Volunteer appeal as disability sports group thrives

Lee Campbell said the sessions gave him confidence "to get out of the house"

A sports and exercise group for disabled adults in Blackpool is looking for more volunteers after it proved so popular.

Together We Can Do currently runs sessions at Blackpool Sports Centre and has grown from just eight members in 2021 to more than 160.

The charity, which now also offers sessions in Fylde and Wyre, hopes to expand to reach more people.

“The members get so much out of it,” co-founder Jenny Morris said.

The group has grown from eight members to more than 160 since 2021

The sessions first started during the pandemic lockdowns as Zoom meetings after organisers said the disabled community was "hit hard".

After establishing as a charity in November 2020 physical activities began in May 2021 when restrictions were relaxed.

“Our main aims are to get disabled adults into sports and social activities and get them participating on a regular basis," project manager Joanne Martin said.

"We have been lucky enough to secure funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, which is a five-year funding programme."

Co-founder Jenny Morris said group members "get so much out of it"

Ms Martin said the money would allow the charity to "expand its operation in terms of the types of sport on offer and the communities we can reach".

“We are hoping to reach a wider audience over the next five years," she said.

Lee Campbell, who is a regular at the sessions, said the group had helped him gain a large circle of friends.

“I love meeting new friends here and playing football," he said.

"I like getting out of the house.”

His father Joe said the sessions had brought out Lee's confidence which had been "a big breakthrough for him".

Joanne Quinnell said the sessions gave her a sense of "achieving something".

Christopher Morris said the sessions had given him "confidence and focus" while Joanne Quinnell, who plays netball, said they gave her a sense of "achieving something".

Jenny Parker, who also attends, said: "It is very important that people with disabilities can go places.

"We are all friends together and we all enjoy it."