An inclusive programme of sports and activities run by Croydon Council for people with disabilities has been awarded Club of the Month for August by Every Body Moves, ParalympicsGB’s grassroots participation programme.
Croydon’s sport and leisure team run the Recreation Activity Programme (RAP) for children and young people aged 5-25. Activities include swimming, rebound therapy, powerchair football, dance, and more.
The clubs are designed to be accessible and inclusive for young people with a wide range of disabilities and special needs, and provide an opportunity for parents to meet other carers.
Felicia is the parent and carer of Cameron, 22, who attends RAP sessions. She said: “Cameron likes doing sports, so whenever RAP is happening he wants to go. He enjoys racket sports, like tennis, and basketball and he enjoys being able to try new things. He has also had the opportunity to take part in the London Youth Games and did well – he got a gold medal!”
Lily has been taking her 16-year-old daughter, Sydney, to RAP clubs for seven years. She said: “My daughter absolutely enjoys the activities – she enjoys the social aspect as well. The coaches help her to grow. For us as a family it means a lot. While she is swimming I can go to the gym and that gives me the strength that when she comes out I can take care of her and support her in the best way.”
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Lynne Hale, and Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, Councillor Andy Stranack, visited a basketball session held at Waddon Leisure Centre to present the award.
RAP is fully funded by the Council and delivered in partnership with local organisations such as SLiDE Dance and Palace for Life Foundation. Last year alone, the programme delivered nearly 600 hours of sessions and engaged over 250 children and young people.
Croydon hosted a RAP disability festival earlier this year and, in May, sent a team of six children to compete in the London Youth Games Para Swimming Gala. The team won silver collectively, with two children earning individual medals and four others securing two medals each. The entry fees and the team’s training were fully funded by Croydon Council.
Councillor Hale said: “It was clear to see how much the young people were enjoying the RAP basketball club – engaging in physical activity, learning new skills and, most importantly, having a lot of fun.”
Baden Knifton, Every Body Moves Engagement Officer at ParalympicsGB, said: “We’re proud to honour the RAP programme with this award. For their meaningful work in creating fun and inclusive opportunities for disabled people to be more physically active in ways that suit the individual, and for fostering a supportive, social community around the sessions.”
“Croydon is one of the youngest boroughs in London, and the Council run RAP programme offers a fun and inclusive programme. I am delighted that Every Body Moves has awarded it Club of the Month, recognising the dedication of staff and partners to our children and young people.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
Find out more about Croydon’s RAP programme on the Council website.
