Published Thursday 14 October 2021 at 9:16
The Mayor & Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen joined over one hundred people with disabilities and their families at a ‘Sports for All’ festival held at Creative Football’s home, the 3G football pitch at Witton Park.
The festival was organised for people who are supported by Creative Support, Creative Football’s sister organisation which provides care for people with physical and learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs.
Sport England’s latest Active Lives Adult Survey shows that disabled people or those born with a long-term health condition are twice as likely to be physically inactive (43%) and we know disabled people have been disproportionately affected by coronavirus.
Being active, especially outdoors is not only fabulous for our physical health but can really boost our mental health too.
The activities were inclusive and fun for all ages and abilities, they included wheelchair races, bat & ball, football and guided walks around the park.
The Mayor of Blackburn, Cllr Derek Hardman, said:
The Mayoress and I were really honoured to attend the Sports for All festival and take part in the activities, it was a lot of fun and was a fantastic inclusive event. It was great to see so many people there taking part and being active in so many different ways.
Creative Support Team Leader, Debra Gago said:
The event was fabulous and really enjoyed by everyone who attended. Many of the people we care for live in residential and domiciliary care and didn’t see their families for long periods of time during lockdown so this event enabled families to spend quality time together, it was such a success that we’d like to hold more events like this in the future.
In the meantime, Creative Football provide informal kick-about sessions for adults with mental health challenges, including people with disabilities. To find out more visit www.creativefootball.co.uk, send a message via social media or call 01254 661501.
