We’re dreaming big – watch our video to find out more!

3 mins read

Thursday 4 November 2021

Tags: sport and leisure, better together

We’ve partnered with leading sports charity for disabled people, Disability Sports Coach (DSC), to make this video as part of our joint application to the People’s Postcode Lottery Dream Fund.

The Dream Fund gives charities like Contact the chance to deliver a project we’ve always dreamed of, but never had the opportunity to bring to life. Our dream is to expand our successful Better Together events we currently run in London with DSC so that hundreds more children with additional needs get the chance to experience the benefits of taking part in sport.

If successful, we believe Better Together Through Sport is a real opportunity to transform the lives of hundreds of disabled children and young people through weekly sporting activities.   

Mark Davies, director of income generation at Contact, says: “Families we support tell us that leisure and play opportunities for their children – after school, in the holidays and at weekends – are extremely limited and there are many barriers in the way like accessibility and cost. Children with additional needs who aren’t given the same sporting opportunities as their non-disabled peers also miss out on the countless physical, mental and social benefits that taking part in sport brings. Not having access to sport can have a negative impact on emotional and physical wellbeing and contributes to disabled children’s social isolation and lack of confidence.

“Working with our partner Disability Sports Coach we believe that, if successful, Better Together Through Sport will be a trailblazing opportunity to reduce the isolation that some children with additional needs experience and increase their confidence through sport. And because Contact’s family workers will also be on hand at these weekly sessions, parent carers will be able to talk to us directly and get direct access to Contact’s trusted information, advice and support.

Amardeep Gill of DSC adds: “Our shared values with Contact means we have worked closely in recent years to change the lives of disabled children and their families through sport. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together – but we know there’s more to do. The pandemic has increased the inequalities in society faced by many disabled children and families.

“That’s why we’re so excited to partner with Contact for ‘Better Together Through Sport.’ If successful, we’ll make a truly life-changing impact and enrich the lives of so many in need of our expert support.”

Our Better Together Through Sport funding bid is supported by Paralympian silver medallist, Dan Bethell, Surrey Cricket Foundation and Palace for Life Foundation.

Wish us luck!