Football fun day for local people

Local people with learning disabilities are taking part in a special football fun day at the Zone in Huddersfield on Tuesday 29th March.

The event is being organised by the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides specialist NHS learning disability services to people in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.

The football fun day will run from 11am to 2pm and includes lots of different activities and fun competitions from five aside football matches to penalty shoot outs.

Playing football has both psychological and physical benefits and the event provides an opportunity for people with learning disabilities and/ or complex needs to experience the thrill of the beautiful game in a safe environment with activities suited to meet individual needs and interest.

The event, which will be supported by James Doyle the Disability Football Development Officer for West Riding, follows on from the huge success of last year’s World Cup football fun day. While the World Cup may be something the England team want to forget there have been calls for more fun days at the Zone.

The Trust’s professional lead nurse for learning disabilities, Nigel McLoughlin, said, “We know that physical activity and social inclusion all make a big difference to wellbeing so this event is concentrating on these areas. We want people with learning disabilities who use our services to be able to try something new to enhance their wellbeing. Sport is great at bringing people together and building a sense of community.”

To find out more about future fun days and other events organised by the Trust contact the inclusion team on 01924 328656 or email inclusion@swyt.nhs.uk.