Richmond AID Factsheet
Accessible Sports
This fact sheet is one of many produced by Richmond AID. Our fact sheets can contain a lot of information and guidance. Some of this may seem quite complicated. If you would like personal advice from one of our helpline advisors or to make an appointment to see a benefits advisor, contact Richmond AID on 020 8831 6070.
Listed below are a variety of accessible sports and facilities within Richmond upon Thames and surrounding areas. Each entry is in alphabetical order by sport and then venue. A short introductory paragraph accompanies each listing. The sports listed are:
• Basketball (Wheelchair basketball) • Boccia • Cycling (Companion Cycling) • Horse riding • Rugby (Wheelchair Rugby) • Sailing • Swimming • Trampolining • Other sports • Leisure & Sports Centres • Other Local Sports Information • General Advice on Accessible Sports in the UK
A ‘General Advice on Accessible Sports in the UK’ section towards the end of the fact sheet also gives details of nationwide organisations which provide accessible sports and facilities ranging from boating to water skiing. It also includes information about the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics.
Different facilities and sports centres may have different equipment, access features and levels of support available. For example, you may be able to access a gym but use only one or two pieces of equipment, or you may only be able to visit a facility at a particular time. If you try to
1 Revised on: 09/06/10 use a sports and leisure service but can’t access it at all, you can challenge the provider under the Disability Discrimination Act. You can also make a complaint or speak to someone at the facility about it. The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requires service providers to make the necessary and reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people can use their services. Richmond AID can support you in speaking to, making a complaint about, or challenging the provider about their duties under the DDA.
For further information about sport and leisure within the borough, we also publish an ‘Outdoor Activities factsheet’ which includes health walks and other activities. It can be viewed and downloaded from our website or posted to you. Visit www.richmondaid.org.uk or call 020 8831 6070.
Basketball (Wheelchair basketball)
Aimed at younger people aged 10–18 years, the local wheelchair basketball group is run in conjunction with Richmond Knights basketball club. One hour sessions are held every Thursday between 6-7pm at St. Mary’s University College. Each session costs £4 per person and all equipment is provided.
Contact: Sports Development Team Civic Centre 44 York Street Twickenham TW1 3BZ Tel: 0208 831 6134 Fax: 0208 891 7904 Email: [email protected]
Boccia
Boccia is a recreational sport for people who use a wheelchair (and for those who don’t). It is similar to bowls and boules.
Teddington Sports Centre provides one hour sessions of boccia for both adults and children, every Monday evening between 6.00-7.00pm. Prices vary between Leisure Card and non-Leisure Card holders and these are either £2.70 or £2.90 respectively. Ticket prices are the same for both adults and children.
2 Revised on: 09/06/10 Contact: Teddington Sports Centre Teddington School Broom Road Teddington TW11 9PJ Tel: 0208 977 0598 Website: http://www.richmond.gov.uk/home/leisure_and_culture/sports Email: [email protected]
Cycling
Companion Cycling
This is a scheme which enables people who are unable to ride "solo" cycles for whatever reason to enjoy cycling with a companion in the traffic-free surroundings of Bushy Park, adjacent to Hampton Court. It is suitable whatever the degree of mobility or immobility of a person.
Each cyclist has an accompanying ‘pilot’ who may range from being a personal carer, friend, family member or one of the charity’s volunteers. Times of bookings and prices can be gained by contacting Companion Cycling direct.
Contact: Nancy Marks 9 Harvey Drive Hampton TW12 2FB Tel: 07961 344545 Website: http://www.companioncycling.org.uk Email: [email protected]
Horse riding
Barnfield Riding School
A purpose-built centre that caters for disabled riders, based at Kingston Gate just outside Richmond park. The centre is open six days with Mondays being a rest day and usually do not close until 10pm.
Contact: Barnfield Riding School Parkfields Road 3 Revised on: 09/06/10 Kingston KT2 5LL Tel: 020 8546 3616 Website: http://www.barnfieldriding.org/ Email: [email protected]
Horse Rangers Association
Based at the Royal Mews at Hampton Court Palace, the association is an organisation for disabled children and adults. For times and availability please contact the association directly.
Contact: Horse Rangers Association Special Needs Section Royal Mews Hampton Court Road East Molesey KT8 9BW Tel: 020 8979 4196 Website: http://horserangers.com/index.php Email: [email protected]
Rugby (wheelchair rugby)
Wheelchair rugby is a team sport for both male and female wheelchair users. The sport contains attributes of basketball, handball and ice hockey.
