£10k big bounce for trampoline therapy service
A Stirling therapy centre which uses a trampoline during treatment sessions has received a £10,000 lottery grant to develop its services.
Forth Valley Rebound Therapy was established in September 2016 by Callum Mackinnon of Bridge of Allan and operates from premises at Stirling Enterprise Park.
The lottery cash will help to buy a hoist which will enable wheelchair users to safely access the trampoline.
Twenty-four-year-old Callum – who graduated in occupational therapy from Glasgow Caledonian University in July – applied for the grant.
He said: “We haven’t been able to treat individuals with a severe physical disability or wheelchair users until now as there is no access to a suitable hoist.
“The new hoist will allow more people to benefit from our service. It’s exciting to think that now we can welcome a whole new intake of young people and adults in wheelchairs and other physically impaired individuals. I’m grateful for the support and look forward to welcoming more users.”
The social enterprise is Scotland’s first and only open referral service for rebound therapy to help children and adults with various additional support needs to achieve increased physical, social and sensory benefits, by using a trampoline for therapeutic use. It has supported more than 70 children and adults with a range of physical and mental disabilities.
The financial boost from the lottery adds to other sums received, including a £25,000 from First Port to go towards staff costs, a £2000 grant from GCU’s business incubator hub, UHatch, and Santander Universities for business development costs.
Callum is delighted at the recognition his service has received in the short time since it launched. He said: “Since January 2017, I have received overall grant funding up to £46,000 and we have generated a small income from clients paying for the service.
“We also have a successful working partnership with two local authorities – Stirling Council and Clackmannanshire Council – which refer patients for treatment.
“The service has gone from strength to strength in the last 12 months and the support I have received from UHatch and other funding partner has allowed us to work with children and adults from the age of two to 55 years old with a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities.”
Director of UHatch, John Lennon, added: “Callum and Forth Valley Rebound Therapy Service have had a terrific year. These latest funding grants are emblematic of the service’s growth and terrific acknowledgement of the work he does.”