Swindon Bats blind bowling group 'stops isolation'

Becky Harrison said it was important to befriend people who knew what she was going through

An award-winning ten-pin bowling team is helping to "stop isolation" for people who are blind and partially sighted.

The Swindon Bats compete in the British Blind Sport UK league, and won a BBC Make a Difference Award in September.

Member Becky Harrison said the group helped her deal with her sight loss last year.

"It can be really scary and quite frightening when you do lose your sight," she explained.

The club won BBC Wiltshire's Together award at the Make a Difference Awards.

The award is given to "an individual or group of people who create real change by breaking down barriers and bringing together people from different walks of life for a common cause".

Sue Mead, a Swindon Bats member for 16 years, said winning was "amazing, it was fantastic".

"We were so lucky because we were picked out of so many people. It was just a real recognition for all the work that a lot of people have done as part of the Bats."

Sue Mead said it meant "so much" that Swindon Bats had won the award

The club has been running for 17 years, with members playing in teams - each with a 'spotter' with full vision who calls out which pins have fallen. 

Each pin is numbered and players memorise where they are. 

Ms Harrison said the group was also "a really good chance to get together and have a bit of a giggle".

"It stops that isolation that sight loss can bring and makes sure that people feel connected and make sure that nobody's left us alone on that journey," she added.

The meet-ups also create an opportunity for players' guide dogs to socialise.

Glynn Evans said the dogs "play well together", adding that the sessions were "enjoyable" with "great" people.

Players say they enjoy socialising while they bowl

"I've been coming along with us over the last two years," said Davis Powell.

"[I'm] not very good but I enjoy it," he added.

Ms Mead said the award win was "a really nice way" to thank everyone involved in the club.

"We're all volunteers and we take our own time to do it. It meant so much for us to get that recognition."

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