Contact: Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Rugby House, Twickenham Stadium 200 Whitton Road Twickenham Middlesex TW2 7BA Tel: 0208 831 7645 Website: http://www.gbwr.co.uk/ . Email: [email protected] .
4 Revised on: 09/06/10 Sailing
Queen Mary Sailability
Provides supervised sailing for disabled people. For times and availability please contact the club directly.
Contact: Queen Mary Sailing Club Ashford Road Ashford TW15 1UA Tel: 01784 243 219 Website: New website under construction
Phabsail
This is an inclusive sailing group which you can join from 2pm – 5pm on the first and third Sundays of the month between April-October. Beginners and experienced sailors are welcome.
Contact: Littleton Sailing Club Littleton Lane Shepperton Surrey TW17 0NF Tel: 01784 251318 Email: [email protected]
Swimming
Children with special needs can attend swimming sessions every Tuesday between 6-7pm at Pools on the Park, Richmond. The facility allows children with additional needs to access a less stressful environment. Booking is not required and prices are £3 per child and carer with £1 per sibling.
Pools on the Park Old Deer Park Twickenham Road Richmond TW9 2SF Tel: 0208 940 0561 5 Revised on: 09/06/10 Website: www.springhealth.net/richmond/index.html Email: [email protected] Fax: 0208 332 2345
Hampton Pool
Hampton open air swimming Pool has fully accessible changing rooms, a hoist and friendly and supportive staff available to support disabled swimmers.
Contact: Hampton Pool 98 High Street Hampton Middlesex TW12 2ST Tel: 0208 255 1116 Website: www.hamptonpool.co.uk Email: [email protected]
Hydrotherapy Pool
The hydrotherapy pool in Teddington is for those who require assistance during a rehabilitation programme or long term disability. The water in the pool is maintained at 34 to 36º C and is accessible to all disabled users. It has easy access hoists. Families and adults can take 30 minute open sessions and customers aged 18 and over have the facility to reserve their slots.
Prices range from £6.30 per person (carers go free) for 30 minute open sessions and £12.60 per family of 2 adults and two children. A variety of either open, adult or family sessions are run throughout the week from Monday to Saturday and any of these can be booked a week in advance. Session times are listed below. The pool can also be block reserved by any physiotherapist or organisation.
Mondays Open session 5.00-6.00pm
Tuesdays Adults only 6.30-8.30pm
Wednesdays Adults only 8.00-10.00am
Thursdays Adults only 8.00-10.00am
6 Revised on: 09/06/10 Fridays Open session 3.30-5.30pm
Saturdays Adults only 8.30-10.30am
Saturdays Family session 11.00-12noon
Sundays Closed
Contact: Teddington Hydrotherapy Pool Vicarage Road, Teddington TW11 8EZ Tel: 0208 977 9911 Website: www.richmond.gov.uk/sports_facilities /teddington_pools_fitness_centre/teddington_hydrotherapy_pool.htm Email: [email protected]
There are two outdoor and two indoor swimming pools in the Borough which have some facilities for disabled people. If regular swimming would benefit your health you may be able to get a Swimming Pass. Contact the Council’s Sports Development Team for an application form.
Venue Wheelchair Accessible Comments Access Toilet Pools on the No wheelchair Park access to Richmond Yes Yes fitness room & (Indoor & dance studio. Outdoor Pool) Tel: 020 8940 0561 Teddington Dedicated Pool & changing area Gymnasium & staff operated (includes Yes Yes hoist for pool Hydrotherapy access. pool) Induction Loop Tel: 020 8977 at reception. 9911 Hampton Pool Ramp up to (Outdoor) reception& pool
7 Revised on: 09/06/10 Tel: 020 8255 Yes Yes 1116
Note: Free swimming for people over 60 is no longer available, as from 31 July 2010.
Trampolining
Trampolining courses run at Whitton Sports & Fitness Centre on Saturdays in term time. You must contact the centre directly to book onto a course.
Contact: Whitton Sports and Fitness Centre Percy Road Whitton TW2 6JW Telephone and fax: 020 8898 7795 Website: www.richmond.gov.uk/home/leisure_and_culture/sports/sports_facilities/ whitton_sports_fitness_centre.htm Email: [email protected]
Other Sports
Active Living / Exercise Referral Scheme
The Active Living Scheme aids people in Richmond upon Thames to change their lifestyles to become more healthy, mobile and fit. It is a scheme primarily for people with ongoing medical conditions who would benefit from structured physical activity and/or gain from a better diet.
