Cambridge Rare Disease Network - People's Health Trust grant makes a world of difference to our Unique Feet group 1

In autumn 2017 we were delighted to be funded by a People’s Health Trust grant using money raised by Health Commit through the Health Lottery to help grow and develop our Unique Feet children’s activity group. People’s Health Trust is an independent charity funded by 51 local society lotteries and the money they raise through The Health Lottery and we are honoured to have received their support.

We’ve welcomed new members of all ages over the last few months and have been getting involved in all sorts of fun. The group began by meeting weekly for yoga sessions with Emily, our trusted Unique Feet supporter who has worked with us from it’s first steps in 2016.
Cambridge Rare Disease Network - People's Health Trust grant makes a world of difference to our Unique Feet group 2

So why yoga?

As our poster explains, yoga helps children to develop greater body awareness, improves attention span, supports them to develop muscle tone, flexibility, circulation and lung capacity.

The health benefits are significant but benefits come also in their confidence and they learn new skills and surprise themselves at what they can achieve together.  Most of all they have a chance to meet together and have fun!

Cambridge Rare Disease Network - People's Health Trust grant makes a world of difference to our Unique Feet group 3
The better weather has allowed the group to move on to outdoor activities now and they’ve been taking part in the weekly You Can Bike Too project. This is a brilliant award winning, all-ability cycling project delivered at Milton Country Park and the only project of its kind in Cambridge.

There are a wide range of bikes to suit individuals or groups which are great fun to try.  We’ve been trying out the colourful array of specially adapted bikes to help those with disabilities to take to their wheels and to support others to build confidence in riding.

Cambridge Rare Disease Network - People's Health Trust grant makes a world of difference to our Unique Feet group 4
Cambridge Rare Disease Network - People's Health Trust grant makes a world of difference to our Unique Feet group 5
Cambridge Rare Disease Network - People's Health Trust grant makes a world of difference to our Unique Feet group 6
Siblings joined us for a Christmas Party, and for bouncing fun at xtreme 360 trampoline park at Easter and there are horse-riding lessons planned for the summer term.  So much fun to look forward too!

It’s wonderful to see friendships and community developing amongst our local families living with rare conditions who can often feel isolated. The group is a wide mix of children of different ages and all with different conditions.

Cambridge Rare Disease Network - People's Health Trust grant makes a world of difference to our Unique Feet group 7