London
Children and Young People
Disabled children are less isolated and more engaged in sport
Hundreds of disabled children will be less isolated and more engaged in sport thanks to a £15,000 grant Disability Sports Coach (DSC).
The grant will go towards running its inclusive community sports clubs for children who have been left out of sport.
Children attending have a wide range of conditions including Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and complex needs. Many are autistic and 85 per cent of members have a learning disability.
They are unable to access gyms and leisure centres unsupported, but DSC breaks down the barriers to sport so that everyone can play.
Multi-sports sessions are taught by specialist coaches who adapt sport for members who play football, basketball, tennis and cricket, alongside Paralympic sports such as Boccia.
The need for the charity’s work has never been more pressing.
National charity Activity Alliance has identified a widening gap in wellbeing following the pandemic and found that 46 per cent of disabled individuals are less active due to mental health concerns and 61 per cent feel more socially isolated.
DSC works in some of the capitals most deprived communities including Tower Hamlets, Southwark, and Hackney, reaching people from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
With 10 award-winning sports clubs across London, the charity, whose partners include Sport England and Nike, most recently collected a 2023 Uniting London Award from London Sport.
In the last year more than 300 children and young people engaged in DSC’s Community Clubs and online events. Since joining DSC, 97 per cent of members report increased confidence, 93 per cent feel happier and better at socialising, and 93 per cent feel a part of their community.
We’re very grateful to London Freemasons for their generous grant, which will enable us to engage more disabled children with sport across London. Our community sports clubs are a lifeline for disabled members – who would otherwise be locked out of sport. The funding will allow us to support disabled children in some of the most deprived areas of London to feel more confident and less lonely – all through the power of sport.
I’m very pleased we’ve been able to support Disability Sports Coach and the fantastic work they do to support disabled children in London. It’s truly wonderful for children that faced barriers to participate in many pastimes will get the opportunity to engage in popular sports for the first time. It will mean these children will be more engaged in sport, feel happier and have a greater sense of community.
