Sports & Leisure Activity Programme (SLAP)
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What is SLAP?
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Autumn/Spring Activity Directory
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Progress Report
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Contact
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 experiences.
Activity Directory Autumn 2009 – Spring 2010
For everyone's mental and physical well–being! (Must be 16yrs of age or older)
For people of all abilities – an opportunity to meet and socialise!
Activity, location, time and cost |
| Badminton Club at Redlands Community Sports Hub, Weymouth Weekly from Tuesday October 6th 2009 (2.30 – 4 pm) Cost £1.70 per person |
| Football Club at Redlands Community Sports Hub, Weymouth Weekly from Thursday 8th October (2.30 – 4 pm) Cost £1.70 per person |
| Swimming & Health Club at Rembrandt Leisure Club, Weymouth Weekly from Wednesday 7th October (2 – 4 pm) Cost £3.95 per person |
| Walking & Social Club at venues in and around Weymouth & Portland Starts Sunday 11th October (1 – 4 pm) Meet outside the Spyglass pub, Preston Telephone Isabel on 07785 285893 to discuss further and make contact. Walks on Saturdays are another option if preferred. Essential footwear required. |
| Snooker/Pool & Social Club at Snookes, 9 Caroline Place (close to rear entrance of Weymouth Library/Wilkinsons), Weymouth Weekly from Friday 9th October 2009 (2 – 4 pm) Cost £2.30 per person (Equipment hire included in price) |
| Cinema & Social Club at Cineworld, Weymouth Fortnightly from Tuesday 6th October Meet outside White Hart at 6 pm Telephone Duncan Sinclair on 07980 474591 to make contact before meeting on the night Cost £4.50 per person |
| Keep Fit/Cardio Club Telephone Kate Mason on 07900 604445 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) |
NB – Please try to wear suitable footwear for all activities Promoted and supported by |
Progress Report Summer 2009
SLAP was launched on June 15th 2009 in the pilot–scheme area of Weymouth & Portland.
6/7 activities per week were established at various venues in the locality/community, such as the Football Club and Swimming & Health Club which have proved particularly successful; as well as Film & Social Club, Tennis Club, and Keep-Fit/Cardio Clubs. It must be noted that equal emphasis is placed on the social side as well as actual participation in the activity at hand. Many members have expressed this view to me.
Over a 16 week period there were 589 attendances from 40-50 individual members. On average this has meant 40 attendances from 30 individuals per week. The SLAP project has exceeded initial aims and targets with these figures!
With the launch of our Autumn–Spring Activity Directory we have, from views expressed by SLAP members, added three new activities. We will now be providing a Walking & Social Club that will operate on weekends, a Snooker/Pool & Social Club that will take place on a Friday, and a Badminton Club that will be held on a Tuesday. We have now expanded to organising at least one to two activities for 5 days a week (one of which is at the weekend). This should appeal to a larger section of our target audience. Therefore we should expect an increase in both attendances and new members.
Future plans are that SLAP should be established in other areas and towns in Dorset. Dorchester has already been targeted as the next locality for SLAP to be established in. Views have been expressed by people in Dorchester that there is a real need for such a scheme to be established as soon as possible.
It is also hoped that we might be able to form working co–operation with other organisations and parties from areas outside Dorset.
Outcomes/Impact of SLAP
Examples of the outcomes and the impact of SLAP can be seen in some of the following examples:–
Mr A – is 55 years of age and suffering from bi–polar effective disorder. From attending the AOT Sports Club for Level 1 attendees he now regularly accesses 3 SLAP activities per week. He recently asked to become more involved in SLAP and now helps in the promotion and organisation of the Badminton Club. He said, “When I first found out about SLAP I thought 'what a great idea that will probably not get to be established.'” That it has is fantastic for him as it gives him at least 4 activities to focus on each week and has led to him now leading a fitter, healthier life–style.
Mr B – is a male in his mid–30's, in primary care and not accessing any mental health services. 18 months ago he was living in a bad place that had led to depression and social isolation. When I asked him what SLAP meant to him he replied, “I love it. When I first heard about it, I thought, 'How ideal. It would be for me. It got me off my behind and participating in activities that I enjoyed in a safe environment amongst people suffering from similar problems.'” Now, through membership of three of our activities, he has joined a gym in the community and is accessing it for over an hours physical therapy five times a week. Mr B has become less self–isolated, more self–confident, and is a perfect example of what SLAP is about, how it is perceived, and what positive results can be accomplished. He has now expressed an interest in voluntary work for SLAP.
Mrs C – is a woman in her forties; in secondary care but not accessing services, an agoraphobic for 10 years and now suffering from stress and depression. At times she became so socially isolated she would have to ask friends to do her outdoor errands. She remarked how important participating in the Swimming & Health Club had become to her, it being in an environment that was ideal to meet and socialise with other people. She put a lot of importance on socialising with other people as a way for her to reach her aim of visiting Mexico next year for her daughter's wedding. She felt it was a lot easier to do when, by taking part in SLAP, it would give her the confidence, self–esteem and social interaction skills to do so. Recently she has joined a Ladies' Leisure Night at the Rembrandt Leisure Club.
Written and compiled by:
Duncan Ian Sinclair
Dorset Mental Health Forum SUR
Sports & Leisure Consultant
If you have any enquiries regarding the SLAP project, or would like to join in with the activities on offer, please contact Duncan Sinclair at the Forum.
email: slap@dorsetmentalhealthforum.org.uk
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SLAP
Dorset Mental Health Forum
29-29a Durngate Street
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1JP
Tel: 01305 257172
Fax: 01305 261049