IS-vid project
Thank you for joining the ISvid ice skating sessions. Your place on the programme has been secured for all twenty sessions.
The information on this page details:
IS-vid Background Information
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What is IS-vid?
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IS-vid is a programme of twenty weeks of ice skating sessions exclusively for individuals who experience visual impairment or deaf blindness and are aged 5+ years, and their nominated companion (if required). The programme is free to join.
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More information can be found at the IS-vid webpage via the link: https://www.ichopeevents.co.uk/is-vid-accessible
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Who runs IS-vid?
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IS-vid is run by iChope Events CIC. CIC stands for Community Interest Company which means that the organisation has been formed for the benefit of its identified community rather than for shareholders. iChope Events CIC's identified community are the people of Wales including individuals, businesses, charities, researchers, and students.
Every CIC is regulated by the Community Interest Company Regulator who ensures that CICs operate within the rules of running a Community Interest Company. CICs must distribute at least 50% of their profits to their identified community each year.
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iChope Events CIC are supported by a Project Advisory Group (PAG) for IS-vid who are represent the IS-vid target community. Representatives include:
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RNIB Cymru
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SENSE
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Disability Sport Wales
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Lived experience members who experience VI
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Figure Skating Coaches
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An Independent Researcher (evaluation)
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Vindico Arena
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Who funds the IS-vid project?
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IS-vid is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. IS-vid will deliver twenty on-ice sessions therefore the IS-vid Project Advisory Group are working on a follow-on project also known as a legacy project, which will aim to design a further programme. There may be a break in session delivery whilst the legacy project is designed and funding is sought.
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Practical Information
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Where will the skating sessions be held?
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Sessions will be held at the Vindico Arena, Cardiff Bay.
Post code: CF11 0JS
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There is a tarmac car park with a gravel over flow car park at the back next to the arena. The Vindico Arena is on the right as you approach from the car parks.
The Cardiff Number 9 Bus stops directly outside of the Vindico Arena. The Vindico Arena is on your left.
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The nearest train station is Cogan, postcode: CF64 1SX
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Link to the Vindico Arena: https://vindicoarena.com/
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When are the skating sessions?
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Skating sessions will be held between 1:30-2:30pm every Thursday (where possible) from 25th April 2024 for twenty weeks, finishing on 3rd October 2024. iChope Events CIC does not have any control over the Vindico Arena schedule, and as such will endeavour to notify all IS-vid skaters as soon as possible if there are any changes to the scheduled sessions.
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The confirmed sessions as of 13th April 2024 are:
Session one will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on the 25th April 2024
Session two will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on the 2nd May 2024
Session three will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on the 9th May 2024
Session four will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 16th May 2024
Session five will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 23rd May 2024
Session six will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 30th May 2024
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There will be no sessions held on 6th, 13th nor 20th of June 2024 due to renewal of sponsor logos and ice melt.
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Session seven will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 27th June 2024
Session eight will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 4th July 2024
Session nine will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 11th July 2024
Session ten will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 18th July 2024
Session eleven will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 25th July 2024
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Session twelve will be held at the earlier time of 1:15-2:15pm on the 1st August 2024
Session thirteen will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 8th August 2024
Session fourteen will be held at the later time of 2-3pm on 22nd August 2024
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Session fifteen will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 5th September 2024
Session sixteen will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 12th September 2024
Session seventeen will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 19th September 2024
Session eighteen will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 26th September 2024
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Session nineteen will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 3rd October 2024
Session twenty will be held at 1:30-2:30pm on 10th October 2024
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Please check your preferred method of contact, email and this webpage for the latest information.
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When should I arrive?
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You are permitted to enjoy the ice between 1:30-2:30pm so to maximise your time on the ice you may wish to arrive earlier than scheduled. Please allow time to familiarise yourself with the Vindico Arena, collect and change into your skates and ensure that your belongings are stored in the lockers prior to taking to the ice.
