What is ABILITY Blues?
One of the most inspiring and uplifting projects since our official launch in October 2020 has been our ABILITY Blues programme, enabling young people to access to physical activity across Bedfordshire.
ABILITY BLUES aims to provide bespoke sessions focusing on positive physical and mental well-being. During the pandemic, young people have suffered significantly in maintaining their physical and mental health, increasing the need for projects like this.
These tailored sessions supporting those with a physical or learning disability, using a variety of sports and activities to develop fundamental movements such as agility, balance and co-ordination in a safe and fun environment.
As well as physical health benefits, another key delivery point surrounds developing confidence and increasing social skills, as well as promoting teamwork, discipline and resilience.
A key partner in the launch of ABILITY Blues has been Autism Bedfordshire, giving us access to their service users and providing a bespoke programme that adds to their variety of offers to their membership.
Reuben’s story:
Reuben, a participant at ABILITY Blues, has been one of the most proactive young people throughout our sessions and a constant source of illustrating why the programme is so important. Reuben said:
“It makes me feel fun & energetic. It’s a whole new world of exercise which I really enjoy.”
His father, Martin commented: “Reuben has never participated in much exercise. He is aware of the health benefits and need to exercise but, as is the case with many autistic kids, Reuben finds it difficult to join in team sports.
“The exercise and the camaraderie of the group are what Reuben most enjoys. Reuben is at an age and point in his personal progress where he is opening up to new experiences and these sessions have come at a really good time for him, both in the sporting challenge and their social nature.
“It's lovely to be able to watch him having fun and feeling confident to be himself. I feel excited to introduce Reuben to further sporting opportunities in the future, knowing that I can refer him back to the positive experiences had here.”
Sensory Direct UK note the chance of missing out on sporting activity is higher for people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) owing to a whole host of different factors and this has been highlighted further by the pandemic with cases of social exclusion and isolation on the rise.
Martin Ward added: “We have definitely seen signs of confidence within Reuben around sport and doing exercise in general, and those things are now undoubtedly making him happier. This emerging confidence was there to see in his improving hand-eye co-ordination and concentration over the course of the sessions.
“I’m extremely happy with the way these sessions have been organised and run by Blues Foundation. The needs and behaviours of each of the participants are always taken into consideration, making the activity comfortable and yet challenging for everyone.”
“I definitely feel he is now more likely to accept and be enthusiastic for our exercise suggestions in the future because of the positive experience he has had with Blues Foundation. These relaxed non-competitive sessions are perfect to allow him to be part of a team and to contribute to a positive group sporting experience without the need to win.