Living Sport works closely with the Ability PLUS Group - a network that promotes sport and active recreation for people with disabilities or additional needs.

Constituted in January 2006 and formally known as the ‘Cambridgeshire Disability Sports Forum’, Ability PLUS  is the County Disability Sports Forum for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and the group membership includes representatives from Local Authorities, Governing Bodies of sport, mainstream and special schools, local and national sporting and disability organisations.

Working in partnership is the key to the success of the group which was initially set up to support the delivery of events like the Youth Games PLUS. The group now has a much wider remit and is seen as a key strategic group for disability sports development in the area and has developed and delivered the PLUS Competition programme through a range of partners.

This is a unique programme to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to give schools competitions at an appropriate level for pupils with disabilities and additional needs, this is now integrated within the School Games programme as well as standalone competitions.

The Group’s objectives are to:

• Foster and promote provision of sporting and active recreation opportunities for disabled people and people with additional needs.
• To support and assist people with disabilities by enhancing the opportunities to participate, organise, volunteer, coach and develop through their involvement in sport
• To develop and/or promote local, regional and national sporting events.
• To bring key groups and partners together across the County to increase the potential for people with a disability to engage in sport.

The Ability PLUS group meet on a quarterly basis, in January, April, July and October.

Anyone is welcome to attend the full group meetings which are normally based around a theme and there is plenty opportunity to network with others.

The Group is coordinated by a committee which is elected from the group’s membership each year in January at the AGM. The committee represents a cross section of partners on the group and help steer the group, making decisions on behalf of the group to support the development meeting themes and agendas. 

For enquires about the group please contact Vicky Neal, Secretary.

The Committee members for 2020 are:

Chair: Jenny Lambert

Vice Chair: Sarah Allen, Cambridge Regional College

Treasurer: Rob Brierley, Papworth Trust, Senior Service Manager

Secretary: Vicky Neal, Cambridge United Community Trust. 

Co-opted member (to support development opportunities): Rebecca Evans, Living Sport, Partnerships Manager

In 2013 the group announced their first Patron, Dan Gordon; visually impaired former Paralympic Cyclist. Dan had a sports career spanning 15 years and represented Great Britain in three sports and competed at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.

He has vast experience of supporting athletes and coaches in a variety of sports, including track and field, swimming, cycling, and team sports and is now Programme Leader for Sport and Exercise Sciences and principle lecturer in Exercise Physiology at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.

As Patron, Dan is available to attend events and interviews around the county to promote the Ability PLUS Group and the benefits of sport and physical activity can have for people with disabilities.

For more information on the role of the Patron, or to book Dan for your event, please contact Rebecca Evans at Living Sport for details on 07739 655062.