Council and Autism NI to Pilot A.S.D. Friendly Leisure Pool Sessions
July 22, 2016
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council recently received a petition with some 2000 signatures requesting it consider three matters. The provision of autism friendly swim & leisure pool sessions, the introduction of specialist summer schemes at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex to accommodate children with special needs and disabilities and for all LeisurePlex staff to be trained in autism awareness.
Work on two of these issues was already underway prior to receiving the petition. Summer schemes are already provided on an inclusive basis, and the Council in partnership with the South East Health & Social Care Trust has this year developed a further two week summer scheme to operate at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex, for children with more complex disabilities.
Arrangements were also already in hand to ensure relevant staff have received disability and autism awareness training.
With regard to swim sessions, following the handover of the petition, the Council met with representatives from the petition group as well as a number of local charities and support groups for those with autism and their families.
Discussions at this meeting reflected the diverse range of opinions across these groups, all with valid points of view, as to the most appropriate way forward, with some seeking exclusive sessions at the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex, while others expressed a strong preference for promoting inclusivity within existing sessions at the facility.
The wide spread of views expressed at this meeting reflects the complexities involved in providing for individuals on the ASD spectrum, and as a result there was no strong consensus on the way forward.
While it has been the Council objective to provide public leisure services on an inclusive basis, in recognition of those who signed the petition, it was keen to reach some sort of early accommodation to provide allocated time within the week for those with autism who wish to attend the leisure pool outside busy public sessions.
As a result of this meeting and further discussions with Autism NI, Northern Ireland’s largest autism support charity, the Council and Autism NI are pleased to announce they have entered into an arrangement whereby Autism NI will hire the Leisure Pool to facilitate a pilot A.S.D friendly leisure pool session.
To ensure the sessions are more friendly to those with autism, the sessions will initially only be open to individuals, their carers and their families and be limited to a maximum of 120 [including carers].
The initial pilot of 3 sessions will run on a fortnightly basis commencing at 7:30pm on Tuesday 26th July and will last for 1 hour. The sessions will be allocated on a first come first served basis and must be booked online in advance with booking available at www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/autismni and following the links to Lagan Valley LeisurePlex and Autism NI Closed Session.
Following the pilot period ongoing provisions of sessions will be reviewed.
To confirm they have ASD, participants will be required to produce their Autism NI Membership Card in order to gain entry, although access arrangements will be reviewed after the initial trial period. It is hoped the restricted numbers will ensure participants have the opportunity to avail of the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex in a controlled relaxed environment.
Councillor Tim Morrow Chair Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Leisure & Community Services Committee said:
“I am pleased Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council have been able to facilitate the booking of the Leisure Pool by Autism NI to provide a session for A.S.D families. The provision for A.S.D. customers will continue to be reviewed following the trial period as the Council strives to provide a holistic programme of activities for all residents of the City.
“On behalf of the Council, I would also like to thank everybody involved in this process to date, including all the local groups and petition organisers and signatories’ for continuing to highlight the needs of those with autism,” said Councillor Morrow.
Autism NI Corporate Fundraising Manager Sarah-Jayne Cassells said: “Autism NI is delighted to work in partnership with Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council to provide A.S.D. friendly leisure pool sessions in Lagan Valley LeisurePlex. These sessions will be open to Autism NI members and will offer our Autism families a quiet and relaxed environment to enjoy the great facilities the LeisurePlex has to offer. Many individuals with Autism find it difficult to access leisure activities during times of high capacity and therefore this is a great initiative which we hope will be repeated over other public Authorities in Northern Ireland.”