"These sessions benefit her massively and she comes back with a smile on her face"

Accessing gyms and understanding the right exercises for you can be very difficult, especially for young disabled people.

Phoenix, a freelance personal trainer, provides specialist and adaptive training in the gym and is experienced in working with young people with a range of different needs and motivations.

Access Sport has supported Phoenix to do her safeguarding course, find and fund a suitable venue and organise logistics around sign-ups and communications. As part of her involvement in our Changing Places Bristol work, she also has access to our Inclusive Club Network - a national network of community sport clubs that provides additional support to all clubs working with Access Sport.

Phoenix’s patience and expertise have made a huge impact in helping participants understand their bodies and demonstrate how different exercises can be adapted to their needs.

Amelia, one of Phoenix’s participants, has Cerebral Palsy. As a result, her movement isn’t the same as her peers and she has previously not been included in PE lessons and other sport sessions.

Laura, Amelia’s mum said:

“These sessions benefit her massively and she comes back with a smile on her face. Coming somewhere like this, she’s enjoying it and doesn’t realise that she’s working her body hard and getting what she needs from it. I’ve noticed a huge change in her physical ability and confidence. Normally, she wouldn’t be able to walk to school but this week she walked to school and back, which she’s never done before.”

Through these sessions, participants are empowered to get active in a setting they feel comfortable in, this confidence then translates into school and other sport sessions. Overall, we have seen some drastic improvements in participant’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Gyms can act as a safe space for disabled young people.With our support, Phoenix has been able to support local young people with an inclusive and accessible activity where they feel they belong. This experience is life-changing and will have a tangible impact on their lives.