See why Sam brings her children to Able2B.
Able2B prides itself in understanding that self-belief and building confidence are just as important as improving your physical function.
Providing an environment where each person can feel supported is an essential part of our services.
View Harper’s Journey with Able2B.
Harper has Cerebral Palsy and wasn’t able to walk. We helped build her strength and coordination and supported her through SDR surgery and beyond.
Harper now walks INDEPENDANTLY!!!
Making her visits to Able2B fun and part of the family routine allows for a sense of normality and also means we can adjust her sessions to grow with her as she gets older and her ability improves.
She LOVES coming to Able2B and sees Ella has her ‘twin princess’ and one of her friends.
Building relationships with clients and their families is a priority for the team at Able2B.
“If we hadn’t found Able2B she wouldn’t be doing what she’s doing now, she’s learned everything here”
Steve Sharrocks – Harper’s Dad
Able2B bases its methods on those similar to Sport’s Medicine.
Making a top athlete the best they can be involves working as a team, where everyone has a positive working relationship and knows each other well. Working regularly with experts to guide whilst the individuals and those around them deliver is key.
It is essential to focus on all the different elements including strength, control, proprioception, self-belief, nutrition and repetition. This is no different for anyone else, including individuals with a disability.
We all learn everyday tasks through repetition, common patterns and belief that we can achieve that task. At Able2B we use these principles in designing the sessions for our clients.
For those with a neurodisability, little and often is the key to success. We want quality not quantity and so our sessions are short, taking into account that bad patterns and injuries are built when tired and focus is lost. We provide affordable options to allow individuals the ability to access our specialist skills in a frequent affordable way that is not only cost-effective but extremely effective in improving outcomes.
At Able2B we recognise the importance of mindset.
With a chronic condition, it is very easy to focus on what can’t be done and what was lost rather than remembering what might be possible.
We 100% focus on the positives in EVERY individual to optimise what can be used to supplement the parts that are not working so well.
The results speak for themselves!
We can help individuals from 0-100+ years!!
We have clients with congenital diseases and those with acquired disability such as after a stroke or head injury, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis and many more.
We pride ourselves in working with clients with no voluntary movement and also with very severe behavioural and learning disabilities.
At Able2B we will NOT turn anyone away. We can’t always promise success and that we will get it right all the time, but we will drive forwards with passion, give it our best efforts and have some fun too!!!
Able2B’s methods are a great example of social prescribing benefitting the individual and society.
We can show how, in a very cost effective way, large numbers of individuals with chronic conditions can be supported to improve their outcomes over a long period of time.
Working alongside NHS and public sector organisations could lead to a much more effective and cheaper system of care.
Able2B is able to run one day or bespoke courses for personal trainers, businesses, gyms, therapists and teachers to teach the fundamentals behind their systems that allows them to work with a very diverse group of individuals whatever their ability.
Able2B can provide you with the tools to be successful in integrating individuals with a disability into your work teams.
Suzanne Leigh is a client at Able2B and her mum, Jo, was kind enough to talk to me about Suzanne’s experience at our gym. After surgery about a year ago Rachael Hutchinson, the co-founder of Able2B, came and recommended coming along to the gym in order to build her strength up. At first, it was clear that she didn’t really want to go as she would come in crying but in true Able2B fashion the team didn’t give up on her. Jon Thaxton, the other co-founder of Able2B, took Suzanne on a walk outside to let her relax and take a minute. A year later, Suzanne now looks forward to her gym sessions where she does all manner of workouts. It has been such a success for Suzanne that Jo’s husband Chris is now going.
Back in 2017, Sandra had a stroke which left her using a wheelchair and unable to move the left side of her body. With Rachael, the co-founder and the whole team at Able2B behind her, she has come on leaps and bounds and is now able to walk with just a stick and feels a lot more flexible. Sandra has been coming to Able2B since we opened in 2019 which makes this a great example of how with a bit of hard work and determination, a lot is possible. She particularly likes coming because of the positive atmosphere with which she is surrounded.
Nick has Cerebral Palsy amongst other things like arthritis but she feels that Able2B has been able to help her aches and pains immensely. She says that she would even say that the range of active help it gives her, is better than anything the NHS could give her. Nick expressed to me her belief that if Able2B was able to be a part of the NHS services, it would save them a lot of money in physiotherapy, medications and other services. A few years ago, Nick went to see Rachael in the clinic about a problem she’s been having with her ankle and she suggested coming to Able2B for some sessions. After those few sessions, she felt herself instantly improving and she says she hasn’t had to see a doctor nearly as often as before.
Marlika first came to Able2B in August 2020 after hearing about it from a craft group. She wanted to find a physio, but her friends suggested us. Marlika started 1:1 sessions with Rachel to find out what she could do and now she participates in group boxing cardio sessions.
Liam is a 24-year-old guy with Cerebral Palsy who loves coming to Able2B, especially for the adapted Swimspa and the sense of community. As a wheelchair user who struggles with communication, he often feels frustrated and overlooked. However, every member of the Able2B team gives Liam the time and space he needs to express himself which he is very grateful for. Aside from the swimming pool, he also does cycling and regularly makes friends at Bing whilst talking about his favourite book, Harry Potter.
Inclusivity is something we strive to improve in our Able2B community.
We recognise the limitations that are due to individual, carer and society’s perception of what might be possible.
We therefore support and run various schemes to improve knowledge of disability, change perceptions and show how true inclusivity can work.
View our Discover Your Ability Event below which is one of the initiatives we have developed to change perceptions.
Pairing up children and young adults with and without disability to demonstrate what can be achieved working together and understanding each other.
