Move & Thrive

Building Confidence Through Sport, Creativity and Community

At The Shaw Centre, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead an active, healthy and fulfilling life.

Thanks to funding from Sport England, we launched Move & Thrive—an exciting project that encourages adults with learning disabilities to become more active, build confidence, improve their wellbeing and make lasting friendships.

Move & Thrive is about so much more than exercise. It's about breaking down barriers, creating opportunities, discovering new talents and proving that everyone can achieve amazing things when they're given the chance.

Weekly Sessions

Our Move & Thrive sessions take place on most Tuesday and Friday mornings, giving people the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of inclusive sports and activities in a fun, supportive environment.

Once a month, we also hold a Move & Thrive Sports Day, where we enjoy an extended double session packed with games, teamwork and plenty of friendly competition.

These sessions are open to the local community, and we are always delighted to welcome new faces.

If you, a family member or someone you support would like to join us, please get in touch. We'd love to welcome you.

Something for Everyone

Every session is different, ensuring there's always something new to enjoy. Activities include:

• Inclusive curling

• Ten-pin bowling

• Balloon tennis

• Football

• Pool

• Walking groups

• Swimming

• Team games

• Alternative and adapted sports suitable for all abilities

Our sessions are designed so everyone can take part, regardless of age, ability or experience. The emphasis is always on having fun, building confidence and celebrating every achievement.

Working Together

Move & Thrive has grown into a fantastic community project thanks to the support of some incredible organisations.

We are proud to work alongside FEC, who generously provide access to their excellent studios at Victoria Riverside and Meadowside, giving our members fantastic facilities in which to stay active.

We have also been supported by local businesses such as Errigal, whose team have volunteered their time to help make our sessions even more enjoyable.

Our monthly sports days have welcomed friends from Manchester People First, creating opportunities for people from different organisations to come together through sport, friendship and fun.

Community partnerships are at the heart of everything we do. Every new connection strengthens the project and shows what can be achieved when organisations work together with a shared goal of creating inclusive opportunities for everyone.

More Than Just Sport

One of the most exciting parts of Move & Thrive has been seeing how sport has inspired creativity.

During England's recent football journey, our members embraced the excitement by linking our Creative Writing sessions with the nation's passion for football. Together they wrote and recorded their very own original song, "60 Years of Dreaming."

The project gave everyone the opportunity to share ideas, write lyrics, perform, record and work together as a team. It became much more than a song—it became a celebration of hope, friendship, community spirit and believing in yourself.

The project brought together an amazing network of people from across Manchester. We were delighted to welcome Jakki from The Beautiful Mancs and Hope Hub, who generously volunteered her time to support the vocal recording sessions. Her enthusiasm and encouragement helped bring the song to life, making the experience even more memorable for everyone involved.

The excitement surrounding the project continued to grow as we spoke with BBC Radio Manchester, helping us share the story of our members, the Move & Thrive project and the incredible impact that inclusive sport and creativity can have on people's lives.

Seeing so many people, businesses, charities and community organisations come together to support our members has been one of the greatest successes of the project. It demonstrates the power of partnership and shows that when a community works together, amazing things can happen.

🎵 Take a listen to "60 Years of Dreaming" and celebrate what our members have achieved.

The Difference It's Making

Since launching Move & Thrive, we've seen the positive impact it has had on so many lives.

Our members have:

• Grown in confidence.

• Improved their physical health and wellbeing.

• Made new friends.

• Developed greater independence.

• Tried activities they never imagined they could do.

• Become more active within their local community.

• Discovered new talents and interests.

• Built self-esteem through teamwork and achievement.

Watching people encourage one another, celebrate success and gain confidence every week is what Move & Thrive is all about.

A Community Effort

None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our supporters.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Sport England for funding the project, and to our partners FEC, Errigal, Manchester People First, The Beautiful Mancs, Hope Hub, our volunteers and everyone who has supported us along the way.

Together, we're creating opportunities, building confidence and changing lives.

Follow Our Journey

The smiles, laughter and achievements speak for themselves.

