“Young people naturally use their individual strengths, passions and skills to bring out the very best in each other, no matter their starting point.”
The young people, aged between 11 and 17, got a taste of two very different activities under the guidance of experts in their fields and in state-of-the-art facilities at SGS WISE College in Filton, Bristol.
Wheelchair Rugby: A thrilling introduction
The day kicked off with an exhilarating session of wheelchair rugby, led by professional players and coaches from GB Wheelchair Rugby.
Junior Programme Development Officer for England, Jamie Higgins, and Welsh Development Officer, Mark Baines, introduced the basics of this fast-paced and physically demanding full- contact disability sport to the group.
For those who aren’t familiar with wheelchair rugby, it’s a fast-moving and dynamic game that combines elements of rugby, basketball and handball. It requires strategic thinking, agility and teamwork.
Bumper cars with a ball
One of those taking part described it as ‘Bumper cars with a ball!’ It is little wonder that wheelchair rugby is one of the biggest hits at the Paralympic Games and similar sporting events.
The participants quickly picked up the fundamentals, learning how to manoeuvre their wheelchairs to execute strategic plays. The coaches provided invaluable tips and hands-on training, ensuring everyone got involved, regardless of their initial skill level and confidence. The session finished with a crowd-pleasing game, which saw everyone’s competitive streak and newly-learnt skills really coming to the fore.
Seventeen-year-old Jozef, who contracted meningococcal septicaemia when he was 19-months-old, leading to amputation of his fingers and legs, already plays wheelchair rugby for his local club, using a custom-made wheelchair awarded through our Rebuilding Futures Fund. He used his experience in the sport to encourage others in the group to try something new.
He told us: “It was good being here and nice to actually play wheelchair rugby with people my own age, as normally I play with people who are a lot older.”
For me, the event demonstrated some of the strengths of our Believe & Achieve programme. Their beauty is that the young people naturally use their individual strengths, passions and skills to bring out the very best in each other, no matter their starting point. It is a unique environment where young people connected by a lived experience of meningitis support each other every step of the way.
Music production masterclass: Creativity unleashed
After an action-packed morning on the rugby court, Gloucestershire-based organisation The Music Works, brought their state-of-the-art fully operational recording studio – The Music Bus – to offer hands-on workshops in music production, lyric writing and a bit of karaoke!
With guidance from Music Work’s Ellie, our young people were coached through a session on lyric writing, which encouraged them to express their personal stories and emotions through music.
Several chose to use their meningitis journey and their day-to-day battle to navigate their ongoing after-effects as a stimulus to create powerful pieces. The therapeutic benefits of the session were evident with one young person saying that they “loved the freedom to create music” and all of them keen to do more at future events.
In the music production workshop, 12-year-old Jack was supported by The Music Works Tim
Jack’s mum said: “Thank you so very much to you and your fabulous team for such an incredible opportunity for Jack. He was in his element making the music. An excellent idea!”
A shared meal and lasting memories
Between the rigorous sport and the creative workshop, the participants enjoyed a well-deserved break with a shared pizza lunch, which provided a perfect opportunity for everyone to relax, share their experiences and bond over their newfound skills and interests.
Inspirational young coach and player, Kascie Higgins, who has cerebral palsy, shared how his involvement in Wheelchair Rugby had ‘transformed his life entirely’, enabling our Believe & Achievers to take a fresh look at the benefits of getting active and being involved in inclusive sport.
Day of personal growth and fun experiences
This event was more than just an introduction to wheelchair rugby and music production; it was a day of personal growth and fun, shared experiences. The participants left with new friends, new skills and a toolbox of ideas to improve their wellbeing.
If you are a young person, or you know one, who may like to get involved in Believe & Achieve or attend a future event, please contact BelieveAndAchieve@meningitisnow.org, and you can find out more about what we do on our website.
Find out more about getting involved in a Wheelchair Rugby session near you, and find out more about The Music Works here.
More about the five steps to mental wellbeing can be found on the NHS website.
