Geoff Russell-Jones, Awards Officer of the Jack Petchey Foundation awarded a £5000 cheque to help fund the Norwood and Maccabi GB’s Healthy Lifestyle Project. Children with disabilities or special needs can sometimes be denied sporting and health enhancing opportunities, which can result in a low level of fitness.
The Project therefore offers individually tailored programme of activities for children with special needs, physical disabilities and learning disabilities. They have the opportunity to have fun, stay fit, keep well and adopting positive and appropriate changes to lifestyle in order to help to sustain their health and build confidence. Children at any level of fitness take part in the sessions that take place at Norwood’s Kennedy Children & Family Centre as part of the Unity recreational, play and youth service for children with disabilities.
The project uses the expertise of Norwood, Macabbi GB and Barnet partner organisation, IPOP, the Inclusive Play Opportunities Project. Maccabi instructors with specialist qualifications and knowledge will work with children, in consultation with their parents. Together they have designed individual programmes suited to each child and, where possible, encourage them to take part in sports and activities in teams or groups.
Geoff Russell-Jones, Awards Officer for the Foundation said “Jack Petchey started the Foundation to help young people take advantage of opportunities. We are keen to support this project which offers young people a range of activities and a wonderful opportunity to improve their lifestyle.”
The programme includes a wide range of sports activities such as football, athletics, exercise programmes and as well as healthy eating and cooking activities. Events take place at Norwood’s Kennedy Leigh Children & Family Centre and at facilities in the local community.
Hilary Rosen, Development Manager at Norwood’s Kennedy Leigh Children & Family Centre said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for the children who will be able to enjoy their individually tailored programme that will have a positive impact on their health and fitness. We’d like to thank the Jack Petchey Foundation for their generous donation to the project.”
Jo Webber, Schools and Sports Development Coordinator at Maccabi GB said ‘We are very excited by this joint venture and we are delighted that the young people are already benefiting greatly from the project.”
The Healthy Lifestyle Project is funded by Awards for All (supported by The National Lottery), Sport Relief and the Jack Petchey Foundation.
Anyone who is interested in their child joining Unity, our recreational service for children with disabilities, and taking part in the Healthy Lifestyle Project should contact Hilary Rosen at Norwood on hilary.rosen@norwood.org.uk or 020 8457 4452. Alternatively contact Daniel Morris at Maccabi on danielmoris@maccabigb.org
If you know of a project for young people aged 11 – 25 years in London you could visit the Jack Petchey Foundation website to see if you are eligible for funding, visit www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk
