A new campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity and support people with learning disabilities has been launched by Mencap NI and Oscar-winning ambassador Dr James Martin (MBE) in partnership with Better .
In this exciting new partnership, a group of people with learning disabilities, led by multi-award winning actor Dr James Martin, will be working on a customized project to help prepare for Sunday’s Belfast City Marathon. You will participate in a physical activity and health program. May 5, 2024.
The team will benefit from physical health and wellbeing support from Better staff. It focuses on encouraging groups to improve their strength and stamina with customized workouts in the gym, access to swimming, and a variety of physical activities throughout Better’s leisure. Facility.
The group meets once a week across Better’s facilities to support each other, track progress, and build confidence to tackle upcoming challenges.
Commenting on the exciting new partnership, Karen Gilgunn, Communications and Influencing Lead at Mencap NI said: “We are really pleased to launch this new partnership with Better to support people with learning disabilities to take part in this year’s Belfast City Marathon.Mencap” NI’s values are We are committed to helping people with more and more live the lives they want, and this partnership represents our commitment to developing inclusive communities. We are delighted that our ambassador, Dr. James Martin, has taken on the challenge of leading the team and look forward to working with him in the future. “Better’s Values highlights our commitment to creating safe and inclusive environments for people with learning disabilities and we look forward to developing this partnership further.”
Karen Craig, People Business Manager at social enterprise GLL, which operates Better Leisure facilities, added: “Our aim is to improve the physical, mental and social well-being of our communities. Mencap NI’s values align very closely with ours in promoting safety. It’s a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone. Our team is really looking forward to welcoming James and his teammates and helping him improve his fitness in preparation for his race day at the Belfast City Marathon. We wish them every success in their training and will be cheering them on until May 5th. ”
There are 33,000 people with a learning disability in Northern Ireland. Mencap works to support people with learning disabilities, their families and carers, fighting to change laws, improve services and improve access to education, employment and leisure facilities. Mencap supports hundreds of people with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland to live the lives they want.
This work is part of a wider campaign by Mencap NI to support and promote healthy futures for people with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland. Research shows that people with learning disabilities are at increased risk of a range of health and social care problems due to health inequalities and the ability to access services within their communities . It also shows that the main barrier to participation in physical activity is a lack of understanding of its benefits. Mencap NI focuses on ensuring that people with learning disabilities have access to mainstream programs so that they feel safe to participate in welfare initiatives and live happy and healthy lives.