Phab in Durham

At this time, there are four Phab clubs in County Durham spread over the county, whose activities and age groups vary from club to club. Each club runs independently but they come together sometimes to enjoy social occasions and join in training and events organised by the regional body, Phab North. The Phab club is an adult club with the minimum age being 18 though we can offer one or two 16 year old places at any one time. Phab clubs work on the social model of disability which looks at the person and not the disability. The purpose of the club was initially to integrate physically disabled people into the wider community. Nowadays, by the time people with disabilities reach adulthood, a majority of them have already been integrated into society. Our role as a club still has the original aim but the purpose of the club has shifted slightly to providing a social outlet in a safe environment where able bodied people and people with all manner of disabilities can join a group and enjoy many different activities. For some families who care for a disabled relative at home, we can offer them a couple of hours of respite though this is not our prime aim. Everybody comes voluntarily and we are not trained carers. It is a social club for people with disabilities.