Sports and Leisure Activity Programme (SLAP)
SLAP is a pilot scheme being run by the Dorset Mental Health Forum. The project's overall objective is to establish ways of breaking down barriers that often prevent people suffering with mental health problems from participating in everyday sports and leisure activities.
Sports and leisure activities are considered to be an effective means of enabling peer support* for those suffering with mental health problems, as well as a key way to improving an individual's well being, social interaction and recovery.
SLAP aims to encourage participation in a range of sports and leisure activities leading to an individual experiencing a fitter and healthier life-style. By providing opportunities for all people affected by mental health problems, who may or may not be accessing mental health services, our aim is to promote recovery and well-being in a comfortable, safe and fun environment.
*Peer support means support and understanding from others with similar lived experience.
SLAP GROUPS |
Badminton Club |
| Football Club Redlands Community Sports Hub, Weymouth. Weekly from Thursday 3rd June (2.30 – 4 pm). Cost £1.70 per person. |
Snooker/Pool & Social Club |
| Swimming & Health Club Rembrandt Leisure Club, Weymouth. Weekly from Wednesday 2nd June (2 – 4 pm). Cost £3.95 per person. |
Tennis Club |
Cinema & Social Club |
| Walking & Social Club Please email slap if you would like to be involved. A group can be set up very quickly if there is enough interest. |
NB: Please try to wear suitable footwear for all activities. Disclaimer: SLAP co-ordinators take all precautions to ensure each activity activity is conducted safely. The Forum cannot accept liability for any accident, injury or loss to participants or their property. Promoted and supported by: |
OTHER LOCAL GROUPS |
| Keep Fit/Cardio Club Telephone Kate Mason on 07900604445 for details of sessions at venues in Weymouth & Portland (e.g. Redlands on Fridays, Boscawen on Thursdays) and for information about other activities (i.e. swimming). Cost £3.00 per person, cup of tea or coffee included in price. |
| OakTree Club Social Night Meets once a week on Friday evenings at the Crossroads Centre, Weymouth. Free membership. Regular members enjoy various organised activities; film club, excursions to events and cities etc, which cost £1.50. Phone Andrew Court on 01305766193 or Tom on 01305812864. |
Please contact the Forum office on 01305257172, or Duncan Sinclair on 07890474591 if you wish to discuss any of the above activities. |
If you wish, you can download an electronic copy of the SLAP Directory for later viewing or printing.
October, November, December 2009 Progress Report
After the successful summer activities programme came to an end, SLAP launched the Autumn, Winter, Spring Activity programme on October 6th 2009.
The new programme saw the initiating of 3 new activities to existing ones, these being Snooker/Pool Club, Badminton Club and the Walking and Social Club. Unfortunately due to the bad weather, the Walking and Social Club has been suspended to the summer.
Both the Badminton Club and Snooker/Pool Club have been relatively successful with maximum numbers of 10/11 participants. The Football Club continually attracts 15 members and is the best attended SLAP activity of all. Swimming and Health Club regularly attracts 6 or more members. Due to poor attendance the Cinema and Social Club has been cancelled, cost being cited as a major reason for low attendance, though we are likely to try and and get it running again in the summer.
Total number of attendances for the summer programme was 589 from an average of 30 members per week. Total number of attendances for the Winter/Spring programme to date 18th December 2009 are already 460 attendees from an average of 37 members.
As can be seen, the Winter/Spring activities programme continues to be successful with new activities attracting new members. We look forward to a busy New Year. In mid November, the DMHF in partnership with Weymouth College and Redlands Community Sports Hub organised a 5-a-side football competition which attracted teams from SLAP and Weymouth College. This was aimed at promoting the Time to Change campaign and the “Get Moving” campaign. The competition was a great success, attracting a total of 5 teams. The competition was won by SLAP FC.
SLAP held its Xmas party at Redlands Community Sports Hub. It gave the opportunity for SLAP members to meet and talk with members of the Level 1 Sports group. With a raffle, prizes and buffet the event was enjoyed by all those who attended.
Duncan Ian Sinclair
Dorset Mental Health Forum SUR
Sports & Leisure Consultant
Contact SLAP
If you have any enquiries regarding the SLAP project, or would like to join in with the activities on offer, please contact:
SLAP
Dorset Mental Health Forum, 29-29a Durngate Street, Dorchester, Dorset
DT1 1JP
Tel: 01305 257172
Fax: 01305 261049
Email SLAP
