1. Occupation as Therapeutic Means and End
Lyndsey Barrett, Director and Senior Occupational Therapist

2. Definitions
Sport for Confidence is a pioneering initiative, which supports people with and without learning disabilities to participate in mainstream sporting activities
It is a unique partnership between healthcare professionals, leisure centres and local sports clubs which sees Occupational Therapists (OT) working directly with sports coaches and staff, to make adjustments that create truly accessible sport & leisure opportunities

3. Sport as an Assessment and Treatment Tool
A sports group was developed following a 1:1 OT programme for an individual with anxiety disorder and depression
Originally sessions were open to individuals with a diagnosis of a learning disability who were already receiving input from the Occupational Therapy Team

4. Move to Mainstream
The ‘Sport for Confidence Programme’ has now grown from 1 individual using sport as part of Occupational Therapy assessment and skills development to becoming a mainstream programme with approximately 800 adults per month getting more physically active by accessing a variety of sporting activities – based on their individual needs and interests

5. Programme Basketball Parkour Aqua fit Rugby Fencing Tennis
Dodgeball Netball
Gymnastics Cricket
Spinning Athletics
Curling Boccia

6. Why Sport?
Person-centred, meaningful occupation for assessment and intervention
Development of Occupational Performance skills - motor, sensory, cognitive and social
Opportunities for individual/parallel/group participation – transfer learnt skills
Opportunities for grading, adapting and compensation.

7. Why Sport? Opportunities for success, courage and confidence
Practising self-control and perseverance
Taking direction and following instructions
To create opportunity for competition and give individual's responsibility
Therapeutic use of humour….having fun

8. Why Occupational Therapists?
Whole-person approach to both mental and physical health and wellbeing, enabling individuals to achieve their full potential
Identifying and eliminating barriers to participation, increasing independence and skill development to perform chosen activities
Client-centred practice that places emphasis on the progress towards the individual's goals

9. Case Studies

10. Principles
Participation in meaningful activities impacts positively on our health and wellbeing and provides opportunities to develop new skills which can then be transferred in to other areas of our lives.
Our focus is to enable or encourage participation despite impairments or limitations in physical or mental functioning.

11. Young female with Downs Syndrome
Case Study 1
Young female with Downs Syndrome
Issues:
Lack of personal safety awareness in the community
Difficulties with social communication and interaction skills. In particular with young men
Lack of physical activity and routine

12. Goals
To increase opportunities for development of social skills, in particular, interactions with men
To increase participation in physical activity and provide structure to week
To practice personal safety awareness and increase confidence in attending a mainstream community venue

13. Intervention and Occupational Outcomes
Joint work with centre staff to identify risk and provide concrete intervention to introduce social ‘rules’ e.g. use of photo activities, verbal prompting to problem solve and process to information
Activity adapted by OT and Coach to meet objectives e.g. pairs work

14. Intervention and Occupational Outcomes
Progression from attending 1 session to 4
Positive feedback from Counsellor and family
Started attending a Day Centre

15. Cost Savings Prior to Sport for Confidence:
Counselling costs = £98 per session x 40 =£3,920
Social worker input - £79 per hour x 26 = £2,054
Day care £81 per day: £81 x 3 days x 52 = £12,636
Prescriptions £23.30 per prescription x 2 x 12 = £559
Total cost = £19,169

16. Cost Savings Post Sport for Confidence:
Attendance at Sport for Confidence £2.50 per session (x5) = £ x 52 = £650
Day Care £81 x 2 x 52 = £8,424
Social worker £79 x 2 = £158
Total saving in one year = £9,568 plus improved quality of life

17. Young man with Aspergers Syndrome
Case Study 2
Young man with Aspergers Syndrome
Issues:
Lack of balance in his occupations and limited routine
Lack of opportunity for participation in appropriate level of ability in sporting activities
Difficulties with social communication and interaction skills in group setting

18. Goals
To independently access the sports centre and participate in competitive sports
To develop vocational skills and work towards paid employment
Decrease anxiety in social situations

19. Intervention and Occupational Outcomes
Graded approach to delivering activity
Supported emerging role within the group
Encouraged progression through identifying future coaching opportunities
Transfer skills to vocational activities and increased confidence when considering future employment

20. Intervention and Occupational Outcomes
Regular exposure to challenges in social situations
Completed Rock Climbing course and began to attend independently
Secured paid employment

21. Cost Savings Prior to Sport for Confidence:
Benefits £143 per week x 52 = £7,436
Psychological assessment (9 hours total) £62 x 9 = £558
Potential weekly psychology sessions £62 x 52 = £3,224 or Potential in-patient mental health admission (mean value) = £4,389

22. Cost Savings Employment advice = £584
HBO treatment e.g. 10 sessions £105 x 10 = £1,050
Mother’s weekly visit to GP £44 x 52 = £2,288
Total cost = £15,140 with psychology (£16,305 with in-patient admission)

23. Cost Savings Post Sport for Confidence:
David returned to employment and has no other ongoing support from health and social care.
Total costs = £0

24. Something to Think About…
It’s not just about leisure
Your don’t have to be ‘sporty’ of even like sport
What can a leisure centre offer you?
What can Occupational Therapists offer to the world of sport and leisure?

25. Setting the stage so people can perform and shine
Sport for Confidence
Setting the stage so people can perform and shine

26. Questions?

27. Thank you for Listening!