New Electric Wheelchairs for Disabled Players

Who are we?

We are an indoor bowls club formed in 1990, leasing a purpose built facility from the local authority to enable outdoor bowlers to continue the game indoors during the winter months. We now have over 500 playing members and cater for people of all ages and abilities with many continuing to bowls indoors during the summer months. We are a CASC registered organisation, run as a not for profit Club. We are open to all members of the community and have social memberships available. Over the years we have fully maintained the building at our expense and further developed the facilities with the latest addition being a new electronic scoreboard.

We are a friendly club, totally run by volunteers including our in house maintenance team. We provide both competitive and social bowling from 9am to 9pm throughout the week and each morning at weekends with interclub or friendly matches in the afternoons. We have a welcoming franchised cafe and a licensed bar run by volunteers. Whilst many of our members are of the older age spectrum we also have some younger members and several of our latest recruits are not yet retired.

We also cater for people with a range of abilities as bowls can be played by people with physical or mental limitations. Our facilities are totally disabled friendly with entry through automatic opening sliding doors and level access throughout including portable ramps for wheelchair access to the playing surface. We have a range of equipment available to assist the less mobile to play the game more effectively, including bowls lifters, walking sticks with extra large ferules, bowls arms, bowls pushers and two dilapidated bowls specific wheelchairs which are pushed by helpers.

Why are we Crowdfunding?

Whilst we have a number of facilities and equipment to make bowling easier for those with various disabilities there is a need to update our equipment with the provision of two electric wheelchairs. Our existing dilapidated wheelchairs are now at the end of their life and it is difficult to obtain replacement parts for them as the manufacturer has ceased trading. Also not only will electric wheelchairs avoid the need for assistants to push them, most importantly they will also give the users greater independence and the ability to play with and against able bodied bowlers on an equal footing enabling them to feel fulfilled and part of the club.

Renting our premises together with maintaining them, takes a large part of our committed income and some financial help towards the purchase of two new electric wheelchairs, which are approved by our national governing body for use on our expensive artificial green, would be most welcome. These would enable our disabled members to become fully independent in playing the game of bowls. Indeed two of our members with Parkinson's are now in a position where they are ready to integrate with our able bodied players in proper game play rather than practise. The chairs will also be available to any of other members or visitors who may need them in order to play.

How we’ll spend the money raised

The funds raised through our Crowdfunding campaign will be allocated to specific areas to maximise their impact. We will prioritise the purchase of essential equipment, such as specialised wheelchairs, to enhance the playing experience for our members.  Your generous contributions will directly contribute to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for our wheelchair bowls community.

Community impact

Bowls is a low impact sport and suitable for a variety of disabled people. Many disabled people have long standing physical and mental health difficulties and often experience further deterioration in their mobility and health with the onset of age. It may be necessary for them to adjust playing styles and learn how to overcome the obstacles and challenges presented by their individual health challenges. With the use of adaptations and specialist adapted equipment and aids it is possible for them to have a fulfilling involvement in the sport. Other barriers to participation include financial pressures due to disability restraints, unemployment, retirement, transportation difficulties and lack of suitable & locally accessible playing environments. A good standard of inclusive bowls provision within accessible geographical reach is critical to regular involvement with likeminded people and make friendships for life.

We believe that by being physically and mentally active, the disabled can be happier, healthier and more engaged with their community.  We have always prided ourselves that we cater for all sections of the community including the disabled and have recently provided a meeting place for a local Parkinson's Group. Some have their members have taken up the game but need additional support with mobility. This project will help to show how all encompassing we are and hopefully encourage wider community participation and use of our facilities.

How you can play your part

There are a number of simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is the key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us to raise the required funds to buy the necessary equipment to make bowls a more normal experience for our mobility impaired bowlers. The more people we reach the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

5. Join us. Purchase a ‘Social Membership' for £10 or ‘Individual Playing Membership’ for £50. There are opportunities to play in both social and domestic league games as well as various competitions. Coaching is available. Further details about the club can be found at: www.stamfordindoorbowls.co.uk/

If you wish to visit us and try out the game we have an Open Weekend on Saturday & Sunday 14 & 15 September 2024 see our event on Facebook events here: Bowls Open Weekend

Please support us in any way you can so that we can make our disabled bowlers dreams come true.  It will broaden the range of people within our community that we can help.

Thank you.