Cheltenham Town Community Trust
Sports should be accessible to everyone
Taking part in sports helps people of all ages stay active, make friends, and feel part of a team. However, not everyone has this opportunity, as many teams don’t have the resources to support people’s specific needs and varying abilities.
Cheltenham Town Community Trust is a charity which uses the power of sport to bring people together in Gloucestershire. At the moment, there are very few sports opportunities for disabled people in Cheltenham. The Trust wants to change this by providing fun, high-quality football for everyone.
What our funding has been used for
Using Barnwood’s funding, Cheltenham Town Community Trust has expanded their disability football activities, so they can involve more players with special educational needs (SEN).
They run two-hour evening sessions twice a week, all year round, with social activities. Players have also taken part in friendly matches representing Cheltenham Town Football Club and Trust.
In January, the team were presented with new football shirts featuring the Barnwood Trust logo. They were also joined by two first-team Cheltenham Town Football Club players, Liam Dulson and Darragh Power, who came to support them and check out the new kit.
Ash and Jack from the team gave us their thoughts on being a part of the club:
“It’s good for the mental health that’s why I do it. Great friends, we get to talk to each other, tour Cheltenham and the UK, get new kit and have great moments.“
“Walking, running or playing any sport does help with your mental health, we all come here and have a great time, play some football and have a laugh.“
Being part of the team helps players stay active, feel less lonely, and build confidence. It improves their football skills while also boosting teamwork and communication skills, which they can use in everyday life.
Looking forward
Cheltenham Town Community Trust will keep running two sessions a week through out the year, along with extra matches and social activities. Players can also get free match tickets to attend a Cheltenham Town FC home match during the 2024/25 season. The Trust will continue to welcome more players and create more opportunities for adults with disabilities. They will also run sessions at venues like PACE Gloucester, that run centres for adults with disabilities, reaching even more people.
“This funding from Barnwood Trust is a fantastic boost for our disability football teams. It allows us to continue providing opportunities for individuals to enjoy the game, develop confidence, and feel part of the Cheltenham Town family. We’re incredibly grateful for Barnwood Trust’s support and commitment to promoting inclusion and accessibility in our community.“
Sports should be accessible to everyone, and Cheltenham Town Community Trust has made progress in providing fairer access to football in Gloucestershire. We look forward to seeing the team grow and the Cheltenham Town Community Trust build on their progress in creating a more inclusive and active community.
