Helping disabled and elderly to enjoy sport
TODAY WE TALK TO SMILE THROUGH SPORT
What will you do with this year’s Wish money? The fund will enhance the provision of weekly sport and physical activity sessions, events and festivals for disabled people and elderly people living within the North East.
It will benefit people with a disability who have accessed our services previously but also will also aim to benefit and attract new groups and individuals who have yet to access any current sport provision in the community.
Tell us about your group. SMILE Through Sport is a disability sports organisation working across the North East providing sport and physical activity opportunities for people with a disability, mental health condition, older people and people with dementia. We have been established for four years. In the last three years more than 3,000 people have benefited from sport opportunities we have provided across the North East.
What kind of activities take place at your group? Disability sport activities.
Who is the longest serving member of your group? Our founder, Paralympian Stephen Miller MBE.
Tell us about the biggest or best activity or event your group has organised.
One of our best activities was our Celebration Sport Event which took place at Gateshead Leisure Centre.
At the event we delivered six different sports that people could come along to and try.
What is your group’s proudest moment to date? One of our proudest moments to date is the story and development of one of our current sports coaches Gareth.
We first met Gareth at a SMILE Athletics Festival.
He absolutely loved every minute of the festival and it got him think about getting
more involved in sport, other than just participating!
From this point on, Gareth joined us as a volunteer to develop his skills and knowledge in becoming a sports coach.
A year on from Gareth starting as a volunteer he became a paid member of SMILE’s coaching team.
Why should someone join your group? People should join our group to become more physically active by taking part in our fun and friendly sport activities.
What makes you proud to be from the North East using five words? Friendly people doing great things.