GrEAT: our over 18s social club

GrEAT is KEEN's social club for over 18's, offering our older athletes the opportunity to mix with their peers in a variety of settings. GrEAT was set up for those participants who still enjoy coming to KEEN but who are over eighteen and would benefit from more age-specific activities.

There is a lack of opportunities for young adults with special needs to enjoy access to the same facilities and entertainments as their non-disabled peers. GrEAT aims to change this and to provide age-appropriate activities for its members to help them be as independent and included as possible.

We recognize that the athletes who come to GREAT are adults, so GrEAT differs from the other KEEN sessions. Firstly, we use the terms “member” and “buddy” rather than the “athlete” and “coach” used in other sessions. Secondly, individuals are not paired one-to-one but are encouraged to work and mingle as a group. Finally, the members have far more input into what takes place during GREAT sessions and are able to vote for their favourite activities.

GrEAT offers a wide range of activities which have recently included pub quizzes, bowling, film nights, karaoke, visits from a capella choirs and Irish dances, a dance and drumming workshop, adapted computer games roadshows and balls.

 GrEAT Member Profile:

Yasmin

“I really like going to

KEEN… I love GREAT

because it’s really good

and I love going to the

pub and pub quizzes”

 

Julia