Swans Foundation link with National Autistic Society to deliver wellbeing programme for parents
Swansea City AFC Foundation partnered with the National Autistic Society (NAS) to deliver the FIT NAS programme across the summer and support the health and wellbeing of parents of children with autism.
Beginning at the start of the school summer holidays, the initiative encouraged parents of those with autism to exercise and focus on their wellbeing, offering activities that they can do on their own or with their children.
The programme began with a tour of the Swansea.com Stadium and walk through the surrounding areas, before offering healthy cooking sessions, walking football, dance classes and chair yoga.
In addition to regular sessions for participants, FIT NAS also included a live step challenge across its duration, encouraging participants to take time to walk and get out of the house. Over the course of the challenge, participants racked up 3,325 miles across 12 weeks.
The children in the sessions were also treated to a football session led by Swansea City legend and club ambassador Lee Trundle.
Rhys Davies, health and wellbeing officer at Swansea City Foundation, was pleased to see the impact the FIT NAS sessions had on participants and believes it will benefit them in the long term.
“It’s been really rewarding to see the parents spending time with their kids, and also taking time to focus on their own health and wellbeing,” said Davies.
“If you don’t focus on your own health and wellbeing it is hard to care for someone else.
“It’s just about taking positive steps towards long-term changes, so it’s been good to see them excited to take part in the activities.”
Eve Dewson is a member of the NAS. Having taken part in the programme, she feels she has a better understanding of how to balance her caring responsibilities and managing her own wellbeing.
“Just learning to be out there, get our steps in, and taking that time for yourself has been great,” said Dewson.
“We got the children involved in activities, and also made a bit of time for us and we were able to do it around our caring roles.
“It’s hard as a mum with all the commitments, you always put yourself last. Once you do give yourself that little bit of time, you become much better at looking after someone else once you look after yourself.”