Background

In 1997 Brighton & Hove Albion committed itself to developing opportunities for disabled children and adults in Brighton and Hove by launching the Seagulls Specials. In 2005, the club’s community efforts received charitable status and we became known as ‘Albion in the Community’. In 2009 we began an innovative new project called Making a Difference.

 

What we do...

Making a Difference recognises and strongly believes that every disabled person should have the opportunity to play and take part in all aspects of football in an environment that is suitable for them. Making a Difference has developed inclusive, disability-specific and impairment-specific opportunities to help meet the needs of all our players. We believe that choice is of paramount importance and it is this choice that makes the Making a Difference project so special.

 

...and how we do it

The project provides disability-specific and impairment-specific clubs, special school activities, day centre activities – and education and advice to mainstream coaches so that disabled children and young people can play in their local club or school. The Making a Difference project provides the chance to put football skills into a competitive environment at a level suitable to their ability. It gives disabled people a social environment that is often not readily available to them.

The project provides a support network to families with disabled children and young people in a world that does not always understand their needs, issues and frustrations. It gives disabled people a chance to fulfil their dreams. It really does make a difference to their lives.

Why it's about more than football

The key to ‘Making a Difference’ is that it is not just about football; it’ is a lot more than that. What young people gain and learn through their involvement in this project is often more valuable than the game itself. The chance to play football is so motivating for some children that we are able to develop and encourage basic skills, such as sharing, turn-taking, waiting, good listening and following an adult’s direction – all crucially important skills that are readily transferable to home and school. It is because of a lack of these skills that a lot of disabled children are excluded from other activities. This exclusion happens through no fault of their own but because of a lack of experience and knowledge about how to involve disabled young people.

The need to compete and to acquire skills and a feeling of achievement is as important for disabled youngsters as it is for any others. They may have poor social skills and be disaffected, yet through our competitions they are able to demonstrate their success in our national game. The project requires tremendous commitment of time and energy from the players, their parents and coaches, but the payback in terms of the young people’s personal development, confidence and sense of self-esteem is immeasurable.

 

Albion in the Community has worked hard to eradicate barriers and promote the achievements of disabled people in our community. We have used the power of football to demonstrate the skills of these often very talented players in various settings including at a number of Brighton & Hove Albion home matches during the season.

We are now more committed to this project than ever and will continue to use the power of football to make our community a better place for everyone, regardless of ability or disability.

 

Here are some of the things we do. 

Clubs across Sussex       

Competitions

Awareness of healthy lifestyles

Social Activities

Mentoring and Education

Impairment specific opportunites

Residential trips

Using the Power of Football

To find out more click on the logo at the top of the page to have a look at our Making a Difference Brochure.