Member Article

CareTech Foundation collaborates with UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, Whizz-Kidz, to bring adventurous outdoor fun to over

This summer, Whizz-Kidz, the leading charity for young wheelchair users in the UK, will host four adventurous multi-activity days including adapted rock climbing, abseiling and water sports for 60 young disabled people and their families. This has been made possible thanks to generous funding from CareTech Foundation, and will give young people the opportunity to try fun new activities that may otherwise be inaccessible to them.

As part of the program, Whizz-Kidz will also launch a new online and in-person ‘Buddy’ scheme that will match older or more experienced wheelchair users with those younger and less experienced, to encourage them to share their lived experience with one another and push the boundaries of what they think to be possible as a wheelchair user. The charity’s Families Network will be a key tool in connecting families and carers of young wheelchair users, building a community that facilitates peer-to-peer support for those who have daily responsibilities to care for a young wheelchair user.

The accessible, inclusive outdoor activities and clubs that Whizz-Kidz already run across the UK are extremely popular and show the appetite that is out there for outdoor fun, that is specifically tailored for a range of abilities.

Willz, 11, recently attended a ski session hosted by Whizz-Kidz in Swansea, Wales. His mum, Eve, said: “There is nothing in our local community that I’m aware of for young wheelchair users to challenge themselves and meet others in similar positions. Whizz-Kidz has allowed us to meet families with whom we can share support and make meaningful friendships. We loved Skiing and now try to take Willz regularly. You have made him feel less isolated and given him the realisation that there are many wheelchair users out there.”

The initial Kidz Max Days pilot scheme that launches in Summer 2022 will be open to 60 young wheelchair users and their families. Building on its success, Whizz-Kidz plan to then host four Kidz Max Days each year for a further two years, growing in capacity to be able to include up to a further 160 young people and their families. The adventurous activities will be designed to encourage everyone to push the boundaries of what they thought was possible for a wheelchair user, building confidence, and raising aspirations for the future.

Director of Services at Whizz-Kidz, Jon Sawford, said: “We are delighted to partner with CareTech Foundation for this exciting Kidz Max Days project, providing accessible fun for all the family. Each of these confidence-building activities are tailored to the young wheelchair users who sign up, so they can try something new, learn skills, make friends and have fun.

“These Kidz Max Days, along with other services we provide at Whizz-Kidz for young people, aim to reduce isolation, enhance health and wellbeing, improve confidence, increase employability opportunities and build leadership skills.”

Jonathan Freeman, CEO at CareTech Foundation said: We are delighted to partner with Whizz-Kidz to bring adventurous fun to over 200 children and their families. This exciting and innovative scheme will allow young wheelchair users to be more mobile and to feel included. Wheelchair users face huge barriers to access local facilities and this problem has been heightened by the pandemic. We are passionate about supporting people with physical disabilities and these crucial funds will provide much needed assistance.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by CareTech Foundation .