Living with SMA
Teenagers (13-17 years) Clubs, Sports and Social
Teenagers (13-17 years) Clubs, Sports and Social
Last updated: July 2024
Most organisations in this section are national ones but they should be able to tell you if they know of anything local to you.
Tips and ideas from our What’s App Groups:
July 2024: some people are signing up for an Access Card which costs £15 for 3 years. It is a photo ID that can be used to easily communicate your access requirements to events and venues. It also works online with other platforms like ticketing systems, to unlock the access facilities you need.
November 2023: have a look at the Everybodymoves.org.uk website. This is a fresh campaign to connect disabled people with more opportunities to get active than ever before. You can register to see what’s on.
If you would like to join something locally but you can see there might be an access issue, talk to your parents, teachers or the organisers to get this sorted. SMA UK is always willing to talk through options and write support letters as well.
In "Unleashing the Potential of Sport" Cath, Luis and Jack discuss the many ways in which sport can help us achieve our goals, overcome obstacles, and live our best lives:
Recorded: February 2023
Local Authorities (LAs) have a legal duty to provide services for disabled children and teenagers under what is called ‘The Local Offer’. Each LA’s website lists the services available in their region. Find your Local Authority.
Whizz-Kidz offer a range of Activity Days each year. They range from wheelchair rugby to rock climbing; adventure days to creative arts. They run both face-to-face and online activities for wheelchair users aged 8-25 years.
Phab is a charity working in England and Wales. It runs clubs where disabled and non-disabled people come together to socialise and have fun. It also runs adventure activities.
Boccia is an indoor Paralympic target ball sport. It tests both muscle control and accuracy. From a seated position players propel balls to land close to a white marker ball – the jack. If you are unable to grasp and propel a ball a ramp can be used.
Find out more from:
- Boccia England and from
- Boccia UK, the UK governing body.
The CEA Card (Cinema Exhibitors’ Association Card) works nationally. It entitles anyone age 8 years and over to one free ticket for whoever is going with them. To apply, you need to be receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP). It currently costs £6.00 a year.
If you are finding it difficult to play, you may need some adaptations, for example a ‘light touch’ mouse.
Several charitable organisations can provide information and advice about specialist computers and gaming equipment:
- AbilityNet – advice and training on computer technology for disabled people
- Everyone Can – information and support on all aspects of computing for disabled people
- Special Effect – adapted gaming controls
- Online safety NSPCC Website – keeping you safe.
See also: Assistive Technology on this page.
Wheels for All – provides fun and friendly activities for disabled people and people who would otherwise not be able to enjoy cycling. They have 28 centres across the country. Each centre provides a range of specially adapted cycles,
Para Dance UK – a charity and the national governing body for Para Dance Sport in the UK.
Some schools offer this for anyone aged 14 to 24. You have to take part in a range of activities and challenges over 3 progressive award levels. As well as being a lot of fun and giving you the chance to enjoy new opportunities, it can be good to have on your CV (Curriculum Vitae). You will need this when you are thinking about future education or work. A CV summarises your education, skills and relevant work and other experiences.
See: Duke of Edinburgh. Talk to your school if you are interested. This additional needs section of the D of E website maybe be useful to share with school.
Venues and music festivals vary in their accessibility. As well as checking any website, it is wise to ring and ask specific questions about the access you need.
Many festivals have accessible viewing platforms and offer a free ticket for a PA. Some of the bigger ones even have a Mobiloo. This is a Changing Places Facility on wheels. It provides a large accessible bathroom with a hoist, adult-size changing bed and shower.
Camping festival facilities can vary hugely. If you decide camping is not going to be possible, you can stay at nearby hotels or only purchase a day ticket.
It is probably fair to say you will need to do a good bit of research and planning to get the most out of the experience but don’t let this stop you. Whatever you do, make sure you prepare for the mud and the rain!
Disability Horizons: May 2022 How to prepare for a Music Festival as a Wheelchair User
Guardian: May 2019 What is it like being disabled at a festival?
Attitude is Everything – improving deaf and disabled people’s access to live music by working in partnership with audiences, artists and the music industry.
British Disabled Angling Association has information on accessible fishing.
Aerobility – a charity offering disabled people the opportunity to fly a plane – as long as you are certified medically as fit to fly.
Freedom in the Air – organises regular flying days for young people.
Disability Football – information about footballing opportunities for disabled people.
Grassroots Disability Football – information about footballing opportunities for disabled people.
Level Playing Field – offers support, information and advice on a range of topics around access for disabled spectators.
Wheelchair Football Association (WFA) – the governing body for Powerchair Football in England provides information on Powerchair Football and how to get involved.
Bobby is 13 years old and has SMA Type 3:
‘I play Powerchair Football, and I am currently 2-time European Champion after winning the Goals Beyond Grass (GBG) Geneva Cup 2 years in a row with my team – All Stars.. Powerchair football is incredible for me to be able to play, not only have I made amazing friends along the way, I have found a sport I can fully take part in and enjoy. I play for Aston Villa in the Premiership League that takes place in Nottingham and I am also on the pathway to play for England. I train with current England players learning amazing skills from them.’
Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) – has over 500 groups across the UK
Access Adventures – run adaptive programmes, giving access to sport and outdoor adventures. They host a wide range of camps, offering opportunities to try including waterskiing, downhill biking, kayaking, kiting, archery and shooting.
They are based at Edge Adaptive Sports Centre near Staines. They also have a Yorkshire & Central team running additional adaptive waterski & wakeboard sessions. Programmes are popular and there is a selection process.
Avon Tyrrell – has a fully accessible centre in the New Forest National Park. They offer inclusive weekends with your family, as well as other opportunities.
Bendrigg Trust – has an activity centres in Cumbria. They offer a range of day activities, inclusive family weekends for families and other opportunities.
Calvert Trust – offers Inclusive courses where go with your family:
The Disabled Photographers’ Society is run by and for disabled photographers. They have a broad knowledge of various ways to make photography accessible.
Sailability – is the Royal Yatching Association’s national programme. It enables disabled people to try sailing and take part regularly. Sailing is open to anyone, no matter what age or disability. The network of approved Sailability sites have boats and facilities to cater for everyone.
Disability Snowsport UK – is a charity providing information on how you can get involved in skiing and snowboarding.
Ski2Freedom – help people to find:
- the most suitable adaptive or assisted ski lesson
- guide or sit-ski equipment
- the ideal ski resort
- the most appropriate place to stay.
To find out about getting involved in disability sport, contact one of the following organisations:
Disability Sport Northern Ireland – runs a range of events, participation programmes, training courses and services.
Disability Sport Wales – have details of disability sport coaches throughout Wales and a community database where you can search for your nearest club by sport and disability.
Activity Alliance – provide inclusion training for sports coaches, information on finding the right sport, clubs and examples of good practice.
Scottish Disability Sport – promote the development of sport in Scotland for people of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability. It also has links to disability sailing in Scotland.
WheelPower – organise fun, introductory and competitive events for disabled children and adults. They list sports and where you can find your nearest centre to play them. They also run a number of events, including youth sport camps.
Disability Shooting Great Britain – offer opportunities for disabled people to practice target shooting at Stoke Mandeville. There are also a number of regional Hub Clubs, but available facilities and levels of coaching vary. See the website for more information about these, or about the possibility of target shooting at Stoke Mandeville.
Tennis Foundation – has information on accessible tennis.
British Disabled Waterski and Wakeboard Association – offer ‘trying out’ activities with family and friends for all ages.