Soccer Skills for Service Users
Turnstone Support, a not-for-profit organisation based in Aylesbury and Windsor that supports adults with individual needs to lead fulfilling and independent lives, arranged a soccer skills session for ten service users with one of the professional coaching staff at Reading FC.
The participants, who all have learning disabilities, were able to take part in the session regardless of ability or mobility. The session reflected Turnstone’s approach and key values, including Choice & Independence, Inclusion, Communication and a person-centred approach.
A further six service users watched the session and all enjoyed a tour of the stadium, including the dressing rooms and the pitch as well as trying the heated substitutes bench. One lucky Turnstone service user even won a pair of match tickets for Reading’s home game on Sat 27th Feb against Sheffield Wednesday.
Turnstone Support is part of Radian and supports adults in Southern and Central England with individual needs, such as learning disabilities, autism, mental health and other related needs. Turnstone is renowned for its staff expertise and service user focus, and with strong embedded values, delivers the most complex of support and care services, offering peace of mind for individuals, commissioners, relatives, families and carers alike.
The training session was run by Phil Griffiths, the club’s Community Trust Disability Officer, who started coaching at Reading in 2002 before specialising in the coaching of both able bodied and disabled footballers. The training session was held at the famous Madjeski Stadium, home of Championship League side, Reading Football Club in their state-of-the-art, million pound, indoor training complex. 
Madeline Drake, Director of Turnstone Support said, “This was a fantastic opportunity for service users to see and experience the professional facilities of Reading Football Club. We hope it will be the first of many similar events we run together in future.”
Late last year the new Football Pools presented Reading FC’s Community Trust with a cheque for £60,000 to fund a new scheme that will help to grow disability football provision across the local area. 'Every Player Counts', a leading project of The Football League Trust, will see Reading’s Community Trust deliver a three-year scheme that will develop football opportunities for people with all types of disability in Berkshire and the Thames Valley.
Phil Griffiths commented, "This is the beginning of a new era for Reading Football Club and the Community Trust are delighted to work with the Football League Trust and the new Football Pools on this superb project. This funding will help the club aid, support, develop and raise awareness and participation levels of disability football in Berkshire.”
