Bury College has recently benefited from a round of funding from the Sport England Toyota Parasport Fund, enabling an increased number of Foundation Studies students with learning difficulties or disabilities to access and engage in sporting activities.
The Toyota Parasport Fund aims to help young people with a learning disability or difficulty to play and enjoy sport, linking them with activities already available in the community. This range of sports and activities includes angling, Zumba, swimming, cycling and football.
Over this academic year, 85 Bury College students have participated in this wide range of sporting activities. One group tried fishing for the first time, supported by Ramsbottom Angling Association.
Tammy Davis, Assistant Curriculum Manager of Foundation Studies, praised those who helped give our students a fantastic experience. Tammy said: “Allan and the other anglers at Ramsbottom Angling Association have been fantastic with all our learners, engaging them in fishing for the first time. We want to make this a regular activity for our learners each year. We've all thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Bury College Sports tutor Scott Carnegie was also delighted with the impact that funding has had: "Receiving the funding from Toyota Parasport has meant that students and the College have been able to link with various providers in the community that we don't usually have the resources to access. Due to the popularity of these activities with our students, the plan is to sustain them into the future.”
Scott witnessed first-hand how these activities benefitted student Muhammad-Junaid Asif. Known as Junaid to staff and students, he took part in the football sessions and represented the college at the Greater Manchester Inclusion Football tournaments throughout the year.
Scott added: “Having this opportunity has helped develop Junaid’s skills in teamwork, communication and leadership. His confidence has grown throughout the year, and he is now looking at playing football for a local club.”
Our Foundation Studies programmes offer opportunities for students with additional educational needs to develop skills for a successful working life or independent living. Click here for more information: https://burycollege.ac.uk/search/courses?query=foundation%20studies
