SCORE unites with DJ to create innovative Fit Kit for the disabled

People with learning disabilities in the South West will be getting fit to their own beat in the New Year with the help of an innovative Fit Kit.

The Fit Kit – a CD and dance fitness regime made by people with learning disabilities specifically for their peers has been created through Affinity Trust’s Opportunities Service, known locally as the SCORE Project.

More than 300 people with disabilities will receive the Fit Kit in the New Year – giving them the chance to increase their fitness levels in the comfort of their own home and at their own pace.

The Fit Kit has been created by members of the SCORE project in Herefordshire who teamed up with a local charitable organisation The Music Pool to provide a DJ, studio and editing suites to create the 15-minute CD.

SCORE members worked closely with Herefordshire Hip Hop musician Mark “Lofty” Loughman and DJ Dave “Cutlavis” Lavis. The musicians helped create and produce the track which samples the SCORE members’ voices as well as their live percussion, resulting in a high-energy, original piece of music.

In January, 10 SCORE members will work with local fitness instructors from Herefordshire’s HALO Leisure Centre to create a dance fitness regime to complement the music. These members will then take the Fit Kit project on the road, holding events across Hereford, teaching as many as 300 disabled people how to use their free Fit Kit.

Laura Harvey, SCORE member, said: “We are looking forward to teaching people the dance moves and hope that people will get fit with the beat.”

Gail Ladd, SCORE manager added: “Through teaching the dance routine and giving away free CDs we hope it will encourage local people with a learning disability to play the CD at home, keep fit and have fun.”

The Fit Kit project received the required £1,500 funding from Herefordshire Council’s Learning Disability Development Fund.