10th YEAR CELEBRATIONS AT THE SEASHELL TRUST

An award-winning sports club is celebrating this week a decade of giving children the chance to play together – whatever their ability or disability.

Some 6,000 young people, aged from five to 16, have taken part in the Seashell Trust-run CADS programme, enjoying over 30 different sports since it began in August 2003.

 The Children’s Able and Disabled Sport programme runs sports camps  every school holidays at the Seashell Trust’s Cheadle Hulme campus  with able and disabled children trying out activities together including  boccia, archery, orienteering and lacrosse and even Frisbee golf. t  together. During term-time there are football, gymnastics, climbing and  dance clubs.

 A CADS Saturday Club and tennis club have been launched this  summer to celebrate the tenth anniversary.

 The Cheadle Hulme-based project has won a number of awards including the prestigious National Lottery Award (2010) and the BBC Power of Sport Award (2009). It is set to become a blueprint for inclusive sport across the North West.

Jake Flannery, 13, attended one of this summer’s two week-long holiday clubs. He has been coming almost since the beginning.

Lydia Waker, CADS organiser at Seashell Trust, said: “Children, irrespective of their disability, can participate in a wide range of sports alongside their able-bodied friends. Jake has cerebral palsy, a learning delay, is deaf and has a brilliant sense of humour! His younger sister Aimee, who has no disabilities, has also participated for five years.”

His mother Michelle, from High Lane, Stockport, said: “Jake has attended every CADS event, except the first one. He can try different activities that would not normally be available to him. Both Jake and Aimee enjoy it very much and they have both made new friends through CADs. It is rare that they can both participate in this type of activity together.”

At least 1,500 volunteers have give up their time over the last 10 years to make these uniquely integrated clubs happen.

Young people who have grown up enjoying CADS sport are dedicated fans. James Douglas is one of the teenagers who has come back as a volunteer to help carry on the fun for the next generation.

Lydia said: “James has taken part in CADS for nine years and, this year, became a volunteer. As well as coming to the holiday events, he has been a regular at CADS football. He now volunteers with the younger group. He is a great role model to others. He has cerebral palsy and uses a walking frame and wheelchair but this does not stop him playing and helping out at football.”

Many businesses, including BNY Mellon, are keen supporters of these sports clubs providing vital volunteers to keep them running.

The programme is the brainchild of Seashell Trust’s head of development Dominic Tinner. He said: “CADS helps to build family and community relationships and reduces the prejudice people with disabilities and additional needs face. All the young people who attend our clubs can take part in sport in the way they choose, without judgment and feel respected as equal members of the team. This means the participants and their families can concentrate on enjoying sports without worrying about anything else. Without the long-term support of the Peter Harrison Foundation the project would never have got off the ground. CADS have been providing this unique opportunity for for 10 years and won’t be stopping there!”

CADS is open to all children in Stockport whatever their ability or disability. One to one support is available. To find out more, contact Lydia Waker on 0161 610 0100 or visit www.seashelltrust.org.uk.