SCORE enables individuals with significant learning disabilities to participate in sport, the arts, leisure, training, voluntary work, employment and social enterprise within their communities. The project shapes itself to the individuals involved and follows them along whichever pathway they wish to take, providing support, guidance, friendship and trust. The key to its success is partnership between us and those we work alongside.

Keith's story

Keith has been an enthusiastic member of the SCORE project since its conception.

"I play snooker every Thursday with my friends; I like the fact that we walk there on our own - it's good fun.

"My Tuesday job at the Hereford Leisure Centre: I go on the train on my own; I like it because it is my own job and I feel responsible. My Friday job I work as a Cleaning Assistant at SCORE, I look forward to my pay packet.

"I enjoyed dancing with my friends in The Attitude Dance Company, I felt very proud at the end of the show. You know you are good at it because at the end people clap and it makes you feel happy."

Time Bank

Since becoming the Hereford Time Bank, SCORE is no longer recognisable as an Opportunities Service. It is a community-wide opportunity in which anyone can participate, with SCORE Project members becoming Time Bank members.

Those involved with the project now contribute 'time' to our social enterprises, including our Fairtrade retail outlet and delivery service. They withdraw 'time' by being supported to participate in the arts, sport, and leisure opportunities that the project offers. These are real life experiences, building a sense of responsibility, offering training, personal development and building future opportunities. Time Banks are about giving and taking time - 'banking time, building communities'.

Rugby Inclusion Project

The Rugby Inclusion Project is a partnership project involving TACT, The Rugby Football Union, The English Federation of Disability Sport and is receiving funding from the Active Sports Community Fund.

This exciting and innovative rugby project was launched in Herefordshire and Shropshire in May 2003. Its aim is to bring life-changing opportunities to people with learning disabilities within the local community.

The project supports the creation of new sustainable learning disability sections within pilot clubs such as Telford Hornets in Shropshire, Hereford RFC and the Greyhound in Herefordshire, with many other clubs feeding into the project. We also support the formation of both junior and senior sections working in conjunction with the Active Sports Program, targeted at the grass roots level and as part of the local rugby community.

People with learning disabilities get few opportunities to participate in sport. This project has opened the door to a world of inclusion, increased fitness, self-belief, team involvement, wide ranging social opportunities, a chance to compete - all of the benefits usually associated with involvement in sport.

Partnerships between special schools, County Councils, local rugby clubs and the RFU have been forged. Now the project has four club leaders who ensure that introductory sessions held at local schools and colleges are active, purposeful, enjoyable and safe. Weekly training sessions and tournaments are held at local rugby clubs.

Tag rugby is a safe, fun and exciting variation of non-contact rugby. Players wear tag belts around their waist and two Velcro tags are attached at the hip. Tag rugby can be played with as few as five players. Most importantly, it is a fun and exciting game that both male and female players of all ages and abilities can enjoy.

New links have been forged with rugby's premiership and TACT believes that rugby inclusion has a great future and will build on recent success.