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The gym where kids can be themselves 'with no judgement'

Georgia EadieCirencester
BBC A mother and daughter are smiling. The young girl on the left has ginger hair in pig tails and is wearing a black T-shirt. The mother on the right has long dark hair and is wearing a grey T-shirt. Behind them there is writing on the wall which includes the words kindness, respect and thankfulness.BBC
Anabella and her daughter Eadie have been going to BEAM! sessions for almost two years

Parents who take their children to an inclusive gymnastics group say the sessions allow participants to be themselves.

BEAM! was set up by two sisters a decade ago after they said they noticed a lack of sports clubs for children with emotional, physical, behavioural and sensory challenges in Gloucestershire.

Anabella's daughter Eadie has autism and ADHD and has been going to the sessions through Gymnastics in Cirencester for almost two years.

Eadie's mother said she knew her six-year-old was "able to be herself and there's no judgement" at the sessions. "There are only safety rules rather than behavioural rules, which works for Eadie," she added.

Adele Lawrence and Rachel Rogers set up the sessions after Lawrence could not find a club which worked for her foster daughter at the time.

Rogers coaches the sessions and said she was "led by the children and what they want to do".

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Most of the children have been coming for a number of years and Lawrence said it had been "amazing" to see their confidence grow.

"We had a little boy that would literally put his foot through the door and that would be it for the session. He is now coming in and doing everything," she added.

Lynn has brought six-year-old Felicity, who is non-verbal, to the sessions for two years.

Despite being hesitant at first, Lynn said her granddaughter had "gained so much confidence".

Two women are smiling. The woman on the left has long blonde hair and is sat down. The women on the right is standing up, she is wearing black-framed glasses and has fair hair. Both are wearing black T-shirts that have an orange logo on them. Behind them is lots of gymnastics apparatus.
Adele Lawrence and Rachel Rogers started the sessions 10 years ago

"As soon as we show her the BEAM! T-shirt she knows where she is going, the T-shirt and the leggings are on and we're out the door," Lynn said.

Nine-year-old Harrison attends the sessions with his mum Hannah, who said he looked forward to coming and was "always asking how long it is till the next gymnastics".

Lawrence and Rogers were among eight winners from 32 finalists in BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Make a Difference Awards last year.

A group of about 20 people holding their awards in a purple-themed conference room against a lightbox which says "Make A Difference".
Last year's winners at BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Make a Difference Awards

Lawrence said "just being nominated was amazing and then to actually win the category was unbelievable".

"It makes us feel proud of all our gymnasts and that we've been able to keep BEAM! going because there's such a need for it," she added.

Nominations for this year's BBC Make a Difference awards are open until 17.00 BST on Tuesday.

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