Kelham Island Table Tennis Club is blazing a trail for inclusivity as it builds bridges across the community in Sheffield.

The club, which was only founded last year, provides opportunities to play for the refugee community, children and young people with additional needs, and LGBTQ+ groups, among others.

Founders Simon Athey and Liam Bardell launched the club in January 2023 from a room at the café owned by Liam at Kelham Island Museum, having previously hosted games and competitions with their friends in the space.

They reached out to some of the most marginalised and vulnerable groups within their community and now have a thriving and diverse club. They were inspired after watching a TED talk by Tim Holtam from Brighton TTC, who have done similar work in their community.

Among the groups participating in sessions at Kelham Island are:

• Children with Special Educational Needs, including Down Syndrome
• Children with Cerebal Palsy and other neurological disorders
• Refugees and asylum-seekers
• Youth projects, including LGBTQ+

The club also runs a Bat & Chat session and has hosted a successful TT Kidz programme. Simon and Liam have both become Level 1 coaches.

Simon said: “When we set the club up, one of the first things we both agreed on is this club is for everybody. That rectangular table brings everybody together. With a little bit of patience and a little bit of love here and there, we can just make everybody benefit from the beauty of table tennis, and we’re finding that out every week – it’s great.

“As far as clubs are concerned, if they see what we’ve done, I’m hoping that some club somewhere is going to say ‘we need to do that’. And if you do, I can promise you that you will enjoy every second of it.

“It’s a real privilege to do this. It’s not a chore, it’s a privilege.”

The video below illustrates the huge positive impact of these activities across the community.

The organisations working with the club have nothing but praise.

Winnie Lutakome of New Beginnings Project Voluntary Action Sheffield said the impact of the sessions had been “massively positive” for the group’s clients, who are refugees and asylum-seekers.

She added: “It enables them to get out of their houses and it enables them to develop new friendships and build on their confidence, as well as their mental and physical wellbeing.

“Most asylum-seekers would not be allowed to work, so they would probably not have anything to do around them. So, for them to get involved in sports like table tennis is massively important for them.”

Sarah Hooker, of Sheffield Down Syndrome Support Group, said: “There’s just really limited opportunities for people with Down Syndrome to get involved in sporting activities. We just felt there was a real opportunity to get together (with the club) and offer something.

It’s really fun, it’s a really welcome space for people, its really accessible and inclusive.

Jenny Featherstone, of Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The benefits of playing table tennis go beyond health and fitness. Not only is the club a place to develop skills, coordination, strength and fitness, but it’s also a place to make friends, feel included, build confidence and make links with the local community.

“It’s a step on from therapy, it’s a chance to excel in sport, it’s brilliant!”

Table Tennis England Area Manager Lauren Evans said: “Kelham Island Table Tennis Club is dedicated to enhancing the lives of its members by fostering a vibrant community where people of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels can come together to enjoy the sport.

“Through regular practice and supportive coaching, the club not only helps to promote healthy active lifestyles but also promotes mental wellbeing, social connections, and a sense of belonging.

“Whether you’re there to hone your skills or simply to make new friends, Kelham Island Table Tennis Club is committed to making a positive impact on your overall quality of life.”