Halton Access to Sport Forum

Thursday 15th July 2004

At HVA, Runcorn

 

Present

Ralph Owen – Family Link (Scope), Kath Parkes - HVA, Paula Parle – HBC (sports), Ian Rigby, Mike Fredson – Social Services, Stephen Brinkley – Greenbank, Phil Marchant – Youth Fed, Julie Shard – North Cheshire Brookfield Gym Club

 

Apologies

Karen Turner – Brookfields School, Ian Johnston – SS Peter & Paul

 

1.                  Minutes of previous meeting

Minutes were agreed as a true record.

 

2.                  Matters arising

Kath confirmed that she had received notification from George Ross that due to a long period of incapacity he had now resigned from Halton Disability Services and all other committees.  It was therefore acknowledged that the structure of the forum must now be made a priority.  It is understood that Erica has now moved away from the area and may not attend further meetings.  A message was relayed that Christine Ross was prepared to continue with the forum in the role of treasurer.  Kath will make contact to confirm this.  Positions of Chair, vice chair and secretary are vacant and members were invited to put their names forward.  Ian Rigby was proposed as chair and Kath Parkes as secretary.  All members will be informed of these proposals and other names will be sought so that appointments can be made at the next meeting.

 

Ian R brought copies of the constitution and Sport England bid.  Kath will copy both and keep one in the file and send one to both Ian R and Phil.  Sustainability is now an issue with less than 12 months funding remaining.  Both Phil and Ian R will look at this and Ian R may also take this to the Fundraising Group.

 

Ciaran was going to check issue of independence with the Charity Commission with a possibility of the forum becoming a strand of Halton Disability Services.  This will become an agenda item for the next meeting.

 

Ian R has received insurance estimates from Halton Insurance of approximately £150 per year but this has not yet been confirmed.

 

3.                  Brookfields Gym Club

Julie Shard was invited into the meeting to advise members about the gym club.  The club was established 14 years ago and although mainly self sustaining they have received small grants from Children in Need and Awards for All.  Last year they also received a £650 sports development grant from HBC.  The club opens two to three times per week at Kingsway Leisure Centre and is open for ages 3+

 

Monday 3.30pm – 5.30pm

Friday 8.00pm – 9.30pm

Some Sundays

 

Members pay £2.00 per week regardless of the number of sessions they attend.

 

The club promotes competitive sport although this is not enforced.  Members participate in low level events, displays, special Olympics and even the world games.

 

Programmes are run which allow members to attend and not compete and a recent development has been to allow siblings of members to meet at the club.  They are encouraged to participate and if they do not wish to take part it gives them the opportunity of meeting other siblings who understand the difficulties of living with disabilities. 

 

There is also a an adult group from 18-35 which introduces other sports and reinforces social skills.

 

The Monday session has about 38 members and the Friday about 20.  The Friday session tends to have the more able members.  The club has 11 qualified coaches.  There are currently places for about 6 additional members although the club would not wish to take this many new members at the same time.

 

Julie was thanked for her presentation and Ian agreed to visit her on Monday to discuss possible membership of the Access forum.

 

4.                  Promotional leaflet

Ian R has so far had no success with Printel who have sent him a number of leaflets but not the style he asked for.  He has received information from a Wirral company, C A Design & Print which is much better and prices look to be reasonable.  Photos will be taken for use on the leaflets and Ian R, Ian J and Paula will work on putting this together.

 

5.                  behaviour control

This was a problem with the Ashley school children which has now been resolved.

 

Date/Time/Venue next meetings            Wednesday 15th September 04   5pm  at Chestnut Lodge School

                                                                        Wednesday 17th November 04    5pm  at HVA