Priory
Group, the UK’s leading independent provider of mental healthcare, is organising
a special Athletics Day to encourage those with autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and
associated learning difficulties to participate and achieve in
sport.
The
event, which is expected to attract scores of competitors and spectators, will
take place at Withdean Stadium, near Brighton, on Wednesday June 9 with children
and young people aged from 7 to 35 taking part in a range of athletics events
and games in including the 100 metres, long jump, javelin and an egg and spoon
race.
Priory
Education Services is the leading independent provider of specialist education
and care for children and young adults aged five to 35 with Asperger's Syndrome,
autistic spectrum disorders, behavioural, emotional and social difficulties and
specific learning difficulties associated with dyslexia. The commitment to
offering quality provision is demonstrated through the breadth of specialist
education services which now includes 23 specialist facilities
nationwide.
The
event is open to users of Priory’s specialist education services as well as
children and young people associated with The National Autistic Society (NAS).
Spectators are also welcome to support the participants and encourage them to
develop their abilities in athletics and sport.
Melanie
Lamb, of Priory Education Services, said: “Our aim is to help children and
young adults on the autistic spectrum to reach their full potential by
encouraging them to participate in a wide range of sport and activities, as this
helps with their personal, social and vocational
development.
“The
ethos of the Athletics Day will be a combination of having fun and celebrating
personal athletic achievements.’
The
Award Ceremony will be conducted by Derek Browne, Chief Executive and Founder of
Entrepreneurs in Action.
Entrepreneurs in
Action provides programmes and activities which unlock the untapped talents of
young people by working in partnership with organisations to give students a
taste of enterprise through exciting, hands-on business challenges and learning
programmes. Its mission is to inspire young people of all backgrounds and
abilities to follow their passions.
Mr Browne said:
“Priory Education Services are to be congratulated for organising this day as it
will help develop students’ interpersonal skills, increase their motivation and
nurture their sporting talent.”
The
sports day will comprise field and track events including long, triple and high
jump, javelin, and races ranging from 100m to 400m with the competition split
into three groups – seven – 12 years, 13 – 17 years, and over 18s.
ENDS
CONTACT: Helen Logan on 01325
383886
Notes
to editors:
The
Priory Group is the UK’s leading independent provider of acute mental
health services,
secure and
step-down services,
specialist
education,
complex
care and
neuro-rehabilitation
services,
working in partnership with the public and independent
sectors.
Priory's
acute psychiatric
hospitals
offer a comprehensive range of successful, evidence-based inpatient, outpatient
and day patient treatment programmes and therapy services for a wide variety of
mental health issues, including depression, addictions,
eating
disorders
and child and adolescent mental
health services (CAMHS).
Priory Secure
Services
is a specialist provider of secure mental health services working in partnership
with the NHS.
Priory's
complex
care
hospitals and neuro-rehabilitation centres treat
people with enduring mental and physical illnesses, restricted mobility and
challenging behaviours that are often the result of organic, degenerative or
neurological problems and whose needs cannot be met in conventional
environments. Priory's neuro-rehabilitation centres care for people with a wide
range of acquired or progressive neurological disorders, including brain
injuries and illness, spinal injuries, brain haemorrhages and
stroke.
Priory Education
Services
is the UK's leading independent provider of specialist education and care for
children and young people aged four to 35 with Asperger's Syndrome (AS),
autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), behavioural, emotional and
social difficulties (BESD) and specific learning difficulties associated with
dyslexia.
The
Priory Group is developing a range of high quality care homes offering
long-term, short-term and respite nursing care for older people who are
physically frail or suffering with dementia related
disorders.