Subject - Monday Sports Drop In

Posted : (Tuesday 18th March 2008 ) By - chris (Registered User)Location: Lifestyle Centre, Woodhouse Park. Portway

Time: Mondays 1 – 3pm

Target group: Men. The group is intended to be socially inclusive. We recognise that people who have mental health problems may need support and also that having a familiar face is important. We work a system where there are “no labels”, personal history is not discussed. There is no distinction between staff and service user; nobody will be made aware of diagnosis unless the person mentions it.

What Happens: Primarily this is a sports drop in, we have use of the sports hall and the football pitches. For the first hour we play general sports in the hall, badminton, basketball, table tennis etc. The second hour is football based. Generally this is outside but if the weather is particularly bad we have the option to play in the sports hall.
In place already are links with other sports groups in the North West, particularly football. We hope in time to provide teams to participate in local tournaments, league etc.
We are developing links with Sports Development; they will attend at least monthly and offer free coaching and or refereeing courses for Manchester residents. Sports Development also offer “Taster” sessions in other sports. The first of these was Touch Rugby on Dec 17th. Following on from this regular coaching sessions are being offered for a trial period, up to Easter.
A volunteer is selling drinks, crisps and chocolate, this is something we hope to develop in time, looking at possibly approaching local collages for students doing NVQ in catering to provide a more comprehensive snack service.
Computer access is available at a small cost, 20p for half an hour.
From 21st Jan 08 Simon from Studio One will be facilitating a photography group. This is planned to be an ongoing project.

How do you refer? As previously stated this is a drop in, therefore we cannot demand any information. We do however request that if you are suggesting someone attends that a discrete conversation takes place with either Tony Shepard or Alasdair Caddell to discuss any relevant information. Risk assessment, behaviour issues etc. also as previously mentioned we recognise that service users will be more comfortable with familiar faces so it may be beneficial if staff are present initially. Our agreement with the Lifestyle centre is that we are responsible for “policing” the sessions, so it is important that if users require support we are aware of this. The other point to make about staff support is that given the nature of the group if you are supporting someone to attend it is beneficial if you take part in an activity this will help to promote our “No Label” policy.

Cost: At present sessions are free. We would like to continue as free sessions, but the building costs money to hire. £20 per session until Easter when rent will be re negotiated. It is essential that people who use the service are seen to be contributing to the cost. What we propose to do to this end is to discuss how as a group of people we can raise money to pay for the rent of the facility. We are also going to be discussing with our services options regarding financial support.