On Tuesday 2nd June,the Pemberton Centre in Rushden which has been an accredited IFI facility since 1995 and is managed by Cultural Community Partnerships, a not for profit registered charitable trust working on behalf of East Northamptonshire Council, hosted a presentation evening and official unveiling of the Countries first self belay and manmade hand/foothold 'Matterhorn' Inflatable Climbing Wall manufactured by Airspace Solutions.
The presentation was to receive cheques from the East Northamptonshire Youth Council from the Northamptonshire County Council Money4Youth fund for £6,500 and also the English Federation of Disability Sport of £1,500 to purchase the Inflatable Climbing Wall and self belay system.
The unveiling of the Climbing Wall was carried out during the Young Inclusive People (YIP) Club for young disabled people aged 10-24 years who meet fortnightly at the Pemberton Centre. The unveiling was carried out by the Chairman of East Northamptonshire Council Councillor Sarah Peacock and cheques presented by a representative of the Youth Council and Graeme Wilson from Northamptonshire Sport representing EFDS.
The club now has a membership of 36 young people who regularly attend, drawn locally and from neighbouring districts who through funding from the Northamptonshire County Council Voluntary Sector Support Unit (VSSU) are able to participate in activities as diverse as Archery, Trampoline, Wheelchair Basketball, Badminton and Multi Skills and SHOKK Gym as well as Pool, Wii Sport, Table Tennis, Boccia, New Age Kurling, Table Football and Hockey while those 16 plus years are able to access the fully inclusive IFI accredited Gym throughout the sessions. All this for £2.00 per session, refreshments included (parents and carers free).
The Climbing Wall will now be a regular feature of the YIP club and will provide not only physical and sensory development but a sense of achievement as every young person in the club either has or will be presented with a commemorative T shirt 'I conquered the Matterhorn' To indicate that they either completed 3 ascents or achieved a level of success based on their disability.
For further information on the (YIP) club kindly contact: Roger Lovesay, Head of Strategy and Business Development. Tel: 01933 352990 Email here or visit the website
