New Cardiff based business set to get people moving

A new franchise business has been launched in the Cardiff area. Rise offers a range of activities for the health and social care sectors based on adapted games, sports and dance for people of all ages. These activities are tailored to a participant’s physical ability or cognitive capacity to bring health and wellbeing benefits.

Matt Davis, 33, from Cardiff is heading up the new venture along with support from his colleague and Rise Co-Founder Rob Oyston both of whom have delivered community sport programmes in and around the Cardiff and Bristol areas for many years. The pair have already received funding from Sport Cardiff and Sport Vale to run community programmes specifically to support people over the age of 60.

Since its launch Rise has delivered programmes to residents and carers of Ty Newydd Housing Association, Ty Coch , Ty Melin, Ty Llandaff, Nazareth House, Hallmark Care Homes and many more in the Cardiff area. In addition to this Rise has delivered to Ty Hafan children’s hospice in Penarth. Activities are adapted to suit the needs of all – even those who are bed-bound – and the programme is seen as a stand-out point of difference by the care regulators due to improved outcomes.

Rise is a business that ‘gives back’ with services being offered to help people to keep mobile, engage in social activities and enjoy a sense of achievement – bringing benefits to both participants, their carers and families too.

Commenting, Matt said, “There is enormous potential for Rise to give back to the community here in and around Cardiff and I’ve already seen first-hand the impact that sports-based activities can have on people of all abilities.”

Speaking about recent projects, Matt said, “We ran a session at a children’s hospice recently where the children were supported to kick balloons, emulating a game of football. Carers were able to join in, providing wellbeing benefits to both the carers and children in what can be a very emotional environment.”

In the future, siblings and parents will be able to join in, bringing the family together with a shared, multi-generational experience. Especially after the pandemic, the Rise sessions are reducing the impact of isolation and loneliness felt by many members of the community and allowing them to socialise again in a fun, positive and inclusive way.

Jo Davies from Independent Living Services Cardiff Council commented: “Rise sessions are fantastic and so much fun. They enable people to take part in team sport and exercise, no matter what age you are and what mobility range you have.”

Matt adds: “To see a group of care home residents come out of their shells and take part in a tennis ‘match’ is just brilliant. I love the variety of my job and the joy that the sessions bring to people.”