Deaf Sports get Energy Boost from British Sugar

The UK’s largest producer of sugar has given a much needed cash boost to a local group in Peterborough to help more deaf people take up and enjoy the benefits of sport and physical activity.

Peterborough’s newly formed DEAFinitely Inclusive network is a partnership of local organisations across the city, led by UK Deaf Sport. It brings together representatives from the deaf community with sport and leisure providers, local charities and Living Sport the County Sports Partnership to increase opportunities, for deaf and hard of hearing people, to play, coach and volunteer in sport.

Currently only 9.9% of the deaf population participate in any type of sport or physical activity and one of the main barriers is communication. Now with the support of British Sugar the DEAFinitley Inclusive Network will be able to run a dedicated training event called “Effective Communication – Coaching Deaf People in Sport”.

Places will be offered to coaches at local sports clubs to help them develop their skills and the confidence needed to become better equipped when coaching deaf people. This will generate great opportunities for the hundreds of deaf people across the city.

Lee Dolby the Director of Development at UK Deaf Sport who is leading the development of these networks across the country said:

“It is fantastic to have this support from British Sugar and this will allow us to move forwards with our plans. We are so pleased that British Sugar has offered to support our work to embed DEAFinitley Inclusive in the city.  Having their support means that we can begin to roll out the much needed training which in turn will help local clubs become more deaf friendly.”

British Sugar who has their head office on Sugar way in Peterborough is very keen to work to support local causes and Fiona Kelman, British Sugar’s Organisational Development Manager said:

“This is an exciting opportunity for British Sugar and something we were very interested in getting involved in. Encouraging healthy lifestyles is important both with our employees and in our local communities. Helping enable more people, who may have faced barriers in the past, get into sport is a great initiative.”

Living Sport, who work in partnership with UK Deaf Sport to coordinator the course. which will be on April 23rd 2015 at Jack Hunt School in Peterborough, are keen to hear from any clubs that would be interested in getting involved and also any deaf people that want to play, coach or volunteer in sport but just don’t know where to go.

Please contact info@livingsport.co.uk or 01487 841559 to book a place on the course.

Full course information click here