PUPILS from two schools in Bromsgrove and one in Northfield are part of a campaign to fight intolerance towards young people with intellectual disabilities.
Chadsgrove School, South Bromsgrove High and the Victoria School and Specialist Arts College have all signed up to Play Unified which is being delivered by a partnership deaturing Special Olympics GB and the Youth Sport Trust.
Shocking statistics show eight in ten young people with intellectual disabilities suffer bullying.
The drive aims to improve opportunities for young people with intellectual disabilities to participate in sporting activity and create inclusive environments.
A recent study showed Play Unified helped 92 per cent of young ambassadors to learn new skills, 72 per cent to make new friends and increase sports participation and 90 per cent said they had become more confident.
A huge 95 per cent of young people surveyed also said that, following their participation in Play Unified, they felt they could take part in all school activities and 97 per cent reported that they felt happy in their school.
Ali Oliver, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “We passionately believe in the power of sport to change young lives for the better.”
Visit www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk/play-unified for more on the scheme.