The Charlton Upbeats is a bespoke programme delivered by the Charlton
Athletic Community Trust for young people with Down's Syndrome.
More than 100 kids have registered in the first year and this
Down's Syndrome Sports Club now has between 25-30 regular attendees aged
between 5 to 24. Sessions are organised every Saturday and are
delivered at Charlton's Sparrows Lane training ground in New Eltham.
During 2009, the Trust initially secured funding for the first
year of delivery of the project from ITV's Peoples Millions Project.
With this help, Charlton Upbeats is now an important multi-sport
programme within the community, delivering football, tag rugby, street
dance, cricket and tri-golf while involving the young people in local
environmental programmes, so they can get some idea of how to improve
the local area.
Another great outcome during this first year of delivery has been
the training of our coaches on a sign language course which has enabled
them to communicate much more effectively with the young Upbeats during
their sessions and activities.
This initial funding ends in December and now the Trust is seeking
to secure funding for a further two to three years to ensure that this
important programme can continue.
Thank you for your support
