Club Chat – Liberty SEND running club

Liberty is a charity which offers services to young people and young adults with SEND, including physical activity, in Burntwood, Staffordshire.

It was established by Maggi Huckfield, a youth worker of 22 years experience, following the closure of youth services in the area. They have been running for just over 5 years.

We spoke with Maggi about the club, the community, and the challenges of COVID-19.

Challenges in the local area

“The local area has hot spot areas of deprivation, especially in the Burntwood locality and Tamworth areas. The challenge for our members is that they have little opportunity to attend social or sport programmes independently due to their barriers and vulnerability.

“The running club offers those with SEN the opportunity to participate in sports and physical activities. It is a great activity for those with Autism who struggle socially as they are only responsible to themselves, whereas when in team sports it can cause real anxiety to be responsible to others. Running offers them the chance to be with others but not be responsible to the team outcome.

“young people have thrived by being involved in the sport activities”

“Sports are vital for young people and young adults with SEND as it enables them to participate in competitive programmes, gets them out in the fresh air and supports positive emotional wellbeing. It has been vital during the past months and the young people have thrived by being involved in the sport activities.”

COVID safety and the future

“We converted all our sports online during the first lock down to keep them accessible. We had weekly challenges, ran online fitness activities and had yoga and mum sessions on Zoom. We also joined in national sports initiatives such as the 2.6 Challenge and the At Home Superheroes challenge. As restrictions eased, we developed small bubble sports sessions and developed programme that enabled them to join in virtually or in person.

“Now we’re in the tiered system, we have returned but are very strict with the group sizes, hygiene and space. We have created an environment where this is just a natural process now and the young people are aware of what they need to do.

“We still have young people who are very scared to come out”

“Emotional wellbeing is going to be huge next year as more and more are returning to their communities. We still have young people who are very scared to come out and we are developing adapted emotional management programmes to support them. For example, we’ll include emotional wellbeing walks, initially on a one to one basis then slowly introducing their friends.”

Special thanks

“I would like to thank the running coaches Callum Huckfield and Sally Walton for all their support and the ways in which they have adapted the sessions during the past year.”

To find out more about Liberty, visit www.libertystaffordshire.co.uk

Twitter: @libertystaffs14

Facebook: @libertystaffordshire

Read next: Accessible activity in Staffordshire