LJMU plays host to Help for Heroes community sport series weekend

LJMU welcomed members of the Armed Forces community to its sport facilities during a weekend in July as it played host to a regional multi-sports event organised by military veterans’ charity Help for Heroes.

Under its Armed Forces Covenant pledge, the university has been working closely with the charity to support its inclusive Community Sport Series, offering up its state-of-the-art facilities and assistance from the Sport and Physical Activity Department and the School of Sport And Exercise Sciences.

LJMU staff assisted Help for Heroes sport coaches and local sports teams to facilitate a range of inclusive and fully accessible sport sessions to a group being supported by the charity.  

Dr Gus Ryrie, University Armed Forces Champion and Senior Lecturer in the School of Sport and Exercise Science, said: “Sport and physical activity can be integral to a person’s wellbeing and group sport really boosts that sense of community and camaraderie, something that veterans often miss once leaving the military.

“Being able to support Help for Heroes by hosting this event not only met objectives that LJMU has in relation to promoting the Armed Forces Covenant but also the university’s commitment to supporting community activities and to enhancing the provision of inclusive and empowering sport and physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities.

“More importantly at a human level it was an opportunity to get involved, ‘pull up a sandbag’ and chat to the veterans and be inspired by their resilience and enthusiasm.”

Cameron Stewart, who works at the university’s sport centre and is studying on the BSc Sport and Exercise Science programme, led warm-up and wellbeing activities during the weekend.

Sessions in wheelchair basketball were facilitated by local club Cheshire Phoenix, walking rugby league was led by St Helens RFC Community Team, and indoor adaptive tennis was taught by Liverpool Tennis Centre.

Trained coaches from the Help for Heroes programme also delivered sessions in powerlifting, indoor rowing, boccia and pickleball.  

Ryan Hunt, Help for Heroes Sport and Innovation Manager, said: “The Community Sport Series is a great opportunity for members of the Armed Forces community to try new activities, discover new places and meet new people.

“In the days following our event in Liverpool we have already had discussions with veterans about joining local sports clubs, starting education journeys, and heard multiple stories of new friendships formed.

“Huge thanks to everyone at LJMU for actively supporting this event and adding real quality to the experience.”

LJMU’s support for the Armed Forces community

LJMU signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021. Since then, it has appointed its first Armed Forces Champion and formed a cross-university Armed Forces Steering Group, which brings together colleagues across all factions of the university to drive forwards everything from research to HR policy development, all with the aim of better supporting students and staff from the Armed Forces community and creating positive change for the community across the UK.

Find out more about LJMU’s pledge to the Armed Forces community.

LJMU’s Disability Sport and Physical Activity (DisSPA) Network

The DisSPA network aims to provide a transdisciplinary space to connect members and allies who advocate for, and collaborate to, enhance the provision of more inclusive and empowering sport and physical activity opportunities for people with disability.

The network is based in LJMU’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

About Help for Heroes

Help for Heroes supports members of the Armed Forces community to live well after service.

There are many ways the charity helps veterans, their relatives, serving personnel, and people who worked alongside the UK military.

From helping people with their physical and mental health. To giving people the support, skills, confidence, and knowledge to make a success of life in the civilian world.

It’s an injustice that people don’t get a fair deal from the country they risked everything for. Help for Heroes won’t stop until those who served to keep us safe, get the support they deserve.