Want to try new activities?

4 July 2017

We have a new project to help thousands of blind and partially sighted people across South Wales to take part in sport, leisure and interest activities such as tennis, golf and art thanks to support from Big Lottery Fund Cymru.

We are working with activity providers such as leisure centres, adult learning centres, theatres, sports clubs and community groups to make activities more accessible and welcoming.  We are also encouraging and helping blind and partially sighted people to take part in a wide variety of opportunities and give them the skills to organise activities for themselves and other people with sight loss.

As an example of why we are doing this project, here is a quote from one of our service-users Tafsila Khan.

“I really want to go to my local leisure centre and swim without support but I’m worried about going on my own since my sight has deteriorated. But this project will help me do this and a lot more by talking to organisations like leisure centres about the issues I face and hopefully they will make some simple changes to make it easier and more enjoyable for me and others whose sight condition can make daily tasks really challenging.”

We have recruited three new members of staff to advise providers on making small changes and to arrange taster sessions, coaching and open days.  The staff will also recruit volunteers to take people to an organised activity for the first time, make initial introductions, help to plan and establish travel routes and instill confidence in undertaking new experiences.

Individuals or organisations wanting to take part in the project can contact the member of staff working in their area.  You can also get in touch if you are interested in volunteering.

They are:

Kiel Gibson, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot

Carys Groves, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil

Alastair Sill, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan

Contact detail for all staff can be found by clicking the link here.

A huge thanks must go to Big Lottery Fund Cymru for supporting this project between 2017-2021.

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