Vitality Bath Half Marathon 2015

SWALLOW is a user-led charity providing support to teenagers and adults with learning disabilities throughout Bath and North East Somerset. SWALLOW was established by individuals with learning disabilities and their families to develop a new way of meeting their needs and provide an alternative to day centres and residential homes. Over the past 30 years we have developed our services in direct response to the needs and wishes of our members. Our aim is to help as many people as we can to lead fulfilled lives as independently as possible. The support we provide includes: independent living skills training, supported housing opportunities, one-to-one outreach support, a Work Skills Enterprise Scheme focussing on providing skills development, training and employment opportunities in catering at the SWALLOW Community Cafe, craft and horticulture. We also run a full programme of courses and activities which include art, cookery, sports and social events. All our services are in response to member requests through our Management Committee.

Described as ‘the beautiful game, only slower’, walking football is one of the UK’s fastest-growing sports for the over 50s. The skills, tactics, and all of the rules of walking football are the same as the speeded-up version of the sport, but walking football has one rule which if broken means a free kick - no running is allowed. Coach Nick Dewfall said: “I really enjoy running the walking football sessions as I love the benefits they bring to the participants – health and fitness, team spirit, the chance to socialise and most importantly a lot of fun.”

Bath Rugby Foundation is the charitable arm of Bath Rugby Club created to empower all young people in Bath and surrounding areas to succeed. We are a small team with a big voice and an even bigger impact in the community. We use the values of rugby to inspire young people to create a better future for themselves, focusing on improving health, education, employability and inclusion in the South West. Our Inclusive After School Sports Club (IASC) is a partnership initiative involving Bath & North East Somerset Council, Aquaterra, Herman Miller, Bath Rugby Foundation, Threeways School, Fosseway School and Bath & North East Somerset Inclusive Sport & Physical Activity Association (BISPAA). The programme has been specially designed by our inclusion coaches for those with physical or learning disabilities. It uses rugby and other sports to develop fundamental movements such as agility, balance and co-ordination, while giving participants a safe, fun environment to get healthy. Activities include tag rugby, adapted cycling, dodgeball, basketball, football, and open swimming. Our important health projects enhance children's health and well-being through education and sport. For example, our Heart of a Lion project uses tag rugby and teaching sessions to help young people learn about how to keep their heart healthy. Students are given heart rate trackers and undertake different activities to see how it affects their heart rate. Will continue running projects like these empowering young people in Bath and surrounding areas!