PEOPLE with complex disabilities in Dorset will have a greater opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity, following the announcement of more than £1.3million funding.

National disability charity, Sense, has been awarded £1,338,449 by Sport England to tackle the issue of ‘inactivity’ amongst people with complex disabilities across the south west, which, research shows, has a detrimental effect on physical health and mental wellbeing.

According to research carried out by Sport England, inactivity –less than thirty minutes exercise a week – is more common for disabled people (42per cent) than non-disabled people (21 per cent).

Furthermore, it increases sharply as the number of impairments an individual has increases – 51per cent of people with complex disabilities are inactive.

Today’s funding, from Sport England through the National Lottery, will enable Sense to expand its programme of sports provision, working with local partners to run accessible sport sessions in Poole, Exeter, Bristol and Trowbridge.

Sense National sports manager Alissa Ayling, said: “Over half of all people with complex disabilities miss out on participating in sport and physical exercise, which is vital for keeping healthy, learning new skills and making new friends.

"This funding will enable us to create lifelong opportunities for people with complex disabilities to be active by establishing meaningful, engaging, and local opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity.”