- Leicester City in the Community works alongside Menphys to deliver sports sessions to people with additional needs
- The sessions run weekly and take place at Menphys’ Hub in Wigston
- LCitC is committed to delivering inclusive sessions to suit any needs across Leicestershire and Rutland
- Learning Disability Week is being celebrated between 20-26 June
The Club’s charitable arm, Leicester City in the Community, has been praised for its inclusivity during a sports session in recognition of Learning Disability Week.
Leicester City in the Community has worked alongside Leicestershire charity Menphys since the summer of 2021.
The partnership sees LCitC coaches deliver two multi-sport sessions every week on a Thursday evening – one for eight to 13-year-olds and another for those over the age of 13.
Eve Ralph, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Coordinator at Leicester City in the Community talks more about the session and the importance of Learning Disability Week.
“The session is really laid back and they come from all over the county,” Eve said. “We offer coaching, hopefully for an environment that they can enjoy, make friends and learn some skills as well.
“Learning Disability Week is really important to be able to showcase what we can do with participants who might need additional support. These sessions, they are very inclusive, and we enable people with all requirements and assistance to come.”
Learning Disability Week is celebrated annually, and centres around making sure the world hears what life is like if you have a learning disability.
Erin, a Menphys participant, made herself heard and praised the weekly session for the enjoyment it provides.
“They are outstanding,” she said. “I can't believe how good this is to be with the community, and especially Eve! She does lots of different things with me and gets me active. Everybody welcomed me really well and that's why I like it.”
LCitC has worked with Wigston-based Menphys to deliver bespoke sport sessions to children and young people over the past year, which has allowed young people like Erin opportunities to flourish.
Ian Caldwell, CEO at Menphys, discusses how Leicester City in the Community has allowed people with additional needs to develop through sport.
“Leicester City in the Community, working with Menphys, has really thought hard about what the children and young people need," said Ian. "We've had young people and children come down to these sessions who haven't have the confidence to engage.
“But, over several weeks, that confidence has built as they've got to know the coaches - that helps them in terms of things that they will do in other aspects of the life.”
For more information on Leicester City in the Community’s EDI strategy and sessions, contact Eve Ralph on eve.ralph@lcfc.co.uk.
Get a feel for the Menphys session HERE. Book your place on the sports session with Menphys HERE and click HERE to find out more on Learning Disability Week.