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Will there be anyone to help me at the session?
Yes! Members of the IS-vid team, including volunteers, and staff of the Vindico Arena will be available to assist you during your visit.
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What should I wear?
You should wear warm clothing that can be layered. We recommend you wear:
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T-shirts and/or long sleeved t-shirts that can be layered
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Gloves not mittens
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Warm hat
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Jacket or hoodie
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Coat no longer than the knee
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Loose trousers that do not flare or gap at the bottom such as sports leggings or jogging bottoms
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Warm comfortable socks that are not too thick
What shouldn’t I wear?
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We wouldn’t recommend you wear:
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Jeans
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Flared trousers or bottoms that gape at the bottom of the legs
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Vest tops without another layer or jacket
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Skirts/dresses without tights or leggings
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Thick socks that may hinder the skate support
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Ankle length coat
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What should I bring?
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Definitely bring yourself and any aids you wish to use. There are various size lockers for public use at the Vindico Arena. We would advise you bring the bare minimum you need to enjoy the session.
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Is there anything I shouldn’t bring?
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We would advise against bringing valuables and anything you do not need for the session. The Vindico Arena operates a CCTV system for security and has lockers but cannot guarantee the safety or security of your personal belongings.
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Is my Assistance Dog welcome?
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Yes! We understand that your Assistance Dog is highly trained to behave well in public, has a safe and reliable temperament, is not considered a health risk even in food outlets and is fully toilet-trained.
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We would request your assistance dog stays on-harness throughout the skating sessions and be wearing their recognisable harness where possible. We would also ask you to bring a copy of your Assistance Dog’s ID where possible. Assistance Dogs will not be allowed onto the ice pad at any time.
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Who will lead the skating sessions?
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Skating sessions are led by freelance figure skating coaches who are all registered with the sports’ governing body, British Ice Skating (BIS). All coaches hold an enhanced DBS (criminal records) check, public liability insurance and are trained in safeguarding.
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The coaches will ensure sessions are safe, will instruct you on how to fall, protect yourself if you have fallen and how to safely return to standing. The coaches will also be able to instruct you in how to perform skating moves if you wish to learn.
The IS-vid coaching team are:
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Lucy Strange who is the Lead Coach for the IS-vid project
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Sarah MacGibbon
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Cailin Evans (who will join the sessions mid May 2024)
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What should I do if I cannot attend a session?
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You can let us know you will not be attending a session by emailing: info@ichopeevents.co.uk or by telephone or WhatsApp message on 07983 922565.
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What if I change my mind and do not wish to attend IS-vid skating sessions?
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You are free to change your mind at any time and do not have to attend the IS-vid skating sessions. If you wish to give your place to another skater on the waiting list, please contact us via email: info@ichopeevents.co.uk
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Your feedback is important to us so we can improve the programme and we would like to learn why you do not wish to continue the sessions. However, you do not have to give any reasons if you don’t want too.
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Your Safety
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Data Protection
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Your data is important to us and we will do everything we can to protect it.
The IS-vid project will collect data from your initial enquiry via email through to the evaluation of the project. iChope Events CIC will be the data controller and processor of your data.
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Personal data you provide to us will be destroyed upon the final report being made available, this is anticipated to be during November 2024. Evaluation data will be available through the resulting publications post project.
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Data for the delivery of IS-vid on-ice sessions
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To deliver IS-vid, iChope Events CIC require the capture, storage and processing of data including:
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Full names of skaters
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Date of Birth of skaters
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Email address and where applicable the telephone number of skaters
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Emergency contact name and telephone number – this will be held by the Lead Coach and IS-vid Project Manager only
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Details of any impairments or specific needs of skaters
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Details of how skaters would like to receive communication
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Skater shoe size
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Whether an Assistance dog will be brought to sessions
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If you contact us via WhatsApp then we will also store your mobile telephone number
This data is essential to allowing iChope Events CIC to contact skaters with notification of any changes to the session schedule. This data is also essential to coaches who will supervise and deliver the sessions. By providing this data you consent to us using it for these purposes.
