Blog
Skating Success!!
Mon, 16th Feb 2026
Thanks to The Health and Social Care Alliance Self Management Fund, our Dumfries site embarked on a six-week block of ice-skating sessions at Dumfries Ice Bowl on 7th January this year. The first session was an introduction to the ice for all of our young people, some of whom had never been skating before. The young people had an opportunity to go on the ice if they wanted to, with support from staff or using skating aids if needed. We went at their own pace and slowly built their confidence. At the end of the session, some of the young people told us how much they enjoyed it and that they we looking forward to the next session and managing to do a bit more.
As the weeks progressed our young people grew in confidence. Two of the skating sessions were delivered by Joe Coulter who is an ice hockey player for our local team in Dumfries – The Solway Sharks. During these sessions, the young people learnt techniques that could help them position their bodies to balance while skating. Joe and the Better Lives Partnership staff supported the young people to try some of these techniques. They proved to be competent and confident learners. We also got the opportunity to try using some hockey sticks and pucks which was so much fun!
Near the end of the sessions, some of the young people felt more confident to try wearing ice skates for the very first time, others felt more confident to skate independently without the use of an aid. At the end of this sessions the young people chatted enthusiastically with Joe about how they had enjoyed themselves and their plans for the next sessions. To further support these sessions, we were invited to attend a Solway Sharks hockey match, so we could see Joe and the team in action.
On Sunday 8th February we attended the ice hockey game between the Solway Sharks and the Bristol Pitbulls. The young people and staff got to experience an ice hockey match, many of them for the very first time. They gained confidence being in a busy environment and demonstrated their social and communication skills, especially when ordering their own food and drinks from the stalls. Some young people learned some facts about hockey which they previously didn’t know. After the game, the young people said described the experience as riveting, amazing and unlike anything they’d seen before! We are looking forward to attending another hockey game in the future, as it was a big hit.
Overall, our skating experience has been a positive one for the young people with lots of new skills learned. One of the young people has looked into private skating lessons, as they have really enjoyed the sessions. And we have a few new Solway Sharks fans!
