The Matchroom Sport Charitable Foundation donation to British Blind Sport will help people with sight loss to lead more active, healthy and independent lives through the power of sport.
The funds will be directed to the 16 Have A Go Days that the charity organises for people with sight loss in locations across the UK including; Kent, Leeds, Gloucestershire, Essex, London and North Yorkshire. BBS Have A Go Days (HAGDs) are a programme of multi-sport taster events that aim to engage with children and adults with sight loss who aren’t currently taking part in sports.
HAGDs allow people with sight loss the chance to experience different sports and give them the support and encouragement to gain confidence, develop their skills and take part in physical activity beyond the event. Participants will have the opportunity to meet expert coaches, local sight loss and sports organisations.
These events are also a fantastic opportunity for people with sight loss to meet new people and share their experiences, helping them to feel more socially connected.
“Today was most certainly the most fun I’ve ever had. Never in my life would I have thought I would like & (kinda) be good at sport until now!”
Ben (16 years old), HAGD Participant
Participants leave the event empowered with knowledge and support that will enable them to access physical activity and sport in their communities. They also have the option to become a BBS member which gives them continued support in forming a long-term physical activity habit.
Have A Go Days have provided the opportunity for so many people with sight loss to take their first steps into sport who may have never had the opportunity to do this before or for those who have simply got out of the habit and want to change that.
Lucy Beattie-Cooper – Head of Business Development at BBS – said
“Thank you so much to The Matchroom Sport Charitable Foundation for this fantastic support. With your help, we can use the power of sport to change the lives of people with sight loss. Only 12% of people with sight loss take part in regular physical activity yet more than 62% want to take part in sport but experience barriers due to their disability. Together, we can work to overcome these barriers and ensure that all people with sight loss can enjoy the amazing benefits of sport and physical activity”
About BBS:
British Blind Sport (BBS) is the only national sports and physical activity charity exclusively for people with sight loss.
In the UK, there are more than 2 million children and adults with severe sight loss and they need our help now more than ever before. Two-thirds of people with severe sight loss are living below the poverty line, over 90% of those who lose their sight in their youth will never have a long-term job and they are more likely to experience loneliness with nearly half report feeling isolated and cut-off from society.
At BBS, we know that physical activity has the huge potential to transform the health and wellbeing of people with sight loss. Research shows that regular physical activity boosts self-esteem, mood, energy and reduces stress as well as providing valuable opportunities to socialise and feel part of an active community.
BBS’ mission is to make sport and physical activity accessible for all blind & partially sighted people in the UK. Every year, BBS reaches 5000+ people through our services, events and projects, supporting people with sight loss of all abilities to participate in a wide range of physical activity from home-based exercise to activities at clubs, schools & leisure centres.
BBS’ key work includes: ‘Have A Go Days’ which are multi-sport taster days for children and adults and take place across the UK, BBS Sport Sections that co-ordinate national sport activities & competitions, See My Voice a social action project for teens with sight loss to develop leadership & employability skills through volunteering, First Steps for children aged 2-11yrs to improve their motor skills & develop confidence in moving and being active and the BBS Helpline and Activity Finder service which provides personalised 1-1 support to individuals, connecting people with local opportunities and working to address the unique challenges that blind and partially sighted people face.
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