Adventure activities for all abilities
The 4A’s Story
Julie Lowe is the Chairperson and founder the 4A’s 15 years ago and recently she and her husband converted a stable block in their garden into the gym to provide mid week training sessions throughout the year.
“In my work as a Paediatric Physiotherapist I could see that some of my young clients needed more fun with their physiotherapy and as most have upper body mobility I realised that they’d be fine in a canoe. So we started taking them out on the water.
“As well as contributing to a healthy life style, the canoeing encourages our youngsters to mix with others, both able bodied and disabled and become part of the community. It has a positive influence on their motivation and self esteem, through their success has given them the confidence to have a go in other areas of life too.
All the young people in our group have special needs. They have physical, sensor or learning difficulties. Their physical activities are very often limited by the problems in moving, balancing, coordination or understanding. Through their personal achievements it has helped the youngsters with their self esteem, independence skills and confidence. But the wonderful thing is watching really strong, supportive and honest friendships growing through working together and having fun!
We are really grateful to Nottinghamshire Community Foundation and the funding that has meant we can buy five pieces of specially adapted equipment for our gym. These enable everyone to join in regardless of their disability and brings a feeling of belonging rather than isolation.
“All our group enter competitions and it’s fantastic to see them winning races, and competing at national and international levels.”
Who’s life their work has made a difference to!
Brendon is 24 and joined 4 A’s (Adventure Activities for all Abilities) in 2004 after his mum heard about the group.
“Joining 4 A’s has been a life changing experience in so many ways. I was stuck at home and life wasn’t great. This group has given me new friends, they are all wonderful people – but I am healthier and having fun, and have something to aim for now.
“I love being outside on the water racing against other clubs, I’ve won a selection of medals, cups and certificates and competed in Milan. I am training to see if I can win a place on the team to represent Great Britain at the special Olympics in Shanghai next year!”
“I love 4A’s – it has given me a new start in life and I can’t put into words what it means to me.”
Brendan has severe learning difficulties and epilepsy. He is unable to work, and used to spend most of his time at home.
The Bigger Picture
For people with a disability in this county there are three main barriers to them ‘getting involved’ - transport, costs and other people’s perception of them.
Groups for people with disabilities have higher running costs, due to their needing more staff and carers and they don’t have much of a choice of facilities available for them to use.
Statistics show that most disabled people have £2 a day to live on. This makes it hard to pay club fees and the transport costs to get there.
Support groups that have developed to meet the requirements of their members sometimes get to a plateau stage of efficiency which bars them from the many funds which only support development work.
As a foundation, we have to support the longer term good work of these clubs to enable them to be self sufficient. Every grass roots group and small charity, whatever their passion and focus, tells the same story of the constant pressure and anxiety to cover their core costs.
How many more lives could be impacted like Brendon’s, if every person running a group like Julie had the security of a firm financial foundation?
Can you imagine the difference it would make to our communities?