Jigsaw NI win prestigious Award in the Belfast Sports Awards

Jigsaw NI was nominated for the Health and Physical Activity category of the Belfast Sports Awards 2011 by Janet Flynn, Divis Community Centre, Lois Craig, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust – Brain Injury Team and Robert McQuiston, Older and Active Leader, BCSDN.



The Health and Physical Activity category sponsored by Boccia NI and WISPA, is an award to recognise the contribution of an individual or group promoting healthy living and affecting a change in culture and attitudes in Belfast. 

Jigsaw NI organises and facilitates Physical Activity and Art classes for adults with disabilities across Greater Belfast and Bangor. The Physical Activity classes range from Swimming, Soccer, Boccia, Chair-based Aerobics and Keep-Fit in the gym. All groups are made up of individuals with a range of disabilities, including Brain injury, Mobility problems, Cerebral Palsy, Sensory impairments, Multiple sclerosis, Arthritis, Learning disability etc. Classes are held in community settings, so as to promote social inclusion and decrease the isolation felt by individuals with disabilities. Jigsaw NI is a service open to anyone over the age of 18 from the greater Belfast area and South Eastern Trust area that has some form of disability or debilitating illness. 

Jigsaw NI has worked very hard to change the culture and attitudes people in Belfast have about people with disabilities participating in Sport and Physical Activity. Our members have found that becoming involved in a social group within their local community has improved their self-esteem, mobility, confidence, mood and their health in general.  Jigsaw NI is a great believer and huge promoters that Physical Activity is for ALL and that everyone can benefit from Physical Activity.



Jigsaw NI was invited to Belfast City Hall for the prestigious Belfast Sports Awards 2011, held on Thursday 31^st March and was awarded the Health and Physical Activity category award.  Attending on behalf of Jigsaw NI were Director – Nora Harte, Manager – Clare Lagan and Programme Assistant – Liz Bowman. Clare Lagan, Manager of Jigsaw NI said “We are happy to have been nominated and absolutely delighted to be named the Winner of the Health and Physical Activity award. It shows that the service Jigsaw NI offers is one that is valued and is recognised as one that promotes Healthy living and makes a positive change to the culture and attitudes in Belfast. We would like to thank BCSDN and anyone involved in the organising and running of the Belfast Sports Awards event.”

If you are interested in finding out more about Jigsaw NI or referring to one of our groups, contact Clare or Liz on 028 90319054.