This week is Learning Disability Week, with the theme of ‘Do You See Me?’, highlighted the need for people with a learning disability to be seen, heard, included and valued.
That is an approach which Wolves Foundation pursue all the year around on the different projects delivered for people with learning disabilities.
A snapshot of the areas of delivery delivered by the Foundation are as follows:
YO! Active SEND Sessions
Funded by Wolverhampton Council, our YO! Active SEND sessions are open to individuals up to the age of 25 with special educational needs and disabilities living in WV postcode areas. We currently offer SEND football sessions for children aged 6 to 10.
Active Through Football
Supported by the Football Foundation, our Active Through Football project offers a variety of inclusive sports activities for individuals aged 18 and over. These include:
- Pan-Disability Football
- SEND Sports Sessions
- Pan-Disability Kabaddi
- Rockspur Disability Football
- Highflyers Disability Football
SEND Football Sessions
Funded by the Sporting Chances project, thanks to investment from the National Lottery Community Fund, we deliver a wide range of SEND football sessions across community hubs, leisure centres, and schools.
Wolves Disability Football Club
We also run Wolves Disability Football Club, a club providing a competitive and inclusive environment for players aged eight and above with disabilities. Wolves Disability FC run eight teams at adult, Under-16 and Under-12 levels as well as weekly training session and an additional session for players who are keen to play just for fun.
“For many years, organising projects for people with learning disabilities has formed a key part of Wolves Foundation’s delivery, and that is something we are very proud of,” says the Foundation’s community sport manager Hope Bourton.
“We believe that football and other activities should be as inclusive as possible for participants of all ages and abilities, and that everyone should have access to a sport that they enjoy.
“We also aim to provide a variety of opportunities both with sessions that are designed purely for fun, and then a more competitive element which players can find if they progress through to the hugely successful Wolves Disability FC.
“Making sure that participants are seen, heard, included and valued is of paramount importance, and something which deserves to be highlighted during Learning Disability Week, but is one of the pillars of our delivery all the year around.”
Wolves Disability FC have just come to the end of another successful season not just in terms of participation but also winning several trophies.
“We are continuing to grow as an overall squad, and offering people opportunities to play football which otherwise they would not receive,” says Gavin Jones, senior disability sport officer who oversees the Foundation’s Disability set-up.
“We often get feedback from parents that, without the Foundation, their children just wouldn’t know what to do.
“We have won some trophies again and it’s always nice to win and give people the opportunity to achieve something and make memories.
“But it is also about much more than that in terms of being a part of something and having a sense of belonging.
“There is a team spirit and togetherness and a culture where everyone is always happy to see other people succeeding.”
And that will be on show at Molineux this weekend when Disability FC enjoy their end-of-season presentation evening.
Anyone interested in any of the above projects can contact Hope at hopebourton@wolves.co.uk
