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Seashell Trust’s disability youth club the place to be on a Saturday

Sales Sharks coach Vicky Irwin, CADS clubber Ahnaf Khan and support worker Iain O‘Neil enjoy wheelchair tag

A national leader in education and care of young people with disabilities has launched a Saturday youth club in Stockport.

Cheadle Hulme charity Seashell Trust has welcomed its first group of 15 children and young people after its sports and wellbeing department secured £10,000 from Stockport Council’s Aiming High service.

There are already plans to increase to 30 places for people aged five to 25 with range of different needs with referrals from the Aiming High Short Breaks team.

The Seashell team, which has been running its CADS camps during school holidays for 15 years, responded to parents’ requests to expand the popular sports and leisure activities to year-round Saturday morning sessions as well.

Over a number of years, the trust has worked closely with Stockport Council to provide subsidised support so young people with a wide range of disabilities could attend the fully integrated CADS camps alongside their able-bodied siblings and friends.

Gemma Lynch, Seashell Trust’s senior CADS development officer, said: “The aim of the new CADS club is to give children and young people the sense of belonging, find acceptance, have somewhere to go and the opportunity to learn new skills, make new friends and have fun.

“The club will also give opportunities for parents and carers to have a short break from their caring role.

“Our activities will include cooking, cycling, swimming, arts and crafts, music, drama, circuit training, tennis and many more.”

Michael Ormshaw, Seashell’s sport and community development manager, said: “I congratulate Gemma and Stephen, the CADS co-ordinators, for their hard work in securing the contract and bringing the project to fruition.

“This has the potential to be a great collaborative service, providing much needed provision for otherwise marginalised members of our local community.”

Kathryn Dainty: Kathryn Dainty is a former journalist at the Manchester Evening News and a freelance writer specialising in charity stories and social media.
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