On 12 April and 17 May 2025, student volunteers from School of Sports and Health (SSH) and Adventure Learning Club (ALC) hosted individuals with special needs from Runninghour and their caregivers at Republic Polytechnic’s Xperiential Learning Centre for 2 hours of uplifting and fun experience. Runninghour is an inclusive sports co-operative that promotes the integration of persons with special needs through sports.
The volunteers attended a half-day training to learn belay techniques, which is an essential skill to build trust and keep the climbers safe. The volunteer training also included completing an eLearning course to refresh their knowledge of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) profiles and strategies for engaging individuals with ASD in specific contexts like rock climbing. The course included modules S273 (Climb & Abseil) and S202 (Inclusive Physical Activity). Additionally, alumni were invited to share their learning experiences with the volunteers.
On both days, the participants were accompanied by the RP student befrienders who stayed with them through the programme, engaging them from icebreakers to warm-up exercises and belaying them for the height activities under the watchful eyes of RP staff. A total of 20 to 25 students were involved in each run, and about 25 to 30 Runninghour participants were involved in this meaningful project.
One of the parents shared, "This was our first time joining, and we are so glad we came. Really happy to see Austen willing to try rock climbing, even though he was afraid of the height. He also managed to finish the obstacle course with the help of the volunteers".
Student volunteer Athilah from the Diploma in Outdoor & Adventure Learning shared, "Taking part in Runninghour was an incredibly meaningful experience. Volunteering with the buddies, who are persons with special needs, gave me deeper insight into their unique strengths and challenges. It reminded me how important patience, empathy, and clear communication are when engaging persons with special needs. More than just a climbing activity, this was about building trust, ensuring safety, and creating a space where every participant felt supported and encouraged. What stood out to me most was the joy and determination on the faces of the participants and their family caregivers as they overcame the challenges. It was heartening to witness how inclusive sports can empower individuals and foster strong bonds within the community. This experience has not only deepened my understanding of inclusive physical activities but also reaffirmed the importance of making every individual feel seen and valued".