As the Government eases restrictions for sport and physical activity following lockdown, more people with cerebral palsy will be able to find local opportunities to get active through a new online club finder launched this week.
The tool went live on the Cerebral Palsy Sport (CP Sport) website with almost 500 clubs already listed on it, and more expected to join as clubs open up and staff and volunteers return.
CP Sport has worked with clubs, national governing bodies and Active Partnerships across the country to build the hub and has ensured the clubs listed meet the necessary criteria to support people with cerebral palsy.
SIMPLE
It is free for clubs to be part of the CP Sport club finder and is free for anyone to access and use it to find clubs. The tool will allow anyone to locate and then contact their nearest sports club through a simple postcode search.
Adi Fawcett, Chief Operating Officer for CP Sport, said: “Our new club finder will be a fantastic tool for us to connect as many people as we can to the local clubs and activities up and running in their area.
“Our aspiration is to provide a wide variety of choice for all ages that are easily accessible. We hope that with the easing of restrictions and return to sport that we can not only help our community to keep and stay active but also support the clubs who will be starting their return to sport.”
The return to activity is welcome news following an unprecedented year. CP Sport cancelled all in-person events from March 2020 and soon moved into the virtual space providing social cafes, an equipment rental service and a virtual challenge series. These provided support for people with cerebral palsy to be active at home.
BARRIERS
Activity Alliance research confirms that disabled people have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, with specific impairment groups advised to shield as soon as restrictions were announced. Twice as many disabled people felt that the pandemic greatly reduced their ability to do sport or physical activity compared to non-disabled people, which has frequently resulted in physical and mental health being harder to manage.
It is vital that opportunities to get active safely are available particularly for disabled people who are more likely to experience barriers to sport and activity. The physical, mental and social benefits of sport are widely reported and taking part in regular physical activity can be even more impactful for disabled people. CP Sport highlighted these impact stories throughout March which was Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.
