KEEN provides exercise, fun, and socialisation for people with additional needs in Oxfordshire - our "Athletes" and "Members". With our dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers, KEEN runs five weekly sessions providing a huge range of sporting, creative and social activities to children and adults. Athletes are usually paired one-to-one with a coach, which allows us to tailor activities to their individual needs, allowing them to reach their full potential.
Why the community needs us
KEEN's immediate benefit is to our participants with special needs, providing them with social and sporting opportunities that may otherwise be unavailable to them. We also provide respite support to parents and carers. KEEN acts as a powerful bond, binding Oxford's many communities - KEEN volunteers are often students or young professionals while Athletes and their families come from every conceivable type of Oxfordshire background. KEEN brings these people together with a shared purpose.
Our impact on the community
KEEN encourages exercise and health. For example, allowing Athletes with severe learning disabilities the chance to "join in a range of different sports and to exercise." We also facilitate social development. For example, the mother of another Athlete wrote "over the years, his ability to join in games has improved. I was amazed when I saw him kick a football to another person at a session."