Words Brian Flynn | Pictures Jonathan Moore

The funds raised from Joseph Adams’ ‘No Limits’ challenge have had an unbelievable impact on Altrincham FC Community Sports and the programmes delivered for children, young people and adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Since September, we have been able to appoint a full-time ‘Alty Ability Officer’, Alex Heywood, who leads all ‘Alty Ability Programmes’ delivered by Altrincham FC Community Sports, the first time that the charity has been able to appoint a specific person to fulfil this vitally important role.

With the appointment of Alex, the ‘Alty Ability Programme’ has gone from strength to strength with existing programmes continuing to grow, including the creation of a Pan Ability Football Team who play in the ‘Cheshire Ability Counts League’ and have just finished the season in an excellent 3rd place and Sport Social, which provides an opportunity for adults with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) or disabilities to socialise and play in a variety of sports such as Boccia, Curling or just have a friendly game of Uno, which has seen an increase in participants that we are able to support.

The most exciting element of Alex’s appointment has been the many new programmes we have been able to start that will support the physical and mental wellbeing of children, young people and adults with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) or disabilities. 

Totally Alty

A brilliant social club that runs monthly on a Friday evening and enables adults to mix and enjoy activities such as Pool, Air Hockey, Arts & Crafts, X Box, Table Tennis or just sit and chat over some snacks from the tuck shop.

Lego Club

Delivered in primary schools, this session provides children who struggle with the noise and unstructured nature of lunch times. FIRST LEGO League Explore is a non-competitive robotics program designed for children ages six to nine. It is one of the programs established by FIRST.

FIRST LEGO League Explore follows the same theme given to the FIRST LEGO League Challenge.

Primary School Inclusion Festivals

Every month we have been delighted to invite Primary Schools from Altrincham, Timperley & Sale to participate in our inclusion festivals, held in The J.Davidson Stadium, Community Sports Hall. They have enabled children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) or a disability to take part in non-competitive activities such as boccia, curling, goal ball & Seated Volleyball.

Neurodiversity Training

Our Alty Ability Officer has delivered neurodiversity training in local businesses and to the Altrincham FC Community Sports coaching team to increase their knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity and how to support children and adults.

Match Day Support

For supporters with visual impairments there are specialised headsets available at all home games, which will provide them with live radio commentary of the game, courtesy of Radio Robins and broadcasting on RadioAlty.

This allows supporters to fully immerse themselves into the matchday experience by making this experience more accessible.

For neurodiverse supporters we have created sensory bags/items which are available at all home games. The aim of this is to ensure that the matchday experience is both enjoyable and inclusive. The sensory bags/items are available for supporters of all ages and are free of charge. The feedback from supporters who have accessed the service has been positive and making the matchday experience more enjoyable for these fans.

In addition to the already wonderful work that Alex is delivering with our Community Coaching team, we have some exciting plans to increase our support further for children & adults with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) or disabilities:

Panathlon

A fantastic sporting programme – which includes multi-sports, football, ten-pin bowling and boccia & will give participants the opportunity to represent their school in sporting competition that they are so often otherwise denied. In addition, our in-school ‘virtual’ programme will contain simplified activities that can be delivered in school by staff.

Employability Programme

From September, Altrincham FC Community Sports will deliver its first employability programme that will support adults with SEND ((Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) or a disability aged 18 plus to gain skills linked to employability such as CV writing, Problem Solving, Overcoming Barriers, Mental Health Support and qualifications that will support them to gain employment.

This was a particular passion for Phil & Julie Adams as they wanted to be able to support adults with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) or disabilities to gain employment and work experience to support them post-education.

Altrincham FC Community Sports manager, Simon Dow, said, “I am absolutely delighted that Joseph has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025. His fantastic efforts in raising an amazing amount of money has already supported our Alty Ability Programme significantly and with the new programmes due to start in September, the legacy from his fundraising will be unsurpassed.

"Joseph continues to be a central part to our programmes as he now volunteers with our inclusivity festivals, helping to inspire the next generation of children. We are extremely proud to have Joseph as a key part of the Alty family and can’t thank him enough for everything he has done for the charity and Altrincham Football Club.”

You can read the Alty Ability Impact Report here.