Lifestyle

Disability sports for all in Peterborough  

The Vivacity Disability Sports programme offers a wide variety of fully-inclusive sporting sessions across the city. All sports are adapted to accommodate a wide range of disabilities and are available at a range of locations. Find out more…

Almost 1 in 5 people in England have a long standing disability or illness with almost 75% of those people having more than one impairment. Sport England report that 1.5 million adults with a disability play sport at least once a week and Vivacity is looking to increase activity through its Disability Sports programme. The Vivacity Disability Sports programme aims to increase local involvement in sport by breaking down potential barriers for those with a disability. The programme offers a wide variety of fully-inclusive sporting sessions at a range of locations across Peterborough.

All sessions are fully inclusive, meaning it is suitable for all types of disability and these friendly sessions are open to all ages and abilities. The fun sessions are ideal for people with a physical, sensory or learning disability, anyone on the autistic spectrum, or for those living with a long-term health or mental health conditions. Vivacity’s supportive and specially trained coaches adapt all activities so that everyone can take part, and carers and family members are welcome to all sessions. If as a parent or carer you are concerned about participation – don’t be! Vivacity have adapted the sports to be fully-inclusive so that everyone gets something worthwhile out of the session.

Seven great disability sports to try!  
Physical activity can vastly improve quality of life, with members given the support to learn new skills, develop confidence and meet new people. If you care for a person with a disability and feel they would benefit from taking part you can choose from these seven fun activities:  

1 Archery Sundays 9.45am-10.45am Werrington Leisure Centre If you’re looking for a sport that requires skill and technique whilst providing a fun challenge, then archery is for you! This inclusive and social sport attracts young and old alike and is perfect for all ages and abilities including wheelchair users, the blind and the visually impaired. Vivacity’s qualified archery leaders will adapt the equipment and delivery style to enable all participants to reach their full potential.

2 Boccia Club Saturdays 10am-12noon Peterborough Indoor Bowls Club Boccia is a popular Paralympic sport belonging to the same family as bowls. It’s particularly suited to people with severe impairments, but is open to everyone including carers and family members. The club not only offers support and a great social network but a little friendly competition in the form of a local league and a number of friendly matches.

3 FINS Swimming Lessons Saturdays 10am-11.30am The Regional Fitness & Swimming Centre FINS swimming lessons form a key part of the Vivacity Swimming Academy and is aligned with the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) Learn-to-Swim pathway. Swimming is an excellent low-impact form of exercise and an important life skill to master no matter what age or ability. Swimming is the UK’s top disability sport due to the freedom and expression that it allows with sessions suitable up to the age of 19 years. All lessons are taught by specially trained and qualified swimming teachers with additional support provided by carers, extra staff and volunteers.

4 Sharks Basketball Sundays 11am-12noon Hampton Leisure Centre Sharks Basketball is a fantastic outlet for anyone who is full of energy. Participants don’t take themselves too seriously and as a result there is a fantastic team atmosphere where everyone can feel relaxed and supported. Currently most of the players are teenagers and adults with learning disabilities but they are keen to include younger people and participants with sensory and physical disabilities. The Sharks compete against other local and regional teams and will be competing in the Special Olympics in the future.

5 Peterborough Adapted Cycling Scheme (PACS) Various times available The Embankment Sports and Athletics Arena and Ferry Meadows The Peterborough Adapted Cycling Scheme (PACS) offers a range of specially adapted bikes for adults and children with disabilities and limited mobility. This friendly club is run by qualified cycling coaches and experienced disabled cyclists who are always on hand to offer help and advice on how participants can get the most out of each sessions and reach their full potential. Both sessions are held in scenic locations: Ferry Meadows with wonderful views over the lakes and at the Athletics Track which offers a great cycling surface. Every Wednesday 5pm-7pm at the Peterborough Embankment Athletics Arena Cycles include; classic two wheelers, a range of hand cycles, tricycles and quad cycles and a tandem. Ferry Meadows, runs April – September Term Time: Thursdays 4pm-6pm & Saturdays 12.30am-2.30pm School holidays: Tuesdays 10am-4pm and Thursdays 10am-6pm Cycles include; a two-person quad cycle, a range of tricycles, a two wheeler and hand cycles.

6 Multi-Sports Mondays 5-7pm Bushfield Leisure Centre If you’re not quite sure which sport to try this is the perfect club for you! You can take part in a number of different sports and see which ones you prefer. If you have an idea for a sport/game you’d like to try you can suggest it, as the club will try to accommodate all sports. Some of the sports currently offered include: ● Badminton – both standing and wheelchair ● Short tennis – both standing and wheelchair ● New-age kurling ● Rounders and many more

7 Disability Dance Tuesday’s 1pm-2pm Hampton Leisure Centre Dance is the perfect creative expression whatever your ability or style. The session is aimed at adults and school groups and is a mix of structured and improvisational dance. Individuals learn routines and create their own style of dance all suited to their own abilities, wheelchair users are warmly welcome and the emphasis is on fun expression and acceptance

Let Vivacity come to you
Vivacity has been working in partnership with a range of local organisations to deliver a great fully-inclusive programme that offers fun and variety. Vivacity realises that it can be difficult to commit to set times and locations and because of this are now working in conjunction with Inspire Peterborough to offer a range of sessions that they can bring to you. Inspire Peterborough is a registered disability charity which promotes sport and leisure activities to support people with disabilities, their family members and carers. The programme is designed to ensure anyone can take part in sport, no matter their disability. Vivacity currently offers handcycling, archery, indoor cricket and table cricket as part of the services they can bring to you.

For more information contact Vivacity’s Disability Sports Officer Matt Taylor on 01733 863783 or email

For more information about Vivacity’s Disability Sports programme please visit www.vivacity-peterborough.com/disabilitysport

Leave a Reply

Comments are closed.

Register an Account