Rangers Charity involved in autism friendly and visually impaired football programmes

Rangers Charity involved in autism friendly and visually impaired football programmes

The Rangers Charity Foundation is delighted to announce continued funding of £34,913 from Better Breaks for both its Autism Friendly and Visually Impaired Football programmes for young people. This will allow these established programmes to continue for another year, building on previous success. 

Both programmes are free and aim to provide young people who may not always have access to mainstream football to play, have fun, develop friendships and build confidence. They also provide carers of disabled children and young people more opportunities to enjoy a life outside of their caring role.

“We pride ourselves on being a Foundation for Everyone and Anyone and are very grateful for this continued funding which allows us to provide access to young people with visual impairments and autism the opportunity to come along and have fun as well as supporting parents and carers. Some of our participants have been coming for years and the continuity is really important in being able to establish relationships with the young people and their parents over a sustained period when they tell us that there can be few activities available to them.”

Jordan Boyd, a Community Programmes Manager

Better Breaks is a funding programme of the Short Breaks Fund, operated by Shared Care Scotland on behalf of National Carers Organisations and the Scottish Government.  The purpose of the Short Breaks Fund is to increase the range, availability, and choice of short breaks for unpaid carers and those they care for across Scotland. 

 “We are delighted to support inclusive sport initiatives such as this through the Short Breaks Fund. It benefits many young people who otherwise would not have this type of opportunity to participate, and the sessions also provide a much appreciated break for parent carers.”

Ailbhe Hendry, a Short Breaks Fund Manager

​Originally created as part of a national partnership with Scottish Autism who helped identify a clear need, Autism Friendly Football provides specialist weekly football sessions for 6–16 year-olds on the autistic spectrum, creating a safe and fun environment for participants to become more physically active, develop life skills and raise confidence, whilst allowing the parents/carers the opportunity to socialise with others who can relate to their own experience.

Trained coaches develop relationships with the children and maintain a consistent presence and ​there is a quiet area for young people to take time out if they become overwhelmed or frustrated. Rangers Charity Foundation teams are now part of the Autism Football Association pathway. This progression has been a vital and well received step for all the players, and in turn offers families and carers the opportunity of an extended break at the day-long Autism League events.

The Visually Impaired Football programme, supported by the Scottish FA’s Para Football, is free and open to children of all abilities, aged between 8 and 18. The sessions take place at Super Soccer on Scotland Street every other Sunday from 12pm – 2pm and sessions can be tailored to the needs of the young people.  Parents and carers are also welcome to join in.