10 year old Jonathan Ferris from Ipswich is proof that support from Out & About really does work. In April 2009 Jonathan, who has ADHD and autism, started Karate lessons at Gainsborough Sports Centre. Gavin Williams, the Karate tutor, had not taught a disabled child before so this was a new challenge for them both.
Jonathan was paired with a volunteer called Sarah, who went along with him each week to help him to stay focussed on the lessons. Jonathan was keen to learn but was rather impatient and found it difficult to concentrate. Sarah helped him to overcome this by keeping him calm and explaining why he needed to be patient. 
Jonathan’s mum bought him his first Karate suit, called a Gi, and it was not long before Jonathan was working his way through the different colours of belt. He is currently on his orange with a green stripe which is his 8th Kyu. By August the same year, Jonathan was fully included in the activity and Gavin was more than happy to work with him without the need for a volunteer to support them. Gavin said ‘Jonathan works well and participates with the group. He follows the instructions he has been given.’
Jonathan was extremely proud recently to receive a trophy for the Karate Student of the Year for 2010. Jonathan’s mum Phyllis told us ‘This is the first activity that Jonathan has really stuck with. He is always happy to go and is disappointed when it is the holiday period and there are no classes for a while. He would never have progressed so well if it wasn't for Out & About and I'm really proud of him.'
