Bee Unique (Autism charity)

Project Title: Creating Bee Unique F.C.

Funding: £3978 (Phase 4: 1 April 22 -  31 March 23)

Costs included, delivery equipment, indoor hall hire for winter and coach qualifications for volunteers

Project Outline:

BEE UNIQUE is an Award-winning West Cumbria Charity supporting those diagnosed with Autism, those in the process of medical diagnosis with autism, their parents, carers and families.

Following the success of their introduction to sport programme, many parents approached the group about creating an Autism Football Team.

BEE UNIQUE FC will create 4 teams. 1 in each age category for disabilities. U8, U12, U16 and adults. The delivery of the Intro to Sport project and early market research within existing and wider community gave them enough support to field all of these teams. The teams were be based at Mayfield School (SEN) therefore further strengthening relationships and a familiar environment for pupils to seamlessly transition into the teams.

Sessions were delivered at a slowed down pace for learning the skills for football which in turn helped to improve individuals fine and gross motor skills and provide them with an opportunity that they may otherwise not get.

The funding was to assist in purchasing the equipment and providing the training to start these teams, however having the equipment and skills ensured volunteers, teams and sessions were sustainable.

They expected to attract between 30 and 40 people across all age groups

Update: July 2023

Introduction to football sessions are currently taking place outside in the Copeland Stadium. These are attracting on average 25-30 individuals booking every week across the 4 age categories. There are enough regular participants in the under 12's and the adults to have competitive teams.

This wouldn't have been possible without the funding, for which Bee Unique are incredibly grateful. We continue to develop and grow and the group are in preparations for the PAN Disability football tournament at the BEE Active Family Fun Day in September 2023.