The Active Living Team should also support you in finding the correct physical exercise for you if you aren’t active but would like to get active.
Activities available are listed below, and more details can be found on the website:
• Active Living Near You Directory • Change4Life - Active Families and Healthy Cooks Courses • Exercise Referral
8 Revised on: 09/06/10 • Falls Prevention classes • Get into Sport • Health Walks • Healthy Hearts classes • Upbeat - Under 18s Exercise Referral • Weight management and nutrition course
Contact: The Health Improvement Team Room 117, 1st Floor Civic Centre 44 York Street Twickenham TW1 3BZ Tel: 0208 891 7445 Website: http://www.richmond.gov.uk/active_living Email: [email protected]
Actionnaires
Actionnaires clubs provide opportunities for blind and partially sighted children of school age to participate in sports in a safe, structured and fun environment. They meet on the first and third Saturday of the month from 10am until 12pm at: St Mary's University College, Waldegrave Road, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, TW1 4SX.
For more details on Actionnaires you can also visit the Action For Blind People website , or contact the Sports Development Team.
Contact: Sports Development Team Civic Centre 44 York Street Twickenham TW1 3BZ Tel: 0208 831 6134 Fax: 0208 891 7904 Website: www.richmond.gov.uk/home/leisure_and_culture Email: [email protected]
Dance
Fusion2 Dance and Drama, project for disabled young people aged 9-16 years and their siblings. Sessions include physical activities which will
9 Revised on: 09/06/10 improve flexibility, fitness, creativity and team building through drama games, dance routines and vocal exercises. Running for 12 weeks, this years’ dance dates are every Monday from September 13 to December 6 at Hampton Sports and Fitness Centre. Course costs £30 and the sessions are from 6.15 – 7.15pm. Please contact the Sports Development Team for more information and to book a place.
Sports Development Team Civic Centre, 44 York Street Twickenham TW1 3BZ Tel: 020 8831 6133 Website: www.richmond.gov.uk/home/leisure_and_culture/sports/sports_develop ment/rise/disability_and_inclusive_activities.htm Email: [email protected]
Saturday multi sports sessions
Weekly multi sports sessions are held every Saturday between 10.00am – 12.00pm at Shene Sports and Fitness Centre through Richmond upon Thames Inclusive Sport and Exercise (RISE).
Based on an ongoing programme, activities are for young people aged 9 to 19 years include Goal Ball and Trampolining. Each session costs either £4.10 with a leisure card or £5.10 without. There is also a £2 charge for siblings. Further information can be gained from the Centre Manager, Chris Percy.
Shene Sports and Fitness Centre Contact: Park Avenue East Sheen SW14 8RG Tel: 0208 878 7578 Website: www.richmond.gov.uk/home/leisure_and_culture/sports Email: [email protected]
Leisure and Sports Centres
There are many leisure and sported centres in and around Richmond upon Thames. Most of them are now accessible to some degree. They offer different equipment and facilities so you may need to find what
10 Revised on: 09/06/10 facilities suit you. Contact the centres directly, or Richmond AID on 020 8831 6070 for advice and information. If you are having difficulties accessing a particular service you can challenge the provider under the Disability Discrimination Act, which says that service providers have to make the necessary and reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people can use their services. Richmond AID can support you with this as well. Below are listed some physical access features of local sports centres:
Venue Wheelchair Accessible Comments Access Toilet Teddington Yes Yes Sports Centre Tel: 020 8977 9911 Whitton Sports Yes No No wheelchair Centre access to Tel: 020 8898 fitness suite 7795 Marble Hill Park Yes Yes Equipment for Adventure children with Playground disabilities Tel: 0208 891 0641 Amida Golf Yes Yes Tel: 020 8783 1698 Palewell Pitch Yes No & Putt Tel: 020 8876 3357 Sheen Sports Yes Yes Changing and Centre shower facilities Tel: 020 8878 within disabled 7578 toilets
The Bader Gymnasium
The Bader gymnasium at Queen Mary’s Hospital is purpose built for disabled people, with a sports hall and gym and qualified staff to advise and oversee the smooth running of the centre. Whilst booking times and
