Aspie Avengers
The Pitch
Problem statement
Founded by an Asperger adult, ASPIE was registered as a company limited by guarantee in June 2011 and achieved charity status in January 2012. ASPIE operates as a social, support and therapy group providing vital services and is a lifeline to adults who live with the complexities of Asperger’s The aims are to provide Asperger adults with an environment in which they are given the opportunity to: • Understand and accept their difference • Gain confidence and improve communication skills • Build a network of support in the skills required for independent living • Access suitable education and training courses and develop employment application skills
Solution
Aspie Avengers Football Club, are a football team for young people and adults who suffer from Asperger's Syndrome. Being able to participate in football with each other helps banish the crippling anxiety and dark intrusive thoughts which can prevent young adults with Aspergers joining clubs which cater mainly for neurotypicals. We are applying for funding to cover additional coaching costs. Because many of the participants have seizures/backouts we have to have more coaches on hand for both training and matches obviously this is expensive and limits the amount of sessions we can run. The funding will enable us to run more sessions.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
The funding will enable us to expand/extend our autism specific football sessions. We are stretched and we urgently need funding to meet the growing demand we are experiencing. We understand our clients needs and work with them to improve there life outcomes, we have vast amounts of experience and are one of the leading charities in the UK that supports adults with Asperger's The aim of the project is to use sport to increase physical activity, improve health by reducing isolation, self-harm, suicide, sectioning and hospitalisation to improve the quality of life and prospects of our growing membership by increasing their confidence and self-worth through the sessions we will deliver.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| £16 x 2 coaches x 91 hours delivery | £2,912 |
Beneficiaries
30 people
Expected impact
This will enable us to run regular football training sessions as we know that regular participation in physical activity has shown to lead to reduced isolation, anxiety, depression and self-harm and increased acceptance of their condition, confidence and motivation towards remaining in or returning to education, training, employment and achieving individual and collective goals. The benefit to the individuals themselves, their families and society as a whole, is immeasurable. This project will reduce isolation and instils for the first time a sense of social belonging and inclusion that is vital for emotional wellbeing and survival. Without a sense of belonging, depression and loss of self-worth are intensified depleting motivation and ability to fulfil one's basic needs.
Track record
Members of ASPIE formed our football team, ASPIE AVENGERS, in May 2015. Being able to participate in football with each other helps banish the crippling anxiety and dark intrusive thoughts which can prevent adults with Asperger’s joining clubs which cater mainly for neurotypicals. All members of the team are excellent ambassadors for ASPIE, an organisation which celebrates and promotes the talents of adults with Asperger’s in a unique social environment in Worcester city centre. The team’s enthusiasm and motivation resulted in support from Worcestershire FA in ensuring we do things right and funding the strip. Disability Sport has provided weekly coaching from the beginning. In normal times the team trains 50 weeks of the year at KGV Worcester whatever thel weather. They play in the Three Counties Ability Counts League and the Sandwell Inclusion League. ASPIE AVENGERS were shortlisted in 2016 for the NLDA and Autism ‘Sporting Chance’ award for being excellent ambassadors