Provision of Adaptive Snowsport Lessons for People with Disabilities

The Pitch

Problem statement

We believe that all people have the right to access the unique benefits of snowsport, regardless of physical or learning disability, or injury. We work to remove the barriers to taking part so that disabled children, adults and their families can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of skiing and snowboarding. This access to exercise for disabled people is important because they have unequal access to opportunities to reach their potential, and to activities that improve their health and wellbeing, compared to their non-disabled peers. The barriers they face, which we address, are financial, low access to adaptive equipment and lack of access to trained instruction in snowsport activities.

Solution

Each year we deliver adaptive snowsport lessons for more than 1,100 people with a broad range of disabilities. We then support them to grow their independence and social networks further through progressing to recreational ski groups and holidays abroad. This particular project aims to deliver 24 lessons at our Hemel Hempstead snowsport school, for a total of 8 people with disabilities. This will lead to: - an increase in physical fitness, strength and balance - a decrease in feelings of social exclusion, depression, anxiety - an increase in social interaction and feeling of belonging - an increase in independence The funding will be spent on the instructor costs for lesson delivery.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

Disability Snowsport UK is the UK's leading adaptive snowsport charity,. With more than 40 years' experience of teaching and supporting disabled skiers and snowboarders we can help to get anyone on the snow and enjoy the fun and benefits of snowsports. We work in partnership with indoor and outdoor snowslopes in the UK to offer inclusive, accessible lessons and recreational groups to provide skiing and snowboarding for everyone. The lessons are delivered to people of all ages by a team of qualified adaptive instructors who listen, learn and evaluate our skiers and boarders' experiences and adapt equipment and teaching to suit each individual to ensure they enjoy a safe and fun experience.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

7 people

Expected impact

The delivery of these adaptive snowsport lessons will lead to the following impacts for the seven people who will benefit from the project: - An increase in physical fitness, strength and balance - A decrease in feelings of social exclusion, depression and anxiety - An increase in social interaction and feeling of belonging - An increase in feelings of independence Furthermore, with the progression from lessons to recreational skiing at the local Hemel group, there is also further expected long-term positive impacts on physical health, social inclusion, networks and feelings of belonging. We monitor the outcomes of our lessons through lesson surveys, our User Involvement Group, feedback via our booking system (Booksteam) and via member engagement sessions.

Track record

Through the following case study we give a flavour of how our work improves peoples' lives: "Noel" - participant at our Hemel Hempstead Snowschool - "I was involved in a road traffic accident in September 2019 and suffered severe multiple injuries, spent three weeks in a coma and underwent several operations. I was lucky to be alive but eventually discharged from hospital in June 2020. As part of my rehabilitation I have been learning to sit-ski with DSUK so that I am ready for the mountains again in the winter seasons. It is absolutely brilliant that DSUK exist and offer the opportunity for those with disabilities to enhance and enrich their lives. Having a great team of people and volunteers to support me has been a really important step forward in my future to be able to learn new skills and experiences under the instruction of James and his team at DSUK in Hemel Hempstead. I look forward to continuing my journey and keeping those lessons going."