Few activities outside of Adult Social Care for adults with learning disabilities to take part in

2. Few activities outside of Adult Social Care for adults with learning disabilities to take part in No central point of information 80% of adults with LD engage in levels of physical activity below the minimum recommended by the Dept of Health. Messent et al 1998 (BJLD) Participation rate for disabled adults is significantly lower than for non-disabled adults Sport England 2002 Learning Disability accepted back into the Paralympic Games for London 2012 Why was there a need for Get Active?

3. Aims of Get Active • Run activities that will support and encourage people with learning disabilities to use their local Leisure Centres • Overcome some of the problems people with learning disabilities come across when accessing sport • Help community facilities to support people with learning disabilities • Providing a range of supportive environments to encourage people to take more physical activity and lead a healthier lifestyle.

4. Meets every 2 months Representation from: Bucks Sport (County Sports Partnership) Local Leisure Providers Bucks County Council Day Opportunities Ridgeway Partnership (Learning Disability Team) District Council Sports Development teams Disability Sports Coordinator Disability Sports Development Officer Steering Group

5. 1st Year • Almost 100 People with Learning Disabilities took part in Get Active sessions • Football to Boccia to Martial Arts • Local steering group of adults with learning disabilities • Coaches received LD training • Bank of volunteers to help sustainable activity • Get Active Birthday Party!

6. 2nd Year • Nearly 200 people with learning disabilities have taken part • Activity days at Longridge Outdoor Activity Centre • Increased range of activities available to people with learning disabilities • Activities for people with PMLD • 2nd Birthday Party!

7. Almost 250 people with learning disabilities have taken part…so far! More activities, swimming, rounders… Longridge Outdoor Activity Centre Working with other organisations, clubs and groups to develop sustainable activities Developed the Get Active logo as a brand Loyalty cards Looking for ways to continue the work done so far by Get Active 3rd Year…so far

8. Feedback, Evaluation and Monitoring • Evaluation forms for participants • Evaluations from carers and parents • Attempted to get feedback on increase in activity levels and/or activity • To try semi-structured interviews and a simple form • Filming participants who find it more difficult to communicate

9. Carer feedback • ‘Benefitted socially as regards mixing with other service users who like football’ • ‘They talk about their friends at football’ • ‘He has lost weight this year, not necessarily from Get Active but coming here helps’ • ‘He joins in and tries to converse with others’ • ‘He is always smiling during the session, he enjoys the company of other young adults’

10. Participant feedback • ‘All of it I love it’ • ‘Good teamwork’ • ‘Really active, heart pumping’ • ‘Because I won’ • ‘Learning and improving’ • ‘Keep me fit’ • ‘Lose weight’ • Key themes • Competition • Enjoyment • Achievement • Activity itself

11. Now what and other ideas? • Increase activity range • Health walks • Increase coverage across the county • Increase volunteers • Increase leisure centre and sports club involvement • Learning disability training • Publicity material • Learning disability staff training • Have to persuade 3 people for every 1 participant attending

12. Is anything we do unique? • We are the only project delivering sport for adults with learning disabilities across the whole county of Buckinghamshire • Bringing together other organisations providing isolated activities – central point of contact/info • Established a brand – providing continuity and trust • Qualified coaches • Detailed list of people with learning disabilities, professionals and relevant groups • The sessions themselves are not unique but the project is

13. Slow start Need support of existing services to benefit individuals Try to get groups etc to take on responsibility earlier More work still needed at NGB level to get disability integral to club structure Friendly, welcoming, fun environment is the key to participant enjoyment No activity is beyond reach of people with LD Lessons Learnt

14. Questions

15. Polly Owens Disability Sports Coordinator 01296 585215 powens@buckssport.org Contact Details • Patricia Brennan Disability Sports Development Officer • 01296 585215 • pbrennan@buckssport.org