London Metropolitan University is collaborating with Thomas Pocklington Trust to offer new sports to visually impaired people.
Date: 13 September 2016
As part of National Eye Health Week, London Met will be hosting an afternoon of activities in collaboration with the Thomas Pocklington Trust on Saturday 17 September.
The afternoon will be open to visually impaired Islington residents. The Thomas Pocklington Trust is a registered charity who are dedicated to improving the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted.
"The 2016 Paralympics show how sport can be used as a way to get people of all abilities involved,” said John McBennett, Sports Manager at London Met.
“Hosting this event means that we can offer people who are visually impaired the chance to try a new sport and break down barriers and support their dreams."
The taster afternoon was organised after it was recognised that many visually impaired people lose their fitness because they cannot join friends in games and exercise, with approximately a third of blind people in the UK never leaving their homes.
The activities are arranged by Metro Blind Sport, a London-based charity who encourage visually impaired people to get involved in sports, regardless of age and ability. The event hopes to encourage people to take up a new and healthy hobby.
“There is a great enthusiasm in the visually impaired community in Islington for activities which involve doing things with friends,” says Autumn Lynch, Vision Strategy Manager for the Thomas Pocklington Trust.
“We are excited at the idea of the Health, Wellbeing and Fitness Day to encourage our members to try out accessible activities such as Sound Ball Tennis and Walking Football. There really is something for every age and ability.”
