Earlier this summer, We Too! was delighted to work alongside Denis Law Legacy Trust and Aberdeen Sports Village to deliver Play Your Way, an inclusive sports day for children and young people with disabilities and their families and carers.
The idea behind the event was simple. We wanted to create an environment where children could enjoy being active without the pressures that can often come with traditional sports activities. There were no expectations to compete or follow a set structure. Instead, families were encouraged to explore the activities in whatever way worked best for them.
On the day, more than 50 participants, from 32 families, joined us at Aberdeen Sports Village to take part in a range of activities including football, cycling, badminton, javelin and obstacle courses. A dedicated sensory chill-out area was available throughout the event, alongside refreshments and support from We Too! staff, volunteers and our brilliant Ninjas.
Looking back, what stands out most isn’t any single activity. It’s the atmosphere that was created.
Families told us they appreciated being somewhere they felt understood. Parents had the opportunity to chat with one another while children explored the activities at their own pace. For some, simply attending was a significant step, with families sharing that they had previously found it difficult to access community activities because of anxiety, sensory needs or concerns about whether their child would feel included.
The feedback reflected what we saw throughout the day. Ninety per cent of children who completed our accessible feedback board rated the event as either ‘Awesome’ or ‘Good’. Families described the event as welcoming, thoughtfully planned and a place where their children could simply be themselves.
‘My son was newly diagnosed so having a space where he finally felt welcome is special for us.’
‘This is what we needed.’
‘Everything was so well thought through to make the activities work for everyone.’
Above all, the day was a reminder that every child deserves the opportunity to join in, feel included and enjoy being active in a way that works for them.
Play Your Way was intended as a pilot, but the response from families has been incredibly encouraging. We’re grateful to Denis Law Legacy Trust, Aberdeen Sports Village, our volunteers and everyone who helped make the day possible. Most of all, we’d like to thank the families who joined us and helped shape what we hope will become an annual event.
