BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy students from Bournemouth University (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: “It 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.”
First year students have also visited Victoria Education Centre, a special education centre in Poole for young disabled people, to help with the 'Wessex Warriors' Powerchair Football team. This version of the sport is an extremely fast and dynamic game for individuals who use a Powerchair.
Student Andy Boddy, who attended both activities, said: “I really enjoyed both experiences! I enjoyed going to see 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. The experience has helped me better understand the different disabilities and how physiotherapy can help.”
Osman continued: “These experiences are great for the students and I’m hoping that some of them will continue to volunteer with some of the different sport opportunities we are exposing them to in the future."
