High Life Highland strives to be an inclusive organisation and is keen to be able to offer more opportunities for children that need extra support.A Highland organisation is searching for volunteers to support children with additional support needs.
High Life Highland is keen to offer more opportunities for children who need extra support to take part in games and sports, whether for fun or competitively.
The organisation works in partnership with Highland Disability Sport with the aim of making life better for people with a physical, learning or a sensory disability by developing quality sporting opportunities and promoting a range of initiatives that enhance pathways to participation.
Bryan Stevens has been a disability sports volunteer for over 10 years with organisations including Scottish Disability Sport and High Life Highland. His passion is basketball.
“My motivation for getting involved in volunteering was to be able to give children and adults in the Highlands a means to play sports on a level playing field no matter their ability – I never got this opportunity growing up,” said Bryan.
“It’s been hugely rewarding for me – I have gained skills and qualifications in basketball and wheelchair basketball and race running, first aid and so on. My volunteering in disability sports has given me a sense of pride – seeing my athletes being involved in sport from grassroots to a competitive level warms the heart.”
Fellow volunteer Marisa Mustard, who is involved with swimming and multi-sports sessions at Culloden, agrees.
She said: “If you love sports and have a passion for helping others, I believe volunteering with disability sports is a very rewarding experience. I see the benefits that young people get from having these opportunities. It gives them a safe space where they can meet others like themselves, develop physical skills and fitness and enjoy being active in a fun environment.
High Life Highland strives to be an inclusive organisation and is keen to be able to offer more opportunities for children that need extra support.
“Everyone has the right to be physically active and I think disability sport is an area that isn’t represented enough at grassroots and development levels. You see paralympic athletes but often forget that they had to start somewhere and the people who provide opportunities for disability sports are necessary for this to happen.”
Regular sports in Highland include football, swimming, golf, indoor and outdoor bowls, athletics, boccia, dance and fitness with multi-sport sessions, taster sessions and other opportunities available throughout the year.
Disability sports development officer at High Life Highland, Fiona Green explained: “We are lucky to have a successful Active Schools network across the Highlands, which is getting more children, more active, more often but I believe we could deliver more in the area of disability sports if we had a few extra volunteers.
“We need individuals from all parts of the region with an enthusiasm for sport and who are keen to encourage young people to be active and to help them to feel confident to give something a try. It’s not too onerous – we’re only talking about an hour a week of a person’s time – and we can provide any training that might be required.”
Alison Thompson, Highland Disability Sport co-ordinator commented: “At Highland Disability Sport our events and training sessions could not go ahead without our amazing volunteers, we are always on the lookout for passionate and enthusiastic new volunteers who want to get involved to make sure people across Highland with a disability can take part in a sport they love.
High Life Highland strives to be an inclusive organisation and is keen to be able to offer more opportunities for children that need extra support.
“We aim to reach all over the Highlands so making sure we have volunteers from all over is very important. If you are involved in a club and think your sport can offer inclusive sessions then reaching out is the best way to make sure everyone has the chance to physical activity.
“Our athletes are great and always show up with excitement for our regional events but if we don’t have enough volunteers, it would make it very difficult to put on these events regularly through the year.”
Anyone wanting to know more can email: [email protected]
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Publish date : 2025-02-18 23:52:00
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