits from dog handlers with police sniffer dogs, hearing dogs and pet therapy dogs.

Jo Read, Work Related Learning Director at Action For Kids, said that as well as having a great time during the summer, the programme of events provided respite for the young people’s families.

“The wide range of activities we ran throughout the summer holidays was so beneficial for the youngsters,” Jo said. “And it was fantastic to see just how much the young people developed over the six-week period.

“Learning new skills and new experiences really helps to build up the young people’s self confidence,” said Jo.

“Cooking and healthy eating supports the young people to become more independent. Sport helps their general health and fitness and it was fantastic to see some of the young people on the programme even gaining AQA certificates for their cooking skills.”

Action For Kids helps to support children and young people with physical and learning disabilities and their parents and carers across the UK. The Action For Kids summer activity programme is currently funded by the local authorities Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) and Short Breaks for Disabled Children and Young People.

For more information about Action For Kids and its work, please visit the website at www.actionforkids.org.

Posted at 22^nd September 2010