Climbing is a sport which is rapidly gaining popularity amongst young people: it had its Olympic debut in 2021 and has a strong presence in the para-sport sector at competition level. In addition to the physical element of the sport, it can also help develop trust, communication skills, body awareness and mobility for people of all abilities. Despite this, there is still a gap at grassroots level for young people with disabilities to access the sport. 

My place in the climbing world began as an outdoor instructor almost ten years ago. Climbing quickly developed from a job into a hobby and it has followed me throughout my career in adult social care, teaching and disability sport development. This project started as a tiny idea back in 2018, where I hoped to start a 'quiet hour' at a local climbing centre for young people with autism to access the sport. Now, working for Manchester United Foundation, we are championing inclusive climbing as a provision for our SEND young people in the form of holiday clubs and curriculum delivery, and that is just the start!

One of the biggest barriers to SEND young people accessing climbing is appropriate equipment: the funding raised by this challenge will help us change this by purchase specialised climbing equipment to allow young people from our SEND partner schools to access the sport. In both our partner schools and our holiday provision, young people of all abilities will be able to access climbing at a local climbing centre with a qualified instructor without lack of equipment being a barrier.

We often assume a person who uses a wheelchair can't climb a wall, or that a person who is blind and deaf can't reach the top of a route. This isn't the case. By changing our perception of climbing and adapting what we see as an achievement within the sport, the opportunities for young people with disabilities to climb become endless. 

Please give what you can and share far and wide!

Thank you, 

Sarah