PHOTOGRAPHS illustrating how sport is for all, have this week gone on show in Okehampton. The photographic exhibition features shots of people enjoying a wide range of sporting activities, ranging from fishing to football, during this year?s Okehampton Sports Week. The Okehampton Community Recreational Association (OCRA) and The 5x30 Project worked in conjunction with Devon County Council?s Fulfilling Lives Service for People with Learning Disabilities, to ensure that the community event was inclusive to everyone. Some of the highlights of the exhibition, on show at the Puzzletree Drop-In Centre ? behind Okehampton Post Office ? include a picture of 50-year-old Lindy Williamson who proudly shows off her first catch at Spiers Lake near North Tawton. Another shows Keith Williamson, 44, trying his hand at a game of bowls at North Tawton Bowls Club. David Skrzypczak, who uses the Fulfilling Lives Service run from Puzzletree, said: ?I learnt so many different skills, Sports Week was a good opportunity to try out lots of new things I?ve never tried before. ?I really enjoyed the fishing but I couldn?t catch a fish so I would like to try it again,? Keith Williamson added. Another participant, Lisa, said: ?Exercise is important to me because I had a stroke a while ago; it helps my arms and legs. I really liked joining in with Sports Week. I tried football, fishing and the Alexandra technique. I would like to do it again.? A team of staff and volunteers supported people to access the events. Rachel Waters, a member of the Fulfilling Lives staff, said: ?The sports week provided a good opportunity for building relationships with the wider community.? Vicky Hooper, another member of staff, said: ?Sports Week has given many people the opportunity to try new things. ?Most events were a great success and, at the request of many of the participants during the week, we now aim to build on these sporting activities opportunities for people to access in the future. I would like to thank all of those who got involved?. Peter Creswell, a volunteer, said: ?It was very, very good ? everyone got together and had a lot of fun?. Cllr Sally Morgan, Devon County Council?s executive support member for social affairs and health, said: ?People with learning disabilities should have every opportunity ? like everyone else ? to enjoy what the community has to offer. Through the work of our excellent team, people now have more choice and independence to lead fulfilling lives.? Puzzletree provides a hub and drop-in for people with learning disabilities who use the Fulfilling Life Services. The base allows users to access activities and events in the community, including going to college, the gym, swimming and cycling the Granite Way. The scheme has been running two years and replaces the traditional day centre, which used to provide sessions, in computers and crafts for example, at The Leaze.
