Pupils help break down barriers of disability
A GROUP of primary school pupils have been volunteering with a local charity to break down barriers surrounding disability.
Guernsey Mobility Let’s Go have been running activity sessions in Beau Sejour for seven years for islanders with mobility problems, now ranging from those suffering with Parkinson’s, islanders constricted to a wheelchair and recently residents at Le Platon care home.
The activities have been designed to be accessible by wheelchair and include curling, skittles and beanbag golf.
Four years ago the charity contacted St Martin’s Primary School for some help, with each Year 5 class running the weekly sessions, switching every term.
‘We got the idea from a TV show where nursery children went into old people’s homes,’ said GMLG coach Sue Duport.
She added that younger volunteers come with a handful of pros.
‘We chose Year 5 because they are the same level in height as someone in a wheelchair, a lot of the time people just talk to carers and not the person in the wheelchair,’ said Ms Duport.
‘The kids see beyond disabilities, the adults get respect from the children and vice versa, it’s a win-win,’
Emily Nuttall has been a coach for five years and is a big fan of the scheme.
‘It’s great for the pupils to understand different disabilities and break down barriers to be able to connect with everyone,’ she said.
Cheshire Home resident Colin Elliston was happy to have the company, while playing skittles, managing a handful of strikes throughout the afternoon.
‘It’s something different and it gets me out of the home, I always enjoy when the children talk with me,’ he said.
For Sebastian Richings, 9, the feeling was mutual.
‘My favourite part is interacting with everyone and playing the games, everyone is so nice,’ he said.
St Martin’s school pupil, 9, Tommy Smith said: ‘I enjoy helping disabled people because it makes me feel like I’ve done something good but it’s also just a lot of fun in general.
‘I’ve been understanding a lot more what disabilities actually are.’
The sessions are held every Tuesday from 1pm to 2pm in the Beau Sejour sports hall across two sections.
