Welcome to a new concept in teaching
Active Therapy Foundation is a charity dedicated
to enabling children and young adults with a disability
to access a mainstream environment
How you can help?
Working in Home
What makes the Active Therapy programme so unique is that it brings everyone together — the child, siblings, parents, and, where appropriate, other professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and teachers.
This shared approach means everyone understands how to use the same techniques and language, so that progress continues wherever the child is — at home, in school, or out in the community. Parents learn how to break skills down into small, achievable steps, while siblings are encouraged to take part and celebrate success together.
By working in partnership, families become more confident, more consistent, and more creative in how they help their children grow. That’s what we mean by working at home — a joined-up approach that turns everyday moments into opportunities for learning, independence, and pride.
Working at Schools
Active Therapy doesn’t stop at home — it continues into the classroom. Our approach helps teachers and teaching assistants understand how to break skills down into manageable steps so that every child, regardless of ability, can take part and succeed.
Through practical workshops and in-class guidance, we help teachers gain the confidence to adapt lessons and physical activities so that all pupils can join in. Children with disabilities are encouraged to work alongside their peers, developing both skill and self-belief.
We work closely with schools to share ideas, provide simple resources, and offer ongoing support. It’s not about changing the child — it’s about changing the way we teach, so that every child can shine, belong, and contribute equally to the life of the school.
On the World Stage
SPARTAC Gymnastics Club is the only club in the country to integrate Active Therapy techniques into its training. At the 2023 World Gymnaestrada in Amsterdam, SPARTAC partnered with Sherburn Community Gymnastics Club to show the world what true inclusion looks like in action.
The roots of disability inclusion in gymnastics run deep. Back in 1987, under the leadership of Dave Rozzell, then National Coach for Disabilities, British Gymnastics introduced athletes with disabilities to the World Gymnaestrada for the first time. At that time, they were not officially recognised — but the British team entered them simply as gymnasts.
That bold move changed history, inspiring the world governing body of gymnastics to open the event to all abilities. Since then, the team has continued to lead by example — proving that inclusion, teamwork, and determination truly have no limits.
Stillness is the basis of all movement. If a person cannot be still when they need to be then, kinaesthetically they have not got control of their body.