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Your data will be kept securely on SanDisk Secure Vault Version 3.0 which is an encrypted system that is also password protected. The IS-vid Project Manager and the Lead Coach will have access to this data.
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The data listed previously will be available to the Lead Coach (or in an emergency to another member of the IS-vid team) at each session as a hard copy which will be securely stored at the Vindico Arena in the Lead Coach’s lockable cupboard.
WhatsApp in the UK is operated by WhatsApp LLC, their privacy policy can be found at the link: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/privacy-policy-uk?lang=th#:~:text=If%20you%20live%20in%20the,strong%20privacy%20principles%20in%20mind.
If you contact us via another social media platform please find the relevant privacy policies at:
Facebook and Instagram (Meta) Privacy Policy: https://en-gb.facebook.com/privacy/policy/
X Privacy Policy: https://twitter.com/en/privacy#:~:text=We%20use%20your%20contact%20information,X%20more%20relevant%20to%20you.
LinkedIn Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy
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Vindico Arena Data Capture
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To ensure the safety of its patrons, the Vindico Arena operates a 24 hour 7 day a week Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system throughout its premises.
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If you have any questions or concerns about the data captured on this system please contact the Data Protection Office for the IS-vid project at the Vindico Arena who is John Donovan
Tel: 07929984246
Email: jd@vindicoarena.com
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iChope Events CIC have no input, nor access nor control of the CCTV system operating at the Vindico Arena.
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Physical Safety
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We want you to enjoy the IS-vid sessions and have made them as safe as we possibly can.
To ensure your safety we have:
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Made environment changes for each skating session that will assist you navigate the arena
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Provided experienced and qualified figure skating coaches who will instruct you on how to stay as safe as possible on the ice
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Advised you on the most appropriate clothing to wear to the on-ice sessions
However, ice skating is a dangerous activity with falls, slips and trips highly likely, with injuries sustained by elite skaters due to such incidents.
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Emergency Contact
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In the unlikely event that you are seriously harmed or injured the emergency services will be called. iChope Events CIC will ask all skaters for an emergency contact name and telephone number which will be held by the Lead Coach for this purpose.
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What do I do if I am harmed or hurt during the sessions?
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Your safety is of paramount importance to us. That is why we have made physical adjustments to the environment and ensured that the sessions are exclusive to members of the visually impaired and deaf blind community.
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We are providing experienced and professional coaches who are all registered with the sports governing body and who all hold public liability insurance as part of their membership. The coaches will provide safety advice to ensure you are protected as far as is reasonably possible from harm. The IS-vid coaching team also hold full first aid qualifications and are trained in how to deal with accidents and injuries. Medical assistance will be called if required. All Vindico Arena staff are experienced in handling accidents and hold first aid qualifications.
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The Vindico Arena ensure the ice is safe for use and hold public liability insurance. However, ice skating is a very dangerous activity as the ice is very slippery and the ice skates have sharp blades on the bottoms which could cause significant harm or injury. Elite skaters also experience regular slips, trips and falls which sometimes result in serious injury.
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Individual skaters who attend the ISvid sessions are choosing to participate in the sessions at their own risk.
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding is integral to iChope Events CIC.
We take safeguarding seriously. All IS-vid volunteers and coaches have received safeguarding training. If you raise a concern it will be taken seriously.
If you have any concerns, please contact the iChope Events CIC Board Safety Lead, email: alison@ichopeevents.co.uk or call on 07983 922565 and ask to speak to Alison Evans.
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If there is immediate danger please can 999 and ask for the Police.
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If you are concerned that a child may be experiencing or is likely to experience abuse or neglect, and they are not in immediate danger, contact NSPCC on 0800 800 5000 and share your concern.
