Empower, founded by Ben Andrews, supports disabled people to take part in activities they may otherwise find hard, like gardening, cycling and intensive gym workouts.
Ben began by training relatives with visual impairments, and then developed Empower to support disabled people engage in more social, physical and exercise-based activity, while giving those around them the skills to support this long-term.
Sylvia, the mother of Empower client, Katie Thomlinson, says "Katie was doing nothing all day before Empower. She has come right out of her shell since starting in the gym. She's made friends and loves her new dance and drama groups."
Katie adds: "I like it. I can breathe better."
Empower, incubated by Unlimited Potential and funded for the last two years by Salford Clinical Commissioning Group, delivers its services in Eccles, Pendleton and Swinton, although it's hoping to expand to other areas.
"80% of disabled people want to be more active, but only 17% meet the recommended levels of activity – and this is even lower for people with sensory impairments" explains Chris Dabbs, Chief Executive of Unlimited Potential "Disabled people make up one-third of all NHS patients, but activity initiatives rarely target them and they face many barriers. Empower is a solution that works for people."
Ben Andrews adds: "I hope that Empower will gradually change the perceptions of disabled people and from non-disabled people. You don't have to be a paralympian, but you also don't have to do nothing.
"We can all move more" he says "We can all reap the benefits of a more active life. It's important for disabled people to have the same opportunities to do so."
For more information about Empower, contact Ben Andrews on 07747 475038 or email ben.andrews@unlimitedpotential.org.uk
Or see the Facebook site - click here
Main photo shows Katie Thomlinson with Ben Andrews
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