students from 菠萝视频 (BU) have been volunteering their time with various disability sports groups across Bournemouth and Poole.
Students have had the opportunity to support the AFCB Ability Counts pan-disability football group based at the Littledown Centre. The players present had a range of disabilities including Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Scoliosis, and other physical and mental disabilities.
Physiotherapy Lecturer Osman Ahmed said: 鈥淚t was a fun session and gave the students a taste of volunteering in this type of environment. They were a credit to the university and were all very enthusiastic and involved throughout.鈥�
First year students have also visited Victoria Education Centre, a special education centre in Poole for young disabled people,聽to help with the 'Wessex Warriors' Powerchair Football team. This version of the sport聽is an extremely fast and dynamic game for individuals who use a Powerchair.
Student Andy Boddy, who attended both activities, said:聽鈥淚 really enjoyed both experiences! I enjoyed going to see聽the Wessex Warriors Powerchair as it allowed individuals to play a team sport, which they most likely wouldn't have been able to before.
"It made me realise that there's a lot more we can do for people with disabilities.聽The experience has helped me better understand the different disabilities and how physiotherapy can help.鈥�
Osman continued: 鈥淭hese experiences are great for the students and I鈥檓 hoping that some of them will continue to volunteer with some of the different sport opportunities we are exposing them to in the future."聽
