Free sports taster day for visually impaired people and their families

A free taster day on Monday 14^th May 2018 from Liverpool VISPA (Visually Impaired Sports and Physical Activity), with support from British Blind Sport, will provide visually impaired young people and families the chance to try exercise and sports they thought they were not able to do.

VISPA is a group of local visual impairment charities, whose aim is to inspire those who want to participate in sport to be able to do so and ensure that all partially sighted people in Liverpool have equal access to sporting opportunities.

Participation in sports amongst visually impaired people is much lower compared to the general population, with only 13% of people with visual impairment taking part in sport once a week (British Blind Sports, 2015).

Sports and activities can be made accessible for blind and partially sighted people in a number of ways, including guided running and footballs with a bell inside so that players can hear it move around the pitch.

VISPA’s Taster Day activities will include swimming, tennis and archery. Local Sports and Physical Activity providers and National Governing Bodies of Sport will be supporting the day with expert coaches on hand to offer advice and guidance on how to take part. They will also provide information on how to continue regularly with preferred activities following the event.

Henshaws’ Development Officer for VISPA, George Ferguson, said:

“Many blind and partially sighted people are worried that they won’t be able to access sports, which is why our Taster Day will show that any activity is possible – all while having fun and meeting new people!

My role is to make it as easy as possible for visually impaired people of all ages, sporty and non-sporty, to realise their goals and aspirations, to understand the benefits of living a more active life, and enjoying becoming more active and healthy. I’m excited to provide this opportunity for people to try out sports for themselves and find something they love.”

The taster day starts from 9.15am at Greenbank Sports Academy, with a minibus shuttle service to the different activity locations including St Vincent’s School and Lifestyles Austin Rawlinson.

To register please follow this link https://britishblindsport.wufoo.eu/forms/sb6ch270y275e8/ or for more information contact George Ferguson either by calling 0151 708 7055 or emailing George.Ferguson@henshaws.org.uk.