11 Revised on: 09/06/10 availability are given upon contacting the centre, membership is not required.
Contact: Douglas Bader Sports Centre Queen Mary's Hospital Roehampton Lane London SW15 5PN Tel: 0208 487 6040 Website: http://www.richmondconsortium.org.uk Email: [email protected]
Other Local Sports Information
Information about sporting events and venues is available at libraries or from the:
Sports Development Team Civic Centre 44 York Street Twickenham TW1 3BZ Tel: 020 8831 6133 Website: www.richmond.gov.uk/home/leisure_and_culture/sports/sports_develop ment/rise/disability_and_inclusive_activities.htm Email: [email protected]
12 Revised on: 09/06/10 Leisure Card
The Council’s Leisure Card provides discounts and special offers at a variety of shops, cafes, sports facilities and places of entertainment. The card is half-price for disabled people, and is available from libraries, swimming pools or council offices. Leisure Card office, Tel: 020 8831 6106.
General Advice on Accessible Sports in the UK
Accessible Boating Tel: 01252 622 520 Website: http://www.accessibleboating.org.uk Email: [email protected]
APT Charitable Trust Flying Training for the Disabled Tel: 01722 410 744 or 07990 554048 Website: http://www.disabledflying.org.uk/index.php Email: [email protected]
British Blind Sport Tel: 01926 424247 Website: http://www.britishblindsport.org.uk Email: [email protected]
British Disabled Water Ski Association Tel: 01784 483664 Email: [email protected] Website: http://bdwsa.org
British Rowing – Rowing for the Disabled Tel: 020 8237 6700 Website: http://www.britishrowing.org/adaptive Email: [email protected]
British Wheelchair Sports Foundation Ltd Tel: 01296 395995 Website: http://www.wheelpower.org.uk Email: [email protected]
13 Revised on: 09/06/10 Disabled Angling Association Tel: 01922 860 912 Website: http://www.bdaa.co.uk Email: [email protected]
Disabled Golf Society Tel: 01666 503 918 Website: http://www.disabledgolfsociety.com Email: [email protected]
Disability Sport Events Tel: 0161 953 2499 Website: http://www.disabilitysport.org.uk/index.cfm Email: [email protected]
English Federation Of Disability Sport Tel: 01509 227750 Website: http://www.efds.co.uk Email: [email protected]
Even Keel Tel: 01243 784321 Website: http://www.theevenkeel.com Email: [email protected]
Inclusive Fitness Initiative Tel: 0114 2572060 Website: http://www.inclusivefitness.org
Interactive (formerly London Sports Forum for Disabled People) Tel: 0207 717 1699 Website: http://www.interactive.uk.net Email: [email protected]
Jubilee Sailing Trust Tel: 023 8044 9138 Website: http://www.jst.org.uk Email: [email protected]
National Association for Bikers with a Disability Tel: 0844 415 4849 Website: http://www.nabd.org.uk Email: mailto:[email protected]
14 Revised on: 09/06/10
Phab Summit House, 50 Wandle Road Croydon, Surrey CR0 1DF Tel : 020 8667 9443 Fax : 020 8681 1399 Web : www.phab.org.uk Email : [email protected]
Riding for the Disabled Tel: 0845 658 1082 Fax: 0845 658 1083 Website: http://www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk
RYA Sailability Tel: 0845 345 0403 Fax: 023 8060 4286 Website: http://ryasailability.org.uk Email: [email protected]
Scuba Diving Tel: 01784 488007 Website: http://www.wraysbury.ws Email: [email protected]
Special Olympics Great Britain Tel: 020 7247 8891 Website: http://www.sogb.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
Volleyballengland – Sitting Volleybal l Tel: 01509 227722 Website: http://www.volleyballengland.org Email: [email protected]
Whizz Kidz Tel: 020 7233 6600 Website: http://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk Email: [email protected]
15 Revised on: 09/06/10
Richmond AID does not endorse, promote or support any product, company, organisation or service listed above. Although we work hard to ensure our details are correct and updated regularly, we cannot guarantee these details are accurate. If you notice any mistakes or omissions please contact us on 020 8831 6070 or at [email protected] .
For more information, or to get this factsheet in an alternative format, please contact Richmond AID on:
Advice Line: 020 8831 6070 Textphone: 020 8831 6078 Mobile/SMS: 07894 215 835 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.richmondaid.org.uk Address: Disability Action & Advice Centre, 4 Waldegrave Road, Teddington, TW11 8HT
Factsheets are also available to download for free from our website.
16 Revised on: 09/06/10