Level Playing Field Project Coordinator Kieran Reynolds visited Pompey Disabled Supporters Association (DSA) as they marked the 2015 Weeks of Action campaign at their fortnightly meeting on Thursday 30th April. Kieran spoke to the DSA members about their achievements and plans for next season before participating in a game of indoor Kurling and taking photographs at Portsmouth’s Fratton Park stadium.
The DSA was established in 2013 during Level Playing Field’s Working Together project. This year they have been able to work with the club to provide free ponchos to protect wheelchair users from the rain and worked in partnership with Portsmouth Autism Support Network to provide ear defenders for people with Autism. They have also worked with the club to organise a ticket office hearing loop and two portable hearing loops.
Pompey DSA has also received Big Lottery funding which has gone towards buying sports equipment for social events and support for other local activities and trips to help improve the wellbeing and inclusion of Portsmouth’s disabled supporters.
Pompey DSA Chair Samantha Piggott said:
“This season we have been working hard with Portsmouth FC to get the right foundations in for the right projects to drive the inclusion and diversity agenda forward. This was significantly helped by the club having a detailed access audit completed. We have lots of exciting projects coming up for 2015/2016 season and we’re proud of how Portsmouth FC have taken up the challenges given to them. We look forward to working with the club to improve the match day experience for all”.
Kieran Reynolds said:
“It was great to spend the day with Pompey DSA and discuss their current and future plans. I would like to thank Portsmouth FC and the DSA for supporting our Weeks of Action campaign”.
If you would like to find out more about Weeks of Action, the Working Together project or you would like to set up a DSA at your club please email info@levelplayingfield.org or call 020 8621 2403.
11.05.2015