Charity Foundation “Metallurg”
Sports on an equal footing with everyone!
Main values
Geography: Chelyabinsk Oblast
CSS contribution, rubles
Total budget, rubles
Implementation period, months
Project idea
Children with special health needs are among the most vulnerable group of people, and, regardless of the nature of their impairments, are in dire need of rehabilitation classes.
Both children with mental impairments and their parents have a need for adaptive physical education (APE) sessions. Such activities are geared towards the development of vital motor skills, the enhancement of physical qualities and abilities, and overall health reinforcement.
The project is aimed at a group of no less than 28 children with mental impairments aged 8 to 14 and their parents. As the primary working methods, practices with proven effectiveness will be utilized, including:
adaptive physical education sessions in a specially equipped gym, therapeutic sporting activities “Ski Dreams. Roller Dreams” based at a sports club, sessions in a trampoline park, health swimming group sessions in a swimming pool.
Training sessions are conducted under the supervision of experienced, qualified master sportsmen. Furthermore, within the framework of the project, a large sports festival will be organized for children with mental peculiarities. A therapeutic physical education instructor will undergo a professional development program in “Adaptive Physical Education.” Parents will be provided with training on methods of adaptive physical education. The project’s implementation will enhance children’s physical development and motor activity, foster social skills, and improve the adaptive and functional abilities of their bodies.
Relevance
Due to their condition, children with mental disabilities often find themselves isolated from society, which contributes to low social adaptation, communication challenges, and introversion.
Additionally, a lack of physical activity elevates the risk of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. All these factors lead to a decline in children’s physical, psychological, and mental health, thus diminishing their quality of life.
In today’s circumstances, social rehabilitation involves not just treatment and health improvement, but also the nurturing of maximum independence and readiness for a self-reliant and fulfilling life in society for children with special health needs.
Regular physical activity also serves as a tool for education, anxiety reduction, engagement with the surrounding world, and the development of communication skills.
Social effect
Enhancing the quality of life of families with children with special health needs in Magnitogorsk through adaptive physical education.
KPI
KPI
Project Results
The “Sports on an equal footing with everyone!” project has successfully facilitated the physical and social rehabilitation of 28 children, aged between 8 to 14, with mental disabilities, using adaptive physical education sessions.
The children’s motor skills were assessed at the initial, intermediate, and final stages of the project. The children have gained ball-throwing skills, their exercises with objects have become more confident, their balance has improved, they have learned independent walking on gymnastic benches, obstacle overcoming, catching and throwing a ball into a hoop, and their climbing skills have improved. The children have shown a decrease in fatigue and an increase in their adaptive abilities. Coaches have observed an improvement in communication skills and vocabulary expansion in some children. The sessions have aided in the development of fine motor skills for the hands and fingers. Parents have noticed an improvement in their children’s attention span, self-control, and self-regulation.
The culminating event, “Sports Festival”, was held at the “Metallurg-Magnitogorsk” sports club. The event was attended by 40 children, accompanied by their parents. During the event, the children had the opportunity to demonstrate the skills they have acquired throughout the project. Specifically, they showcased skills in autonomous and confident roller skating, agility, quick-wittedness, accurate task completion, effective teamwork, and established interpersonal relationships.
Project progress after CSS funding
The “Sports on an equal footing with everyone!” project, an innovative extension of the “Family Co-creation Platform - Growing Together!” initiative, will continue its development through the help of charitable donations. The Metallurg Charity Foundation is extending its efforts with children with special health needs; with plans under the fund to establish a Children’s Rehabilitation Centre. At present, the foundation is undertaking refurbishment work in a 426 sq. m space, where it is planned to open “Mosaic”, a center for children with special mental needs. Within the scope of the center’s operations, it is planned to carry out adaptive physical education and sports sessions. The equipment and materials, purchased using grant money, will be installed in the Sports Hall of the Centre. The opening is anticipated for late 2023 or early 2024. Sessions for skiing and roller sports are set to commence in September 2023
