Upside Down Sports Club

Registered Charity Number: 1045621

Upside Down Sports Club is a UK-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing sporting and social opportunities for children and young people who use wheelchairs. The club primarily serves members in Cambridgeshire, England, and is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where wheelchair users can enjoy adapted sports and recreational activities.

Mission and Activities

The club aims to enable young wheelchair users to participate in a variety of sports and social activities, encouraging physical activity, social interaction, and personal development. The core of the club’s activities centers around monthly sports taster sessions held at One Leisure, St Neots, Cambridgeshire. These sessions are supplemented by additional trips and activities throughout the year, including outings such as boat trips and skiing, which are subsidized when possible.

Membership and Participation

Membership is open to wheelchair users up to the age of 18, although some established members may continue participating if their needs can still be met by the club. All members are wheelchair users, including those who use manual or powered wheelchairs. The club welcomes members with a range of abilities and additional needs, including learning difficulties, sensory impairments, and complex communication challenges. Activities are adapted to be inclusive of all members.

Parents or carers are generally required to remain on site during sessions to support their young person, unless the member can participate independently. The club values the development of lasting friendships not only among members but also among their families, providing a network of mutual support.

Organization and Volunteers

Upside Down Sports Club is entirely volunteer-run, with many volunteers being parents of members. Some sessions are led by club volunteers, while others are conducted by visiting coaches specializing in different sports. Volunteers undergo standard safeguarding checks, including enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

Fees and Fundraising

Annual membership fees are set at £30, which covers attendance at monthly sessions and includes a club polo shirt for the first year. Additional costs may apply for special activities or trips, although the club strives to subsidize expenses where funding allows. The organization also welcomes support from volunteers interested in helping during sessions or contributing to fundraising efforts.

Impact

The club has provided a supportive and engaging community for young wheelchair users for over a decade. It promotes not only physical activity but also social inclusion, independence, and friendships among children and young people with disabilities and their families.

Note: This article is based on information available from official sources related to Upside Down Sports Club, including the organization’s website and Charity Commission registration details.

[1] https://upsidedownsportsclub.co.uk/About/ [2] https://www.upsidedownsportsclub.co.uk [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1045621 [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1045621/contact-information [5] https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/upside-down-sports-club