Wheelchair skills training sessions in Ballymoney

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust, in collaboration with the Causeway Wheelers Wheelchair group, is hosting a bespoke wheelchair skills training programme for children and young people up to 18 years old.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Aug 2016, 14:14 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 16:21 BST

Sessions run once a month on Saturday’s mornings between 10:30am to 12:30pm at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre in Ballymoney.

The next session takes place on Saturday, August 13 followed by September 10 and October 8 and the Trust would encourage any families interested to come along.

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The programme is unique to Northern Ireland and aims, through group games, to increase the child or young persons confidence and independence in using their wheelchair.

Additional wheelchairs are available so friends and family can take part in the fun and games and you’re still welcome to attend if you can only attend one or two sessions.

The sessions are delivered by the Regional Wheelchair Training Occupational Therapist who is assisted by six occupational therapists from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. Adult wheelchair users known as “Wheelchair Training Buddies” also take part to offer valuable peer support.

The pilot study was launched in March 2016 and will accommodate a pre and post programme evaluation of the children’s skills. Formal evaluation of the project will be completed by Ulster University.

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If successful, recommendations will be made for a regional roll out of the programme to the other Health and Social Care Trusts across Northern Ireland.

If you know a child or young person who would like to take part in this free skills programme please contact the Northern Trust on 028 2766 1349 or 028 9504 8137.

Related topics:Northern Health and Social Care TrustNorthern Ireland