Trust Rugby Shropshire is a unified rugby team; we are part of Trust Rugby International who run two further Clans of Unified Rugby in Scotland.
We are building an inclusive rugby team for players with or without disabilities, to enjoy all aspects of rugby.
This includes the social side and feeling part of a team along with building confidence and of course improving health and fitness.
The game is basically played as a full contact game however we use a red scrum hat system to protect and allow for vulnerable players to participate fully where we then introduce a non contact touch and turn move.
Our team consists of players who have never played rugby, occasionally play rugby, suffer social or mental health issues along with downs syndrome and autistic spectrum disorders.
Many mainstream players also join us as the enjoyment, motivation and confidence building factor is upmost.
As a team we pull together, enable each other and move everyone forward.
We train weekly and are planning social events along with home and away matches against other mixed ability teams.
To promote and encourage an appreciation of equality diversity and social integration by proactively supporting the personal development of young people through participation in rugby.
What is the social/environmental problem/issue that this project will address?
To promote and encourage an appreciation of equality diversity and social integration by proactively supporting the personal development of young people through participation in rugby.
Can you give us some statistics on this problem?
· Suicide remains the most common cause of death in men under the age of 50.
· Anxiety is one of the top mental health problems in the U.K., it is under reported, under diagnosed and under treated.
· The UK has one of the highest self harm rates in Europe.
· One in four of us will go through some form of mental illness, only 23% of men would go to a doctor if they felt depressed most try to self medicate, through alcohol, drugs and gambling.
· People in the poorest socioeconomic circumstances are ten times more likely to commit suicide than those in the most affluent.
· Approximately 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability.
· People with learning disabilities are 2.5 times more likely to have health problems and other people.
· 29,000 adults with learning difficulties live with parents aged over 70 many of whom are too old or frail to continue in their caring role.
In 2010/2011 only 6.6% of adults with learning difficulties were in some form of paid employment, with an estimated 65% wanting to be in paid employment.
What is your solution?
Speaking out and challenging the stigma of mental health and providing an inclusive and unified sports group, promoting self confidence, empowerment, social skills, and a feeling of belonging rather than suffering in silence .
Structured weekly training, trips away playing other unified teams and creating a family throughout the country.
How does it work?
It focuses on weekly training sessions where people with and without disabilities train and practice with each other , where any and everybody is welcome, where rugby is the vehicle to help people regain self confidence and self belief through fun, enjoyment and participation and although rugby is the sport the benefits are vast on every level .
Physical activity can reduce depression and anxiety, increase self confidence. It also releases feel good hormones (taken from the charity MIND)