Finding activities for disabled children to take part in can be a
challenge. If your child is able, its good to get them involved in the local youth club or guides/cubs. But often the child will need extra support and not all mainstream clubs can offer that. Here are some groups that are either inclusive or specifically
for those with disabilities. Also some of these organisation will offer a support worker so that your child can attend a mainstream club. Please let me know if there are any more.
Irish football association
The IFA run classes for disabled young people and children to teach them how to play football. They also organise trips to football matches, run summerschemes and set up tournaments. There are junior and senior activities in several locations in NI.
Contact Alan Crooks
IFA
Windsor Park
Belfast
028 90669458
disability sports ni
Disability Sports has an up to date list of clubs and organisations that operate in Northern Ireland. There are many activities to take part in, from skiing to wheelchair basketball. Visit the website for more information or contact them directly
Unit 6
Ormeau Business Park
8 Cromac Avenue
Belfast
028 90508255
cedar foundation
They organise events, summer schemes, social evenings, arts and crafts. Contact the childrens services department and ask to be put on their mailing list to be kept up to date with whats coming up.
Telephone 028 90623382
Ni4 kids
This paper is usually distributed free in schools, and it also has a website. It is full of ideas about up and coming events all over Northern Ireland for everyone, not specifically for disabled children, but it is a good source of information
Leisure centres
The Following Leisure Centres have given me information on their access and their facilities for those with disabilities. Click on the link to see more information
Lakeland Leisure Centre, Fermanagh
Olympia Leisure Centre, Belfast
Shankhill Leisure Centre, Belfast
Ards Leisure Centre, Newtownards
Riding for the disabled
This organisation was set up to allow disabled children and adults to learn how to ride horses. They rely on volunteers to help during the lessons. at present there are 31 centres in Northern Ireland, and they are open to groups only. this may change in the future. Special schools usually take pupils for lessons during school hours. Other organisations are rehabilitation centres and day centres.
Phab Club
This is held every fortnight at Fleming Fulton School, and is open to all children but in particular those with special needs. They don't have to be a pupil in the school to attend and friends and family members are also welcome. There are junior (age 7-11) and senior clubs, the junior one meets every other saturday and is £2 for the years membership, then 50p every time you go. If you are interested contact the youth tutor at the school (028 90613877). The senior club meets every week in the evenings (tue and thur) and also they go away on holidays and trips. From ages 11-19.
Island Arts Centre, Lisburn
The arts centre run a wide range of classes for children of all abilities. Depending on your childs disability, there may be some things they can do and some they can't. Visit the website to get details of all classes that are running during the academic year and you can phone for more information if you need it. The staff are very helpful.
ArtabilityNI
This is a charity that runs after school activities for disabled children in North and West Belfast. They run a variety of clubs and provide wheelchair friendly transport. Contact Michelle for more information, and also visit the full information page to find out more.
Artability NI Ltd
137 Agnes Street
Belfast
02890244240
michellemccloy@hotmail.com
Positive Futures
Originally formed in 1995 and called United Response Northern Ireland, the name Positive Futures for people with a learning disablity was formally adopted in 2002 to reinforce the organisation's mission. 170 people now work for the charity. They have services right across From offices in Bangor; Belfast, Lisburn, Magherafelt, Newry , Lakeland and Omagh we provide services across Northern Ireland.
Positive Futures has a clear mission and defined values. For people with a learning disability, the services we offer bring independence, dignity, respect and the opportunity to live full and valued lives within their own communities.
Positive Futures provides a variety of different services including:
- Family support service
- buddy scheme
- housing support
- helping disabled children access mainstream activities.
visit the website for more information or contact them at the address below
Head Office:
2b Park Drive, Bangor, BT20 4JZ
T: 028 9147 5720
info@positive-futures.net
Parents For Opportunities
This is a relatively new group in the Lisburn area set up by parents themselves. The funding for afterschools provision for children with a disability was cut in 2006 so the parents got together and formed the group. They meet monthly and last year sucessfully ran 2 afterschools clubs (Tues and Thurs). The group also did a lot of fund raising and got some additional funding so they will be able to offer more activities and accept new applications in 2007/2008. There is a small annual fee (£10 at the time of going to press). You must be a member of Positive Futures for your child to take part in activities, and also be prepared to help out with fundraising. Recently the group has been able to run more activities, such as Horse Riding, Trampolining, Drama, Computers, Dancing and Swimming.
email info@parentsforopportunities.org.uk
The Action on Disability Project
The Action on Disability Project provides services to disabled people across a widening area of West Belfast. It has been in operation for several years and is funded by the Community Fund and supported by the Upper Springfield Development Company LTD. The aim of the AOD is to promote the social inclusion of local disabled people in the West Belfast Area. The organisation helps people with all disabilities of all ages in this trust area and operates on a referral basis. You can be referred by a social worker, GP, Paediatrician or even by yourself. For children the organisation provides the following services
- Afterschools for 5-11 year olds
- childcare places
- befriending for 12 years and over
- teenage support for 12-17 year olds
- Aspergers Youth Group 12-17 year olds
- summer scheme provision
- information and advice service
You can contact Anne-Marie McCormick (Project Manager) at the address below. She is very helpful and friendly. There is an information pack available and it also comes in alternative formats (Braille)
689 Springfield Road
Belfast
BT12 7FP
02890236677
Activites in Co Fermanagh
Roisin Henry is the DSNI inclusive sports and leisure officer for this region and she has passed on some information on up and coming events in the area. Here is a list of activites for children and young people with disabilities, and this will be updated over time.
- Afterschools club
- Youth club on Thursday evening for 12+ age group
- One to one swimming sessions in Enniskillen
- Summer Schemes and summer activities.
To contact Roisin call her on 02866326936
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