New charity opens up sporting opportunities for young disabled people in Greenwich, Lewisham and Southwark

Young disabled residents will get access to sport opportunities thanks to new funding for a charity tackling shocking levels of inequality, isolation and poor health.

Access Sport will train 60 new volunteers at community sports clubs in Greenwich, Lewisham and Southwark to deliver sporting opportunities to 800 disabled young people.

The award-winning charity, which operates across the capital, works with clubs offering sports ranging from football and cycling to climbing and yoga, with an emphasis on disability-inclusive sessions.

It is expanding its reach in South London thanks to £110,000 funding over three years from City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charity funder.

Hayley Barton, Access Sport Delivery Director, said: “Getting access to sport is a life-transforming experience in many cases. There’s a huge increase in wellbeing and it helps them build friendships and develop the social and life skills which many of us take for granted, but which they often don’t have.”

Dhruv Patel, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s City Bridge Trust Committee, said: “Young people with a learning disability or a physical impairment often face severe levels of inequality, isolation and poor health as a result of being excluded from sporting opportunities.

“This funding will help equip sports clubs with the expertise, knowledge and confidence they need to offer inclusive sport, delivering positive benefits to hundreds of young south Londoners.”

Any sports clubs in Greenwich, Lewisham or Southwark which would like to offer inclusive sport are asked to call Kate Page, Access Sport London Development Manager, by emailing katie.page@accesssport.co.uk or calling 020 7993 9883.