Cycling event helps Rochdale borough gear up for disability awareness week

Number One Riverside will take on a very different look next week, with circus skills, wheelchair basketball and accessible bike demonstrations set to show showing Rochdale Council’s visitors that disability is no barrier to sport.

The activities, which will also include boccia, a type of bowling, and drumming workshops, will take place on Monday 7 and Friday 11 July to mark National Disability Awareness Week.

The events, which take place from 10am to 4pm on each of the days, were organised by Rochdale Council with support from Link4Life, who provide a range of activities for people with physical disabilities. As well as sports and activities, a number of organisations will be on hand to offer advice.

This includes help on how to use personal budgets, which allow anyone who gets financial support from the council’s adult care team to make their own decisions about how to spend this money to get the care they want.

The Carers’ Resource will also be on hand to let people know about the help and support available to carers, while the Home Improvement Agency will be demonstrating how assistive technology works to help people stay independent for as long as possible.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) will be talking to people about the new extra care facility which is set to open at Hare Hill in Littleborough next year, while leaflets on day services and befriending groups will also be available on the two days.

Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Adult Care at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This will be a really positive event which will demonstrate in a vibrant and exciting way that disability is no barrier to leading a full life. It will also be packed with useful information for our residents. I’d encourage everyone to come along and take a look.”