Blind and partially-sighted people are twice as likely to be inactive, and less likely to participate in sport compared to those without visual impairments. ConnectSport's Emma Seligman visited Fulham Reach Boat Club to find out how it is tackling these issues.
For many, rowing is a source of freedom, tranquillity, discipline, and community. Yet, for people with disabilities, access to the sport is often restricted by logistical and societal barriers.
That’s why Fulham Reach Boat Club, a sport for development charity based on the Hammersmith waterfront, is committed to turning the tide on accessible sport.
OPPORTUNITIES
“Everything we do here is about giving opportunities,” says Julia Philipson, the club’s Chief of Community Development.
Focusing on three key impact areas – youth development, crime reduction and accessible rowing – Fulham Reach Boat Club aims to transform lives through rowing.
"We know how important sport is to people, and how movement and physical activity can improve people’s life chances,” Philipson added.
The club's latest initiative 'Row the Rhythm' is designed to make rowing accessible to adults with visual impairments. Structured across 10 sessions, the programme gives participants the chance to experience all the benefits rowing has to offer in an inclusive and supportive environment.
ACCESSIBLE
“We realise that many people will never have the opportunity to get out on the water because of having a disability.
“Our accessible rowing programme works with disabled people and enables them to get out on the River Thames, feel that freedom of movement, get more physical activity into their lives, and become part of our community.”
The 10 slots on the course were quickly filled, with participants traveling from as far as Ipswich to take part, highlighting the unmet demand for disability sport opportunities.
According to research from Royal National Institute of Blind People, and British Blind Sport, blind and partially-sighted people are twice as likely to be inactive, and less likely to participate in sport compared to those without visual impairments.
OPPORTUNITY
As Adam Freeman-Pask, the club’s Chief Executive (pictured below), notes “getting into sport, across any sport is challenging for people with disabilities. There’s lots of research to show it’s something people really want to do, but there’s just not the opportunity there to do it.”
Many sporting venues lack the necessary facilities to accommodate such individuals. Other barriers, such as insufficient funding and a shortage of trained coaches, further hinder participation.
At Fulham Reach Boat Club, however, the entire site is located on one accessible ground floor, just a short walk from Hammersmith Tube Station, with support in place to guide participants to and from the venue. In addition, funding from Love Rowing - British Rowing's Charitable Foundation - and the dedication of volunteer coaches make this course possible.
One of those coaches, Charlotte, has first-hand experience with partial sightedness, having lost a significant amount of her vision since last Christmas.
“Because of the condition, I am not able to do my day job as a barrister,” she shared.
INTERACTION
“So, when I was told about the visually impaired rowing here at Fulham Reach and asked to get involved, I was really excited about it, having had the experience of rowing, but also now visual impairment.”
It is not only the physical benefits of sport that people with disabilities are so often deprived of, but also the social benefits.
One Row the Rhythm participant, Ashley, emphasised the importance of sport as a means of “social interaction and meeting new friends and colleagues, which disabled people sometimes don’t have the opportunity for and are discriminated against when it comes to entering mainstream sports”.
During the two-hour sessions every Tuesday, participants have the chance to connect with one another over tea and biscuits, while also enjoying time on the water.
DEDICATED
As Romain, another participant, shared: “I feel very happy to have found this group. It’s not only sport; it’s also a social group.”
Sport has the unique ability to unify, inspire and bring joy like few other activities. Fulham Reach Boat Club is dedicated to ensuring these opportunities are accessible to everyone, leaving no-one behind.
Find out more about Fulham Reach Boat Club and Row the Rhythm at fulhamreachboatclub.co.uk
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