PEOPLE with learning disabilities in Durham are being given the chance of specialist football coaching sessions, thanks to a joint project involving local police and Sunderland AFC.

The hour-long sessions take place at the Soccarena complex at the city’s Belmont Industrial Estate and are run by coaches from Sunderland’s Foundation of Light charity.

The budding footballers are all users of Ethicare, which provides support and development for adults with learning disabilities.

Ethicare have Day Support HUB's in Gilesgate, Finchale College and Seaham and are busy developing a sensory garden and allotment attached to Sherburn police station in Durham.

The company came up with the idea following a ‘Cuppa with a Copper’ meeting with PCSO Sharon Bowman.

It was then developed by PCSO Robin Raymond, an FA-qualified level seven referee who put to good use his contacts with Sunderland AFC.

The football project is one of a number involving Ethicare and police, including a sports open day and the redevelopment of allotments for Ethicare’s users.

Ethicare offers a range of recreational, leisure and informal education opportunities tailored to meet individual needs along with support to community-based activities and leisure facilities.

Ethicare manager Barbara Reynolds said: “It is so good to work with the police and to be part of a community and to think there are people that go to the extremes to help, which Robin has done.

“He just does things and believes what he does. He is very much community-spirited.”