Lord-Lieutenant bounces in to give seal of approval for trampoline group

The county’s Lord Lieutenant has been finding out about the unique work of group helping to improve the lives of young adults with disabilities.

Anna Turner visited Shrewsbury Sports Village this week where she got to see the work of TSTC Disability Trampolining first hand.

The group, which was set up in Essex then brought to Shropshire by its founder Tricia Sharp, provides therapeutic training for adults with disabilities – using trampolines.
Mrs Sharp, who has been a British Gymnastics Trampoline Coach for more than 40 years, received the British Empire Medal for her services to the sport in 2021.

Since 1998 she has specialised in delivering therapeutic trampolining to disabled people of all ages in Essex. But, when she moved to Shropshire she found there was no such activity available, so in March this year set up a brand new service for adults at the Shrewsbury Sports Village, as well as at Severndale Specialist Academy for its pupils.

During her visit, the Lord Lieutenant was introduced to a number of people who have helped set up and support the service, before meeting the people who use it to find out how it helps.
They included the centre manager Cameron Holtz, Shropshire adult social care team mMnager Andrea Williams, British Gymnastics head of corporate governance Lucy Smith, Severndale Specialist Academy headteacher Brian Thomas and Stewart Smith, Shropshire Council’s commissioning & development manager community partnerships.

Mrs Turner said she had been thrilled to see the work, and its impact, first hand – and couldn’t resist having a go herself.
She said: “I was asked to visit to go and see what trampolining can do for people with disabilities and I was absolutely convinced seeing the smiles on their faces and the anticipation of the young ones about to do the trampolining, I just understood it was just what young people love to do.

“Also, at the same time it is wonderful exercise for them.”
Mrs Turner said that she had been impressed by Mrs Sharp’s desire to set up the group – and provide help that could make a huge difference to those taking part.
She said: “Tricia Sharp came from Essex where she ran a trampoline club that had four trampolines, to Shropshire to retire – but realised we didn’t have the facilities here and started up again, and now she realises Shropshire needs more trampolines and I understand this.”
“You could see it had a great benefit for those young people taking part.”
Mrs Turner said she would be supporting an effort from Mrs Sharp to get more trampolines into the county to provide more people with the therapy.