Meet Shirley

Shirley recognised that her physical health could use some improvement, so during her annual review, she shared her goal of becoming more active. She then joined our new sports programme at the Vauxhall site and soon got stuck into boxing, badminton and keeping fit. 

Since then, Shirley’s Student Star™ score has risen from six to seven, moving her from the ‘stable’ category to ‘learning for yourself’. She’s set achievable fitness goals and has taken a more active role in her own wellbeing. Now, Shirley is even exercising in her own time! 

Our new sports programme offers a structured and supportive setting, which has helped Shirley develop social skills, boost her self-esteem, and feel a stronger sense of belonging. These aspects are making a positive difference in both her physical and mental health. 

We used an easy-read reflection sheet to capture Shirley’s thoughts on the programme. When asked what she enjoys most, she highlighted boxing and badminton and circled words like ‘exciting’, ‘tiring’ and ‘fun’. Her carer also commented, ‘She enjoys the boxing, she’s happier when she does the boxing’. 

Shirley’s tutor has noticed impressive progress as well, ‘Shirley has improved so much in her badminton skills. She’s now able to backhand serve and underarm hit. I think that Shirley is ambidextrous as each session she uses a different hand! We worked out her right hand is the strongest. Shirley always tries her best and in the boxing studio, she really enjoys counting to ten and listening to music.’