Disability Sport

Inclusive sport and physical activity opportunities for children, young people, and adults with disabilities or additional support needs.

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More Than Sport

Overview

Sport Aberdeen is committed to community sport and has a range of opportunities for children and adults with disabilities or additional support needs to participate in sports activities.

Where appropriate, we encourage people to access the wide variety of mainstream sport and physical activity opportunities in their community. If there is an activity you are interested in which you haven’t seen listed, or you are looking for something local to you, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Inclusive Activities and Venues

Sport Aberdeen is committed to community sport and has a range of opportunities for children and adults with disabilities or additional support needs to participate in sports activities.

Active Lifestyles

Location: Westburn Outdoor Sports Centre and various venues

Sport Aberdeen’s Active Lifestyles programme provides opportunities for adults and older adults to get active. This programme of activities runs at venues across the city and we aim to make this as inclusive as possible for people living with a disability or long-term health condition.

From exercise classes and walking groups to swimming and other sports, there is something for everyone. Joining our Active Lifestyles community will enable you to stay socially connected and active whilst supporting and improving your wellbeing.

For further information, please contact us on 01224 507701 or email activelifestyles@sportaberdeen.co.uk.

Aquatics

Location: Various venues

Aquatics Aberdeen provides a comprehensive range of opportunities across the city for individuals with additional support needs and their families.

These include swimming lessons and relaxed family sessions, offering a quiet, safe environment with adapted equipment, available at an affordable price.

For further information or to book, please contact us on 01224 047934 or email aquatics@sportaberdeen.co.uk.

Ice Skating

Location: Linx Ice Arena

Relaxed Skating sessions are held at the Linx Ice Arena, run in partnership with We Too!, a local organisation which aims to make activities more accessible for children with additional support needs.

Sessions are open to skaters of all ages and abilities with a focus on encouraging people with additional support needs to try the sport.

Steps have been taken to ensure a safe and welcoming environment, such as dimmed lighting and no music throughout. All carers attending the sessions skate for free and adaptive equipment is available. A safe space is available for anyone who wishes to take time out from skating with friendly staff on hand to provide advice and support at all times.

For further information or to book, please contact us on 01224 507762.

Skiing and Tubing

Location: Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports Centre

Developed in partnership with Special Olympics, these sessions are suitable for those individuals with additional support needs and provide a pathway of progression through the sport.

These lessons are held on Wednesday evenings and are suitable for all ages from four years plus. Please note some age groups may be combined. Equipment is provided.

For more information or to book, please contact us on 01224 810215 or email snowsports@sportaberdeen.co.uk.

Tennis

Location: Aberdeen Tennis Centre

Weekly adult wheelchair tennis sessions are available.

For further information or to book, please contact us on 01224 507748.

Cycling – Grampian Inclusive Cycling Bothies

Grampian Inclusive Cycling Bothies is a partnership between Sport Aberdeen and Grampian Disability Sport which is funded by NESTRANS to make adapted cycling more accessible.

The GICB project runs free adapted cycling sessions in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. These take place in traffic free environments and participants are welcome to cycle as much or as little as they like.

We have a wide variety of adapted cycles, including handcycles, recumbent cycles and trikes. Our sessions are led by qualified ride leaders who can provide support and advice to help you find the cycle best suited for your needs.

Whether you are new to cycling or haven’t cycled for a while get in touch or pop along to see us if you would like to find out more.

For further information, please contact gicb.gds@gmail.com.

Grampian Disability Sport

Sport Aberdeen are proud to be a partner of Grampian Disability Sport along with a number of other key local agencies in the Grampian area including disability sports groups and clubs.

Grampian Disability Sport (GDS) are a registered Scottish charity. They are a branch of Scottish Disability Sport, the national governing body. Their work supports disabled people to take part, progress and feel included in sport and physical activity.

Their vision is sport and physical activity should be open and inclusive for all people with disabilities across Grampian. By working with local partners and promoting local clubs, sessions and events, the charity supports opportunities close to where people live.

To contact Grampian Disability Sport, please email info@grampiandisabilitysport.org.uk.

What do Grampian Disability Sport do?

GDS support children, young people and adults with disabilities to find activities and take part in sports and helps families, schools, clubs, volunteers and community organisations to make sport more inclusive and easier to access.

Signposting

GDS signpost people to suitable clubs and sessions, making it easier for individuals and families to find activities that match their interests and needs.

A directory of local inclusive and disability specific clubs and activities can be found on the Grampian Disability Sport website. If you are looking for specific advice or information, please get in touch directly by email for more support to find the right opportunities.

Events

Grampian Disability Sport organise an annual programme of competitive and recreational events for all ages and abilities.

Follow the GDS Facebook page for details of upcoming events.

Activities

Sport Aberdeen and GDS are partners of the Grampian Inclusive Cycling Bothies project which overcomes barriers to accessing cycling. This allows individuals and groups across Grampian to cycle using adapted bikes.

Regular sessions run in Peterhead, Aberdeen and Banff to allow many people to try cycling and grow their confidence.

Grampian Disability Sport also run weekly community boccia sessions in Aberdeen. More information about the sessions can be found on the GDS Facebook page.

Education

GDS fund coach education through running courses throughout the year.

Membership

GDS offer a membership scheme for local clubs and individuals to join the charity to provide them with discounts on events and further information about inclusive opportunities.

Visit Grampian Disability Sport

Visit GDS Facebook Page