To enable people with intellectual disability (ID) to become physical activity leaders.
What is PPALs?
The aim of this project is to design and pilot a programme to enable people with intellectual disability (ID) to become physical activity leaders (PALs) in their community.
How does it work?
This is a cross country collaborative project funded by the European programme EIT Health. Led by Trinity College Dublin (represented by the Intellectual Disability Supplement to TILDA (IDS-TILDA) and Trinity Sport, the project has partners in Spain (University of Barcelona) and Germany (Technical University Munich) and Age & Opportunity in Ireland.
The three locations, Ireland, Germany and Spain, have been selected to enable cross-country comparisons. It allows for the delivery of a practical programme in three different service contexts, cultural contexts and languages, providing a different perspective for all three countries – with, however, a shared vision of access to and participation in sport, leisure, art, cultural and other activities as a central component of how citizens with ID engage in society and achieve a sense of community belonging.
PPALs phase one
Phase one consisted of a collaboration between the Irish parters and Spain. Over the course of 2018, PPALs developed the skills and confidence of 15 people with ID in Ireland and 15 people with ID in Spain to lead activities. These people now lead and encourage sport and activity back in their services.
PPALs phase two
In PPALs phase 2 we were delighted to welcome the Technical University of Munich onboard as the third partner going forward. We had our first collaboration meeting in Barcelona in February 2020 and finalised plans for progress through the rest of the year.
For more information check out our PPALs Leaflet here and our testimonials about the course here.
Check out the 7 part PPALs active series here.
Check out the full, online celebration of the PPALs 2020 below:
Below is a PPALs instructional video to remain active during Covid-19:
Context for how to use zoom video
Restrictions imposed due to Covid-19 has dramatically altered the ways and means all people communicate. Face to face contact has been restricted and visiting people’s homes has not been an option for almost the life of the project. The use and importance of electronic means of communication was highlighted as essential so people had to use mediums such as Zoom, What’s App and Skype to stay in touch with friends and family. The project team similarly engaged with this form of communication where visiting was restricted or prohibited. In an effort to support this new increased online activity, an accessible video on the use of Zoom and how to stay safe while using Zoom was developed.
Contact
For information speak to our Active Programme team.
People always say that ‘you’re only as old as you feel’. Well, it turns out to be true. Science has proven that staying active keeps your body younger and your mind happier, no matter what it says on your birth cert. Being active can help your body to stay strong and supple improve balance and coordination aiding in falls prevention A healthy mind and body can help fight off colds and infections and many common illnesses. Exercise keeps you sharp and, best of all, it cheers you up and boosts your energy.
Being active just 30 minutes a day can offer you a range of benefits including:
- Better balance
- Co-ordination
- Greater range of movement
- Flexibility
- Better strength
- Stay healthier
- Be more content
- Increase energy levels
- Increased social connection
- Prevent Falls
