SPORTA REPORT BUILDING INDEPENDENCE
ORGANISATION Circadian
PROJECT Choices 4 U C
hoices 4 U is a day care provision scheme for adults with learning difficulties, hosted at Circadian’s leisure
centres. The service, which is operated by South Gloucestershire Council’s Community Sport and Adult Day Care teams, aims to promote independence and build confidence. A team of experienced staff are on-
hand to support with activities, which are delivered at Kingswood, Yate and Bradley Stoke Leisure Centres for minimal costs to the local authority, saving money on day care provision while dramatically increasing a range of outcomes for attendees. A support worker creates an
• Take part in activities that interest them and try new things
• Access leisure centre facilities to improve health and build confidence
• Spend time with friends as well as make new friends
• Think about work opportunities and get help and advice on how to do this
• Learn how they can travel independently with support from the
• Develop independence and living skills Travel Buddy Scheme
• Learn new skills through training To date, 12 per cent of users are
now accessing further education; 47 per cent are accessing leisure facilities independently; and 100 per cent are benefiting from increased physical activity, with a rise in knowledge around healthy living and exercise and a marked reduction in BMI.
individual plan for every attendee, highlighting their needs, goals and choices. Meanwhile the timetable of activities, which is based on the interests of the users, is reviewed and revised every nine weeks to meet users’ desired and shared outcomes. Choices 4 U supports attendees to:
Circadian’s Choices 4 U encourages attendees to try new activities
There have been other notable
successes too. Working in partnership with agencies, Choices 4 U has supported seven users towards gaining employment by raising personal expectations, providing information and guidance on supported paid work. Nine users have competed in a
regional competition with the National Boccia League and may be able to compete in the 2013 National Special Olympics. Eight users have competed in regional and national swimming galas, with four continuing to train with support from the Disability Development Squad. And, in partnership with the British Red Cross, 10 users have been trained in first aid and awarded an
‘Everyday First Aid’ certificate. Choices 4 U has trebled in size in
just over three years, serving more than 50 clients every week. The service is available to all adults with learning difficulties in the west of England. Feedback from users includes: “I like
being able to go off and do my own thing, but it’s nice to know someone’s there if I have a problem”, “Choices 4 U has helped me keep fit and active and has helped me to be more involved in my community” and “Choices 4 U is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
To date, 12 per cent of users are now
accessing further education, and 47 per cent are accessing leisure facilities independently
68 Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital Sessions can be tailored for schools May 2013 © Cybertrek 2013 JUST A GAME
ORGANISATION Bay Leisure
PROJECT The LC Games T
aking place at Bay Leisure- operated The LC in Swansea, Wales, LC Games was set up to continue the Olympic legacy in
Swansea. To date, more than 20 schools and 2,000 children have taken part. The project offers outreach programmes to schools, although so far all schools have chosen to attend the facility. Each school can tailor the sessions
to suit their needs and wants, and can use any of the facilities including the play area, climbing wall or any sporting activities like badminton, table tennis, basketball, netball, rugby and football. Mini Olympics and Multi Sports are themed for primary schools, while Fun & Games targets three- to five-year-olds. Access to the iZone – an interactive gym and workout area for teenagers – is also available, offering Expresso bikes that can race against each other and link to social media sites, as well as rowers, a dance mat, Wii Fit and a reaction wall. “The free sessions have been a great
success,” says Richard Proctor, CEO of Bay Leisure. “Many class visits have resulted in the whole school coming.” The LC also runs Shape Up Plan, a
nutritional and fitness scheme designed to help members lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way rather than crash dieting. Shape Up Kids has seen more than 60 children take part so far, with pupils educated in both fitness and the nutritional aspects of various foods. ●
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