A client within the community learning disability Physiotherapy service at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has just been awarded the British Gymnastics Five Star Award for trampolining.
Matthew Street from Nottingham is only the third learning disability client to be awarded the Five Stars since the Trust introduced the scheme in 1996. It is a national award with the Five Stars being the highest level for people accessing supported care such as those with a learning disability.
Matthew started his training in November last year and has been fully committed to his training which is used as a type of therapy improving fitness, coordination and concentration. Trampolining is often used for clients who are more physically able and awards can be gained for those who show particular talent and potential.
To achieve the Five Star Award requires a strong commitment by the client together with their physiotherapist and special needs coach which can be very challenging for people with a learning disability. The client must perform six out of seven trampolining moves in a routine which may include a piked straddle jump, back landing onto a mat and half twist jump.
Sally Smith, Physiotherapist and Special Needs Coach in Trampolining within the Trust said: “This is such an excellent achievement for Matthew and highly deserved due to his commitment and perseverance. Often the nature of the clients we work means they may have frequently experienced failure in different parts of their lives so for Matthew to have gained such a well respected award is such a great achievement.”
