Project details
St Johnstone Community Trust – ADHD+Sport
The St Johnstone Community Trust, Saints in the Community, is the charity arm of Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone FC, and was incorporated as Scottish Charitable Organisation in 2016. The Award-winning Trust is a thriving, sustainable, community-focused organisation, providing positive life-enhancing experiences using sport, and football, in particular, to help people throughout Perth and Kinross achieve their goals.
In partnership with the Perth & Kinross ADHD+ Support Group and Motorvate Therapies Ltd, and funded by The RS Macdonald Charitable Trust, the ADHD+Sport programme aims to overcome the challenges children and young people with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDD) have in accessing local community exercise activities due to their often ‘socially unacceptable’ behaviours. Whilst evidence shows exercise is an effective tool for people with ADHD in assisting in modulating their mood and actions, they often face barriers to participating with “mainstream” groups unable to cope due to the aforementioned behaviours.
Over the course of 12 months, participating children are supported to attend a timetable of different sporting activities each lasting 6-weeks. Activities have thus far included football, horse-riding, martial arts, dance, basketball, climbing, archery, and athletics.
As part of the ADHD+Sport programme, participating coaches and other sports coaches across the county are invited to attend the free ADHD Awareness training course to upskill leaders and help them to recognise, understand, and meet the needs of children with ADHD. By supporting coaches to change the way they approach and deliver their sports sessions, the programme hopes to improve the family experience across Perth & Kinross and decrease anxiety when enjoying activities out with the programme.
St Johnstone FC Community Trust – Football Memories
