Paralympian supports Leonard Cheshire campaign in helping young disabled people get fit
Leonard Cheshire ambassador has asked Paralympian Olivia Breen to co-design a series of home workouts to inspire young people to exercise and challenge their friends to #ShowMeYouCan.
The two-time Paralympian and the charity’s Can Do team have developed an introductory toolkit to stay active at home, that can be accessed on its website.
The fun and engaging package features a week of workouts combining circuits, yoga, dance, balance, and co-ordination exercises to make you fitter while improving your mental health.
#ShowMeYouCan will also invite friends to challenge each other and spread the word across their networks and Leonard Cheshire will be encouraging residents across their services to join in too!
Speaking about the new fitness campaign, Olivia Breen said: “Lockdown has tested us all and I hope these simple work outs can prove beneficial in getting people active in the home and then when it’s safe, out and about with their friends in the sun!”
Leonard Cheshire CEO Ruth Owen added: “It’s hugely important for disabled people to keep fit and maintain their mental health during lockdown and beyond. I’ve been as frustrated as anyone with the gyms not being open.
“I’m really excited about the way we can offer supporters and customers this kind of experience and it’s also great that an athlete the calibre of Olivia is involved. As a sports and fitness fanatic, I’m really looking forward to trying out some of these sessions myself.”
Can Do is Leonard Cheshire’s skills development programme for individuals aged 16-35 with a disability or long-term health condition. The programme operates in 19 locations across the UK, and last year more than 2,743 young people took part in its activities.
While the country has been in lockdown, Can Do had to move all community activities onto digital platforms in order to keep people connected and deliver core outcomes of confidence building and skills development.
It is rolling out a host of virtual sport related activities this spring and summer.
Leonard Cheshire have also introduced a virtual platform where anyone from anywhere in the world can log-on and engage in fun activities or book on to a virtual skills development opportunity.