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If you are concerned that a person, whether a child or adult, may be experiencing or is likely to experience abuse or neglect, and they are not in immediate danger, you can contact your Local Authority Social Care team whose details will be on the website of your Local Authority.
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A copy of the IS-vid Safeguarding Policy V1.0 will be uploaded in this section of this webpage shortly.
Project Evaluation
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IS-vid skaters will be asked to provide feedback on the project in general
and on the aims of the project at the first session, the tenth session and
the twentieth session. Skaters will also be invited to participate in focus groups to help us evaluate project delivery.
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We will ask for skaters consent for:
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evaluation input at week 1, week 10 and week 20
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evaluation input at the end of project focus groups
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photography for promotional purposes and final reports
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filming for promotional purposes and final reports
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image use for promotional purposes and final reports
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quotes provided about the project for promotional purposes and final reports
Skaters can refuse consent and their image and their words will not be used in any materials.
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IS-vid is a feasibility project that explores whether dedicated on-ice sessions for individuals who experience visual impairment or deaf blindness are wanted by this community and whether the sessions are beneficial to this community and whether the sessions are deliverable. IS-vid aims to:
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Reduce social isolation
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Improve physical and emotional wellbeing
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Improve self-confidence, self-worth and self-belief, and
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Reduce barriers to participation
To effectively evaluate the project, the delivery team wish to capture the following data:
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Demographic information - for example gender, date of birth, first part of your post code
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Your views about the IS-vid sessions and their delivery
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Your views about the IS-vid delivery team
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Your views about taking to the ice - at week one, week ten and week twenty of the project
The information will be collected using two methods. Firstly, a simple short survey before the first session, then half-way through (week 10) and at the end (week 20). You can either take part in a secure online survey or we can ask you questions via email or WhatsApp. If you prefer a large print paper copy of the survey can be provided or we can ask you the questions in-person at the relevant session. You do not have to participate in the evaluation if you do not want to.
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Secondly, you will be invited to a discussion group (also known as a focus group), where you will meet with others taking part in the sessions and a facilitator to share your experiences. These will be audio recorded to help note-taking and the information collected during the session will be summarised so we can understand what went well and what needs to be improved. You do not have to participate in the focus group if you do not want to.
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We will ask for your consent to use quotes from any feedback you give us which could be at a session, via social media or email or through the surveys or focus group. Your quotes can be anonymous if you prefer.
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It is important that we evaluate the programme so we can demonstrate any positive benefits to help with further funding, and so we can make recommendations for improvement.
DISCLAMERS
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IS-vid sessions may be rescheduled or cancelled with short notice to skaters. You will be informed in advance of any changes to the IS-vid session schedule.
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You enter the Vindico Arena and participate in on-ice activities as part of the IS-vid project at your own risk. Whilst the Vindico Arena staff and IS-vid session coaches are fully trained in first aid, will undertake on-ice session risk assessment and delivery, and ensure correct ice maintenance, they cannot be held responsible for any accident or injury sustained by skaters whilst using the Vindico Arena.
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All skaters must abide by the safety advice provided by the IS-vid session coaches, iChope Events CIC and/or the Vindico Arena staff.
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All children under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by an adult.
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Storage and security including theft or damage of your personal belongings are not the responsibility of iChope Events CIC nor the Vindico Arena. Your belongings are left unattended at the Vindico Arena at your own risk.
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If a coach or member of Vindico Arena staff request you vacate the ice you must action their request. This may not be due to any wrong-doing on your part but may be due to an accident or safety incident elsewhere on the ice or within the Arena.
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No devices such as mobile phones nor food and drink should be brought onto the ice pad.
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Ear buds, headphones nor ear pods should be used whilst on the ice pad.
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The ice pad is incredibly slippery and ice skate blades are extremely sharp which means either could cause serious injuries to skaters.
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Vindico Arena staff and IS-vid session coaches will provide safety advice, anyone not adhering to this advice will be asked to leave the ice for the safety of themselves and others.