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What was planned?

The project was co-ordinated overall by the English Federation for Disability Sport (EFDS). The aim of the project was to give young people with disabilities access to a wide network of opportunities in sport and to build self-confidence, motivation and learning skills through sport so that young people with disabilities can lead more independent lives. The project also aimed to develop the experience and awareness of non-disabled young people and adults with respect to disabled young people and a large number of sixth form students, higher education students, teachers and sports leaders were involved.

There were 5 sub-projects in Loughborough, Liverpool, Barnet, Plymouth and Nottinghamshire. Through its network of regional managers, EFDS approached individuals known to them to co-ordinate the five local projects. Each project had its own distinctive character and range of provision, contributing to the rich diversity of the whole project. Young people with moderate or severe learning difficulties, with communication disorders and those with physical or emotional difficulties were included in the range of provision. The whole project involved well over 200 young people. In several of the areas demand was greater than expected and but for the prohibitive costs of transport for pupils with special needs and the dependence on parental support, the numbers participating could have been much higher. Participants were mainly of secondary age from 11 to 18 but in the case of the Plymouth and Nottinghamshire projects primary age pupils were involved. The Loughborough project also attracted the inclusion of a number of adults with disabilities.

This case study focuses on the Loughborough Project as an example.

What was done and when?

The project was a partnership between Maplewell Hall Special School and Burleigh Specialist Sports College.  Maplewell Hall Special School caters for students of secondary age with moderate learning difficulties. The school also includes a unit for autistic students, two of whom took part in the activities of the programme.  Burleigh College is a 14-19 Leicestershire Upper School with specialist Sports College status.  The 'One Small Step' project was a programme of multi-sports club meetings held every Monday between 4.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. during term times from September 2000 to March 2002. The regular venue was at Burleigh College, where the specialist sports hall and gymnasia offered a wide range of sports, e.g. football, cricket, trampoline, basketball, short tennis, indoor athletics, badminton, dance, Uni-hoc and Sportsability games - but also, importantly, the opportunity to play and learn in a mainstream environment in contact with students of the college.

A further aim of the project was to enhance the learning of volunteer students by engaging them to complement the work of the specialist sports coaches bought in from the funding. (Specialist coaches bought in during the three terms 2000/2001 covered for example, cricket, badminton, athletics, trampoline, dance and tennis). Structured personal development was offered to the volunteers. A variety of courses, for example in child protection, emergency aid and working with disabled sports people, in addition to their participation in club sessions led to accreditation for Junior Sports Leader awards. Attendance records showed very consistent commitment and very little drop-out.

What has the impact been?

The project was highly successful in giving students access to a wide network of opportunities in sport – one of the principal aims of the EFDS project. The personal contacts of the project co-ordinator linked the club in to many external organisations. This networking enabled a wide range of progression 'exit routes' which some of the students have taken. The following are examples:

Special Olympics Tennis (6 gold, 4 silver, 6 bronze and 2 fourth places)

• 4 students going to the pre-world games in Dublin summer 2002 representing Great Britain
• Sports clubs in their local communities
• Millenium Youth Games and Area Youth Games
• 4 students now integrating with GCSE PE course at Burleigh College
• Organising festivals of sport for local primary schools

Teaching staff also noted attitudinal change in addition to the development of co-ordination, fitness and games skills.

"I have noticed a dramatic improvement in the behaviour of students in the playground. Students have become really involved in sport - they know the rules and stick to them, they understand about teams and organise them rather than a free for all." (acting Deputy Head).

The project co-ordinator also emphasised the development of personal confidence, greater tolerance of each other, communication and social skills.  Letters received from parents endorsed these judgements.

"My daughter has gained confidence from the club and we are thrilled that she is now in one of the school teams. Our home has now a more relaxed atmosphere – especially on Monday nights."

When first approached to work on the project some coaches were hesitant to accept. Most have now expressed how rewarding the experience has been on a personal level and several have stated that they were not aware of the potential and abilities of the disabled person until taking on the project. Some volunteers have gone on to seek work placements assisting disabled persons and there have been many enquiries about further professional development e.g. learning sign language.

What was learnt and what were the next steps?

At the national level the EFDS officers expressed concerns about gaining access to sufficient funding to sustain the breadth and impetus of the project, supported as it had been by a considerable budget. Without the funding for transport the project could not have run. At local levels the individual projects hoped to access resources to continue their partnerships. For the many students who benefited from the project, 'sustainability' lies in their hopefully continued participation in the wider community sporting opportunities and progression routes opened up to them.