Vivacity: sport for all

Vivacity’s extensive culture and sports offering is designed to be accessible to everyone, including those of us with physical and mental disabilities. From dementia-friendly swimming to specially planned heritage tours, there’s something for every ability and interest. Come and get involved!

Sporting chance
Physical activity isn’t just about keeping fit, it enriches lives by making us happier and less stressed. Vivacity’s disability sports programme is dedicated to getting more young people and adults with disabilities participating in sport. From basketball to archery, there’s an activity to suit every level of ability with staff on hand to ensure everyone taking part gets the most from it. Vivacity’s Sports Development Officer Matt Taylor explains why Vivacity places so much emphasis on ensuring everyone has the chance to take part: ‘One of our aims as a charity is to engage the hard to reach. On the sports side this means getting more people active and socially interacting. We do this by working with other charities and funding partners to create those opportunities.’

The programme includes provision for adults in day care who may be unable to work. Sports sessions enable them to get fit and gain confidence, enhancing their daily lives. Other participants may be living with a longterm condition, sensory loss, or recovering from a stroke, depression or heart attack. If you’re unsure what sport is right for you, just ask. ‘We help to point people in the right direction and find something suitable,’ says Matt. ‘We have done a really good job at finding new ways to include people; there are at least a couple of sports anyone can have a go at. And if we have to find the funding to purchase a specific piece of kit that means someone can take part, we’ll try our best to do it.’ One of the most popular disability sports on offer is archery, where adaptations have been installed so that people with full body use can shoot alongside those with, for example, limited finger movement. The Adapted Cycling Club is another success. Participants can try out one of the specially adapted bikes under the guidance of qualified cycling coaches and an experienced disabled cyclist.

‘Adapted cycling has enabled more people to complete a cardio workout outside, rather than being confined to a hand bike in the gym. We’ve seen people’s independence grow from only being able to cycle 10-15 metres by themselves to a completing several laps of the track after just one month.’ Other sports on the programme include Boccia; a Paralympic sport similar to bowls designed for people with severe impairments, Rebound Therapy; which uses trampolines to provide opportunities for movement and therapeutic exerciseand the Sharks Basketball Club; initially open to players with learning disabilities but expanding to include participants with sensory and physical disabilities. ‘All our disability sports are run by people who genuinely love their sport,’ says Matt. ‘And most sessions are led or assisted by someone with a disability who has first-hand experience of the challenges involved in taking part, so they can relate to the participants.’ Curious to find out more? Matt wants you to get in touch: ‘Take the first step: try a sport or two and see for yourself. Many people, especially carers and family members, don’t appreciate just how much opportunity there is for people with disabilities. There’s a lot on offer and we’d love to see more people taking part.’

Swim free
Swimming is unlike any other form of exercise. Gentle on the joints and uniquely calming, it offers multiple benefits for both physical and mental health. Time in the water is proven to reduce anxiety, lift mood and enhance psychological wellbeing, making it ideal for improving the quality of life for people in all stages of dementia. Vivacity’s dementia friendly swimming sessions are designed around the specific needs of those living with the condition. Sessions are held at quieter times of the day in the Regional Fitness and Swimming Centre’s teaching pool. The water here is warmer and shallower than in the main pool, so swimmers remain comfortable and are never out of their depth. ‘Some dementia sufferers may have lost confidence to go in the water.

The sessions help to bring them back to a time when they used to swim and helps to re-install that confidence,’ says Sarah Leadbetter, Vivacity’s Health and Wellbeing Manager. ‘Swimming is an activity that’s easily recalled. Once they are in the water it just comes naturally.’ Dementia friendly swimming has come to Peterborough with the support of Swim England, the governing body for swimming. ‘Swim England has seen some encouraging results. Dementia sufferers have found it really beneficial, and then there’s the peer support of coming together,’ adds Sarah. ‘Swimming reminds people of happier moments in the past, of something they really enjoyed when they were younger.’

Disability sports
● Vivacity runs sports sessions for people with a range of disabilities. From hand cycling to archery, there’s something for everyone.
● For more information visit www.vivacitypeterborough. com/disabilitysports or call 01733 863783

Dementia friendly swimming
● Dementia friendly swimming sessions take place in and warmer, soothing water
● Mon & Thurs, 12-1pm; Tues, 7.30-9pm
● For more information visit www.vivacity-peterborough.com or call 01733 864764

For more information visit ww.vivacity-peterborough.com