All Inclusive Bowls Club Open for All to Join
The Pitch
Problem statement
In 2022 we did a leaflet drop etc. in Stowmarket, we attracted 30 new members. The cost of purchasing a set of bowls and equipment makes our sport expensive to play and so new members use the club bowls which are over 20 years old and of the wrong size. The new members then have the decision, whether to continue with the sport and renew their membership. We are a club that is open to all, regardless of ability or disability. At present we have a green accessible wheelchair on loan and rely on other members loaning equipment aids to assist bowlers. If our loan wheelchair was to be returned, we would find ourselves not having access to the green by some disabled bowlers
Solution
To have a club that is open to all and be able to retain those members and to be able to enjoy our sport, As a new set of bowls now costs more than £300, this would benefit our members who at this current time are unable to purchase their own set of bowls, but will provide access to current date stamped bowls that can be used for all bowls competitions etc. The other part of the funding would be used to purchase our own green accessible wheelchair (£950) along with bowls specific equipment and aids (such as bowling arms, walking aids etc.) to ensure we as a club can continue to be accessible to all.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
We are a membership club, and community lead. Our members cover all abilities, and disabilities. We have over 65 members including those with visual impairment, mobility issues and dementia. We offer guidance and coaching to all our members so they can enjoy our sport to the best of their abilities. We are members of BE and EBF and are associated with Visually Impaired Bowls England and Disability Bowls England. We have a multi-awarding winning club for those living with dementia, for our work within the community including the The Love Fisher Brown Award. With this funding we will be able to recruit further new members and retain our current members to enjoy the sport of Bowls.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Lawn Wheelchair £955 | £955 |
| 5 Aero Groove bowl sets @ £399 each | £1,995 |
| 5 Bowl carriers @ £10 each | £50 |
Beneficiaries
40 people
Expected impact
As you can see, we are very active in delivering in the community, (see the links to our many awards in the next section). We have between 30 and 40 new bowlers that will benefit immediately from this funding. This funding will enable us to actively promote our club again in 2023 for lots of new members further in the knowledge that we can deliver all we promise in our promotion and publicity for new bowlers of all standards and disabilities. Our track record for helping all disabilities in the community together with the funding will ensure the success of this project. We promote all our activities in the local radio, local newspapers and local magazines and we will be doing the same with this project to ensure our community is aware of what we are trying to achieve and what is available to them.
Track record
Our Club is very busy throughout the year and offers lots of facilities and support to our local community as you can see from links below. We also have a multi-awarding winning community hub (Stowmarket Town Council with Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council), for those living with dementia, visiting care homes, and inviting them to our clubhouse for lots of fun activities, etc. Also, we were Winners of The Love Fisher Brown Award A little more about our track record please click the links below: https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21467333.bowls-club-launch-community-hub-get-people-active/ https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21463225.bowls-club-volunteers-recognised-community-work/ https://m.facebook.com/bowlsdevelopmentalliance/photos/a.957264417624521/2762576590426619/?type=3&eid=ARCcF-i91FVzQjOI-vl8ZBcXWKb3xi4TcpOQhyLRNrwtK4kGcBwET1PQzcTMxw-mvhetHrZ6IQZfK6l9&locale=hi_IN Our community Hub Video https://youtu.be/Br0K0HKlaX4