Visit our Facebook page to see regular updates, photographs and videos from our weekly sessions, monthly sports days, community partnerships and the amazing achievements of our members.

Our members absolutely love Move & Thrive, and we're proud to share their journey with everyone.

Help Us Keep Moving

Every donation helps us continue creating opportunities for adults with learning disabilities to live healthier, happier and more connected lives.

If you'd like to support The Shaw Centre and help us provide even more exciting activities, equipment, community events and life-changing experiences, we'd be incredibly grateful for your support.

You can donate through our JustGiving page, or get involved by volunteering, partnering with us or simply sharing our story.

Together, we're proving that with the right support, encouragement and opportunities, everyone can Move, Thrive and achieve amazing things.

Learning Disability Week 2026: Why Visibility and Inclusion Still Matter

Every year, Learning Disability Week offers an important opportunity to celebrate people with

learning disabilities, challenge outdated assumptions, and reflect on how inclusive our

communities really are.

In 2026, those conversations matter more than ever. In the UK, there are over 1.5 million people

with a learning disability. Ensuring their voices are heard and valued is what this week is about.

Let’s take time to turn awareness into action!

What Is Learning Disability Week?

Learning Disability Week is an annual awareness campaign dedicated to highlighting the

experiences, achievements, and rights of people with learning disabilities. This year it falls on

15th June - 21st June. It’s a time to recognise the challenges that still exist and to encourage

employers, schools and communities to become more inclusive.

Although awareness has improved in recent years, many people with learning disabilities are

still experiencing barriers in everyday life. These can include difficulties accessing education,

employment, healthcare or public services. Information is not always provided in accessible

formats, which can make it harder for some people to understand or fully participate in their

communities.

Why Representation Matters

Representation can shape attitudes and challenge long-standing misconceptions surrounding

learning disabilities. For many years, people with learning disabilities have been

underrepresented across society. From the media to within the community.

When representation is limited or inaccurate, stereotypes can continue and then often lead to

discrimination. Positive representation helps change the overall narrative.

The Importance of Understanding

Awareness alone doesn’t automatically create understanding. Many people still lack confidence

or knowledge when it comes to communicating with or supporting individuals with learning

disabilities. When people make assumptions about others; capabilities or independence, it often

creates unnecessary barriers.

Without a proper understanding, well-intentioned support can sometimes miss the mark or

people may unintentionally exclude others by not adapting communication styles or

environments. This can lead individuals to feel overlooked and underestimated in situations

where they should feel included and empowered.

Creating understanding within schools, workplaces and public services can lead to more

compassionate and inclusive environments where people feel supported rather than judged.

What Meaningful Inclusion Looks Like

Meaningful inclusion goes beyond policies or seasonal awareness campaigns. It involves

creating spaces and systems where people with learning disabilities can participate equally and

confidently.

This can include:

● Accessible communication and information

● Inclusive hiring and recruitment practices

● Opportunities for education, training, and career progression

● Support for independent decision-making

● Accessible community activities and public spaces

● Healthcare services that recognise individual needs

Inclusion should never be treated as an afterthought. When accessibility and inclusion are

prioritised from the beginning, everyone benefits.

Why These Conversations Still Matter Today

Many people with learning disabilities continue to experience limited opportunities and barriers

to essential services. Public attitudes may have improved, but stigma and misunderstanding

have not disappeared entirely. That is why Learning Disability Week is so important.

These conversations matter because they help people better understand what life is like for

people with learning disabilities. When people listen to real experiences and ask questions, it

becomes easier to understand the challenges people face and what support they may need.

This helps replace assumptions with clearer, more accurate understanding.

Better understanding can lead to real changes. People may improve how they communicate,

make information easier to access, and offer more support where needed.

The Shaw Centre

The Shaw Centre provide a friendly and supportive environment for adults with learning

disabilities, helping individuals develop confidence, independence, and valuable life skills.

Learning Disability Week serves as a reminder that inclusion is everyone’s responsibility!

Rosie Buckley, Freelance writer.