A student from St Mungos Academy has teamed up with the world champion seated thrower to raise awareness of volunteering initiatives for young people with disabilities.

15-year-old Taylor McTaggart is hoping to shift the stigma associated with the capabilities of young people with additional needs in a bid to get them involved in volunteering.

Taylor, who underwent a double leg and arm amputation after contracting meningitis at five-months-old, is appealing to young people who may lack confidence to try something new.

She said: “Being a volunteer has completely changed me; it has built my confidence as a leader and given me a voice. I now lead a boccia club at my school, volunteer at sports event in the community and teach different inclusive sport activities including table hockey to the elderly. All this has been possible because I believe in myself.

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“I want young people with disabilities to realise they have choices. Sport can help you do that and has definitely helped me. Anyone who lives with a disability knows that it can be trying at times, but difficulties you face along the way, will only make you stronger.”

Jo Butterfield, a Paralympic athlete, was supporting Taylor in delivering a training event and judo session for young volunteers across Glasgow.

The former Army civil servant was left paralysed five years ago after falling ill with a tumour in her spine. She now works as an Athlete Mentor for the Youth Sport Trust.

“Lack of confidence, self esteem and self worth are all factors that contribute to young disabled people feeling that they can’t be part of anything”, she explained. “I’ve been through this myself and it’s simply not true.

“Volunteering can make you feel part of a community; you can learn and develop new skills, meet new people and make friends and raise awareness of issues that are important to you.

“That’s why I’m supporting Taylor to raise awareness of a really important issue.”

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The Inclusive Futures programme, run by the Youth Sport Trust, is funded by Spirit of 2012. It acts as a leadership and volunteering initiative for young people, with special emphasis on inclusion.

As part of the initiative, young people from nine major UK cities take part in placements within schools or community clubs and events, guided by a volunteer coordinator based in a local organisation.

Research by the national charity the Youth Sport Trust, found that 63 per cent of people with additional support needs feel that there are fewer opportunities for people with disabilities to volunteer in sport than non-disabled people.