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Disability Awareness Event at Leyton Orient

Level Playing Field were approached by Luke Culling from Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) several weeks ago about our getting involved in a project to help bring local students closer to their local communities.  As a result on 7th November, Level Playing Field assisted LOCSP in hosting a Disability Awareness Event at club for the students.

Level Playing Field was joined by Guide Dogs and the National Deaf Children’s Society.  The day consisted of a session by the NDCS which introduced the students to deaf awareness and British Sign Language.   Guide Dogs also ran a session about the work that they do, the life of a Guide Dog and, in general, blind awareness. The third session was an around the ground tour which introduced some of the issues facing disabled football supporters when going to watch a match.  That day was completed by the students presenting what they had learned in small groups back to the rest of the students.

Engagement Manager Shaun Basham told Level Playing Field that he and Guide Dog Trainers from the London Guide Dogs Training School were very pleased to collaborate with Level Playing Field (and NCDS) and actively participate in LOCSP’s Disability Awareness Day on November 7th. The team with their dogs provided two demonstrations of guide dogs in training and invited the young people to participate and experience blindfold walks with the dogs. It was an educational and awareness event which both staff and the young students all enjoyed.  All the students were a very interested in the dogs and issues affecting Blind and Partially sighted people. 

Avni Patel, Me2 Project Worker NDCS, who delivered the NDC sessions  said “I thought the event was well organised and Jackie and Luke’s passion really showed. It was inspiring to see the effort put into making venues and activities accessible! They were a pleasure to work with and hugely accommodating”.

“It was really encouraging to see the young people interested in NDCS and asking relevant questions about deafness and deaf people. The presentations the young people delivered were great and they really took on what was delivered to them. I hope to see the young people & Leyton Orient get involved with events in other ways, but at the very least they will go away with a more open mind!”

Jackie Newing from Level Playing Field said “the day was a huge success and it was great to see the students engaging in every aspect.  The students were challenged and left being far more aware than when they arrived that morning.  We were delighted to be asked to work with LOCSP and the Club”.