Foundation providing more opportunities for disabled youngsters

Hundreds of disabled youngsters and their families have been engaged through sport and education courses with Foundation of Light and The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund. Delivered by the Foundation's Making Moves disability team, pupils with Autism and Asperger's have been given opportunities to take part in multi-sport activities, allowing children to experience sports such as football, tag rugby, cricket and golf for the first time. Tailored curriculums have also been developed in partnership with local schools, specifically designed to meet each child's individual needs and support their learning in class and after-school clubs. Parents have also received practical advice and guidance on a range of topics such as disability awareness, business enterprise, literacy, numeracy as well as health and wellbeing as part of the Foundation's award-winning Family Learning programme.

We'd like to thank The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund for their support in helping us reach more young people and their families through Making Moves. Many schools find it difficult to support pupils with disabilities and engage their parents, but we are able to develop bespoke lesson plans which maximises the benefit to their young people, enhance their wider curriculum and provide progression opportunities.

Kevin Darke, Inclusion Coordinator

Each year, Foundation of Light helps over 2,000 young people and adults with disabilities across the North-East enjoy sport, an active lifestyle and build friendships. Supported by the Premier League/BT Sports Disability Fund and SCS Sofas, Making Moves delivers fun, exciting and challenging sessions and activities which help develop gross motor skills, balance and coordination as well as encouraging teamwork, communication and confidence. The Foundation also hosts monthly 'Disability Champions' workshops in partnership with Linrow Education to provide those working with young people and adults with a greater understanding of disabilities and mental health issues.