‘Let’s Get Active’ event success in the North East
Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Sight Loss Councils are celebrating the resounding success of their ‘Let’s Get Active in the North East’ event. At the event, they welcomed blind and partially sighted (BPS) people to try out sports and leisure activities in an accessible environment.
This was a free multi-sport event which took place on Thursday 31 October 2024 at Newcastle Sports Central, Northumbria University. All were welcome to attend with no experience required.
Sight Loss Councils (SLCs), funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust, are regional groups led by BPS people. Together, we work with organisations to ensure what they do is accessible and inclusive.
Why are ‘Let’s Get Active’ events important to BPS people?
In the North East, an estimated 110,700 people currently live with sight loss. Similarly, between 16,000 and 20,000 people are registered as either blind or partially sighted. These figures are growing.
These events aim to ensure everyone has equal opportunity to participate in sports and leisure activities and become more active. Small changes in facilities and how sports and leisure sessions are delivered can make a stark difference to accessibility and participation levels.
Participants playing goalball
About this event
The event included a variety of group sports such as goalball, baseball, football, carpet bowls and tennis. The sessions were also led by our blind and partially sighted SLC volunteers, sighted guides and coaches from British Blind Baseball, Goalball UK and Durham Visually Impaired Cricket.
The day began with basketball, where participants had the opportunity to try the sport and develop their skills in a fun and supportive environment.
John from British Blind Baseball said:
“It was fantastic to be a part of the day in Newcastle, meeting new people and introducing them to our sport. Sight Loss Council volunteers did a great job showcasing what is out there for the visually impaired (VI) community – more of the same is needed going forward.”
Next up was goalball, a fast-paced, physical sport designed for visually impaired players. Coach Kathryn Fielding provided an engaging introduction, teaching participants how to use their hearing to track the ball and react quickly. The energy was high, and it was clear that many participants enjoyed the challenge of trying a new sport – some even expressed interest in joining the Newcastle goalball team after the session.
Kathryn Fielding from Goalball UK said:
“Goalball is a brilliant sport, and it was great to see so many people try it for the first time. We hope to see some new faces at our training sessions soon.”
After a well-deserved break, the event continued with two simultaneous sports: cricket and tennis. The cricket session, led by the Durham Visually Impaired Cricket, allowed participants to try their hand at batting, bowling and fielding.
Coach Emma from Durham Visually Impaired Cricket added:
“It was great to have such a variety of sports on show and it was a pleasure to highlight cricket to new players. The session went well, and we hope to see some new faces at our next training session in January.”
Engagement Manager, Jack Moffat standing with Durham VI Cricket team
Over at the tennis courts, the tennis session had a great turnout. One participant shared how they had always wanted to successfully return a shot in tennis. They were then thrilled to achieve that goal during the session.
The final session of the day was Carpet Bowls. This session introduced participants to the strategic elements of the game.
Coach Jonathan, who led the carpet bowls session, said:
“It was great being involved with Sight Loss Councils ‘Let’s Get Active’ day. I liked being able to demonstrate the enjoyable game of bowls. We did have a good amount of interest and several had the opportunity to have a go at the game, doing very well in the process. Resources were limited but we made good use of what was available. There was also an opportunity to look at the equipment used in the game and how it is adapted for the visually impaired.”
The final sport of the day was blind football, a favourite among the participants. In this game, players wore blindfolds to simulate a visually impaired experience. Participants worked on passing and dribbling drills, with many remarking on how difficult it was to control the ball.
Darren, a volunteer who plays for England’s Blind Football Team, shared:
“It was fantastic to see so many people excited to try blind football. I enjoyed being able to share my knowledge, and it was great to see the engagement from everyone. Oh, and I’d like to add, I won the penalty shootout!”
Join us
Passionate about making a difference? Want to influence positive change? Our Sight Loss Councils, led by blind and partially sighted volunteers, are recruiting new members. Join us today!
We use our lived experience to create positive change for others. Together, we tackle local issues and work with businesses and service providers to improve the accessibility of their services.
Join us to help ensure visually impaired people in your area can live the lives they want to lead.
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Publication date: 28 November 2024