Families with disabled kids and teens desperately need these kind of events. They need to feel included, and the kids need to feel represented

On Sunday 24^th, Access Sport in partnership with Peabody delivered an inclusive sports festival at The Sporting Club in Thamesmead for D/deaf and disabled children and their families in Greenwich and Bexley to promote and celebrate pan-disability sport and physical activity.

There are many barriers affecting D/deaf and disabled families from participating in sport such as, not having access to inclusive opportunities, sessions are costly and a lack of accessible equipment. Our inclusive sports festival was a wonderful opportunity for families to see and try all the inclusive opportunities that are available to them in the area.

30 D/deaf and disabled children attended with their families and took in a variety of sports including judo, tennis, archery, boxing, frame football and yoga delivered by local community partners.

“It went really well I hope you are all proud. Families with disabled kids and teens desperately need these kind of events. They need to feel included, and the kids need to feel represented, so well done to you all.” – Emma, Autistic Inclusive Meets

Access Sport and Peabody also delivered free inclusive activities for these families during the Summer Holidays. This event supports our Changing Places work in South East London where we’re working with community clubs and organisations to create more inclusive opportunities for D/deaf and disabled families.

Sport England (2013-2014)[1], found that sports participation is lowest amongst people who are D/ deaf and disabled – with only 9.9% taking part in sport once a week compared with 39.4% of non-disabled people.  Our inclusive festival and other events we deliver across Access Sport highlight the importance of raising this awareness for our work and ‘making inclusion the norm’.

You can take a closer look at the event with the photos from the day 
Use the arrows to scroll through the images or click here to visit the gallery to download an image.

Access Sport and Peabody have been working in partnership for the past year and are currently discussing more opportunities to collaborate and promote more inclusive opportunities across Thamesmead, Greenwich and Bexley.

Peabody’s aim is to make a positive difference to communities and provide inclusive places to work. They provide homes and services for over 22,0000 customers across London and the home counties. We have thoroughly enjoyed working collectively and are looking forward to our plans ahead.

‘Really loved it. It was really great to meet a couple of people and find out about different clubs he can do going forward. It was a lovely environment because I didn't have to worry about his safety. Also, everyone engaged so lovely with him - he doesn't often talk to new people but today he was talking to 2 or 3 different staff members. It was really beautiful, we've had a lovely day.’ Parent

[1] UK Deaf Sport launches national sport and physical activity survey (activityalliance.org.uk)