Sense Active have launched a new programme aiming to improve the quality of tennis provision for people with complex disabilities, in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association and LUSU Sports. The programme reimagines the way activities are delivered to help ensure the benefits and outcomes gained from playing tennis can be achieved by people with complex disabilities.

The Sensory Tennis programme includes a best practice toolkit, on-demand videos and local mentoring to help provide an understanding on why and when Sensory Tennis is needed and how to deliver, plan and evaluate Sensory Tennis activities with a person-centred approach.

It is aimed at those supporting people with complex disabilities to be active including tennis coaches, care workers, teachers or family members and is designed to be used as part of tennis clubs’ provision, in educational settings, disability support services or at home.

Alice Miller, Sport & Physical Activity Coordinator at Sense, said:

“At Sense we believe that people with complex disabilities find it challenging to participate in many sports such as tennis due to the complexity of rules, tactics and skills involved. Therefore, we wanted to create a fully accessible version of the sport that really breaks down activities and allows people to work on developing their skills and achieving particular outcomes through a more sensory and person-centred approach.”

Matthew Elkington, Disability Development Partner – Lawn Tennis Association, said:

“The LTA are truly committed to opening up our sport and in 2021 we felt that our current impairment specific programmes saw various people miss out on the opportunity to play tennis. Working with Sense to develop Sensory Tennis will allow more people to enjoy our sport and we will endeavour to make more of our venues accessible and educate more of our workforce to deliver to people with multiple and complex disabilities.”

Sense are keen to set up as many Sensory Tennis sessions across England and Wales. If you provide tennis, multi-sport activities or support for people with complex disabilities, read the toolkit, watch the short on-demand videos and start providing your own Sensory Tennis activities.

For more information or for additional support, visit www.sense.org.uk/sensory-tennis or contact Alice Miller, Sport & Physical Activity Coordinator on 07599 104405 or by emailing [email protected].

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About Sense

Sense is a national disability charity that supports people living with complex disabilities, including those who are deafblind, to communicate and experience the world.

Sense supports children, young people and adults in their home and in the community, in their education and transition to adulthood and through its holidays, arts, sports and wellbeing programmes. In addition to practical support to families, Sense also offers information advice, short breaks and family events, and campaigns for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

For more information please visit www.sense.org.uk.