A NEW project that will help disabled people gain life skills in their local community launched at Chill Factore.

Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Can Do Sport programme will work with up to 100 young people, aged 10-20, who have physical disabilities, learning difficulties or mental health problems by offering them community based volunteering opportunities .

The programme hopes that the skills gained will encourage participants to take-up further volunteering, training, and employment opportunities, depending on their age.

At the launch, volunteers were put through their paces by Disability Snowsport UK and joined by Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston and Leonard Cheshire CEO Neil Heslop.

Kate said: “I am delighted that Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Can Do sport programme is up and running in Trafford and it was great to meet some of the young people getting involved at the Chill Factore.

“It is vital that young disabled people have equal opportunities to participate in sports and opportunities to gain skills which will help them in their future. The Can Do Programme does both and I’d encourage as many local young disabled people as possible to get involved.”

The City and Guilds qualification that 'Can Doers' will gain through this project will be an additional item to include on CV’s and further applications for training, employment or volunteering.

At the launch, Neil Heslop said: “Today’s activity is indicative of the type of experience we’re trying to offer young disabled people through Can Do Sport, a programme that’s going to be rolling out across the country in the coming months.”

Contact cando@leonardcheshire.org for more information.