Aiming for a Perfect Start – social enterprise enters swimathon

In less than three weeks time, eight people from Perfect Start a unique United Response skills centre for people with learning disabilities in north-west London, will take part in ‘In the Swim 2012’ - United Response’s first ever charity swimathon event.

 Opened in partnership with the London Borough of Hillingdon, Perfect Start offers local people with learning disabilities the opportunity to develop the life skills and experience they need to move towards greater independence and employment. Support can range from providing information on local training and employment opportunities, to supporting people to get involved in the local community.

 Perfect Start has a dedicated IT suite which service staff use to offer vocational IT training to people we support, to enhance independence through the development of skills such as budgeting, opening a bank account and paying bills. However, the computers at Perfect Start are currently in a state of disrepair and in great need of replacing.

 Therefore, in an inspiring display of team spirit, eight people associated with Perfect Start will be taking part in In the Swim 2012 to help fund new computers at the centre. They will form two teams of four, comprising of people supported at the service and staff members.

  ”Although our current computers have served us well, they really need replacing,” says Maggie Narbeth, service manager at Perfect Start. “We’re hoping the money raised from In the Swim 2012 will help us kickstart this refurbishment. Without the IT suite operational, we cannot offer important skills and training to the people we support at the service. In these difficult economic times, this can have a really negative knock-on effect on people’s lives.”

 In the Swim 2012 promotes inclusivity in sport and is designed to enable everyone to participate – regardless of swimming ability.  Everyone takes part in groups of four, with each team challenged to swim 2012m between them – there are no restrictions on how much an individual swims, as long as everyone chips in!

 If you have been inspired by the teams from Perfect Start and would like take part in In the Swim 2012, why not sign up today?  The minimum sponsorship target is only £250, and the £25 registration fee contributes to this!  

 If getting wet isn’t your thing, why not sponsor Perfect Start to take part in ‘In the Swim 2012’ instead? Just visit our donate now page and once you have added your details write ‘Perfect Start’ in the donation target box – every penny will be gratefully received!

 Mark Schueler, fundraising officer.