Derbyshire children’s charity first to deliver MATP programme
Chesterfield Champion, Fairplay, has become the first community organisation in Derbyshire to be trained to deliver Special Olympic GB’s Motor Activity Training Programme (MATP). The training will enable charity staff to support members with profound learning disabilities and complex needs to enjoy meaningful physical activity and sport.
Fairplay supports 350 children with a wide range of additional needs and impairments. The charity has a fully accessible centre featuring an activity hall, outdoor play area, meeting rooms, library, sensory room, kitchen and changing places toilet. Set up in 1992, by a group of parents who wanted accessible activities for their children, Fairplay celebrated its 25th year in 2017.
EFDS works with community organisations like Fairplay on a regular basis providing guidance on accessing physical activity and sport opportunities for disabled people. Last year, Fairplay worked with EFDS Engagement Advisor, Catherine Slater to educate their staff on resources and local opportunities available to the children and young people they support.
EFDS supported Fairplay by introducing them to Derbyshire’s Special Olympics network and the national Motor Activity Training Programme (MATP). In January 2018, 12 Fairplay staff took part in a training day so that they can provide MATP activities for their members. Staff will soon begin delivering an 8-12 week training programme with individuals, working on their motor skills and development in four categories: mobility, dexterity, striking and kicking.
Catherine Slater, EFDS Engagement Advisor, said:-
“It has been a very exciting journey working with Fairplay on the importance of disabled children and young people being active, and how they can help them be involved in local opportunities. Fairplay have enthusiastically taken up the opportunity to train their staff team to deliver Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Programme, to ensure that their members with complex needs have the opportunity to be athletes.”
Heather Fawbert, Chief Executive of Fairplay, said:-
“Working with EFDS and taking part in the MATP training has been fantastic for Fairplay. It has given our staff the opportunity to learn about what resources are available to them and to discuss the importance of health and wellbeing for young disabled people.”
Fairplay is proud to be the first community organisation in Derbyshire to complete the training and join both the MATP and Special Olympics Derbyshire networks. The charity is now planning for their Challenge Day in May and supporting some of its members to take part in Special Olympics regional and national events in the future.
The MATP programme provides genuine opportunities for training and competition for people with profound, multiple learning disabilities and complex needs.
