Sight Loss Awareness and Guide Running Workshop success

The Sight Loss Awareness & Guide Running Workshop which was held in Northampton last week attracted 13 candidates in total including 2 with a visual impairment, one of whom was also a wheelchair user who is keen to do more physical activity.

The workshop provides runners, leaders, coaches and volunteers with information and experience in off-track guide running for people with a visual impairment, and cover a number of areas including types of visual impairment (VI), behaviour and terminology and how to make running sessions VI friendly. The two hour workshop also includes a practical element where attendees get the chance to experience guiding and being guided by each other.

Northamptonshire Sport organised the Sight Loss and Guide Running Workshops developed by England Athletics and written in conjunction with British Blind Sport.  The picture above shows shows some of the candidates navigating a kerb in the Northamptonshire County Council car park

One of the people who benefitted from the workshop was Jill Shinnick, "I really enjoyed the workshop - it was informative and ran at exactly the right pace. I am hoping I can put my training into practice soon!”

The picture shows Danny Stedman - a candidate with a visual impairment - being supported to run by another course candidate and NSport Disability Officer Graeme Wilson.

If you are a club, Run England leader, sighted runner, visually impaired runner or volunteer and would like to express an interest in taking part or hosting a workshop please contact your local England Athletics Activator or Club and Coach Support Officer