The Team
Graeme Hill, Chairperson
Graeme has now been working in the disability field for over 8
years.
He currently works for Rochdale Gateway Leisure Ltd as a development
worker prior to which he worked at centres that specialised in
delivery of outdoor activities to people with disabilities in
both New Zealand and Keswick Cumbria. His own main interests are
climbing and kayaking. He also used to do a lot of Fell running
which currently he is trying to get back into. He is very passionate
about people with disabilities having equal choice and opportunity
in participating in sports and physical activities.
Julie Durrant, Secretary
Julie has worked with Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council for the last 18 years in her capacity as a Sport Development Officer. She now manages the Active Communities Team within the Sports Development Service. She has a wealth of experience developing sport across the Borough and her current role is to increase and sustain lifelong participation in sport and recreation at a local level amongst priority groups including ethnic communities, women and girls, people on low income and people with disabilities. Julie believes very little has been done in the Borough over the last few years to develop sport for people with disabilities and is now keen to ensure that this under representation is addressed. She has worked with the Forum since is onset and is looking forward to helping the group grow in strength and stature. On a personal note Julie is keen to 'have-a-go' at all sports but her main interests are playing rounders for her team The Talbot Head, running and golf (when she gets the time).
Anna Brookes, Treasurer
I live in the Heywood area. I am a parent of a teenager with disabilities. I became involved in the forum whilst looking for leisure activities for my son. I feel it's important to point out the forums activities are based on individuals enjoying themselves and socialising rather than on 'level of performance'. It simply doesn't matter whether you're good or not, just come and enjoy yourself would be my message. In my personal time I enjoy walking our Labrador and doing crosswords.
Dewan Choudhury, Deaf/Hearing Impairments Officer
An FA Level 2 qualified football coach; I have been coaching for over 4 years now to participants of all ages and abilities, in Rochdale. I got involved with deaf football when a group of deaf players approached me for assistance in setting up a deaf team, I currently coach and manage 'Rochdale Rhinos Deaf Football Club', which gives people who are deaf or have hearing impairments the opportunity to get involved in football. In terms of communicating with the players, initially I found it difficult, but the players are fantastic lip readers, which makes it easier. In September I will start a British Sign Language course at Hopwood Hall College, funded by RBDSLF, which will improve my ability to communicate with deaf people and further enhance my ability to coach deaf people.
Dave Potter, Visual Impairment Adviser
Dave has worked for RANS (Rochdale Additional Needs Service) since 1996 as the teacher of mobility education for the Team for Children with a Visual Impairment. Part of this role is to try and promote social inclusion and to encourage this he has founded and continues to run two clubs for visually impaired people and their friends and families - Rochdale Goalball Club and Rochdale Vipers Ten-pin Bowling Club, further details for which can be found in the Activities section of this website. His role within the RBDSLF is as the Advisor for Visual Impairment.