By Ryan — Therapeutic Play Leader, BounceOT / Self-Employed Partner with South Lanarkshire Leisure
Published: January 2026
When I first walked into TouchBase Lanarkshire in Hamilton back in January 2022, I felt the energy of a space built for belonging—hoists ready, sensory lighting soft, and the unmistakable buzz of families who had waited months (and, for some, years) to feel included again. That day kicked off a new phase in a journey that actually began years earlier: delivering 1:1 rebound therapy and inclusive play with PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society), in partnership with BounceOT, Sense Scotland, and later South Lanarkshire Leisure.
What Rebound Therapy Means to Us
For those new to it, rebound therapy uses a trampoline and controlled movement patterns to support people—particularly those with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD)—to experience graded vestibular input, improved muscle tone, body awareness, relaxation, and communication. In practice, it’s also a space where joy, trust, and participation flourish. Sessions are never “one-size-fits-all”; they’re built around the person, their family, and what matters to them.
Callum (Founder & Lead Occupational Therapist) has published an article about this within PMLD Link (December, 2022). You can read the article here under Our Projects!
Origins (2018–2021): TouchBase Lanarkshire, Sense Scotland, and PAMIS Coordination
Our earliest blocks of rebound therapy in South Lanarkshire started in 2018 at TouchBase Lanarkshire (Hamilton) with Sense Scotland—who are based locally—and PAMIS coordinating bookings and family engagement. These short blocks taught us how to reduce practical barriers, sequence graded movement safely and meaningfully, and centre family voice in every plan.
“This group have always been extremely isolated within their community, and now due to the impact of COVID‑19 they have become one of the most forgotten groups in society. These weekly 1:1 sessions will help to enable these individuals join their peers, build relationships and improve their health. It will help them to become visible again—all whilst having fun!”
Lesley (PAMIS, South Lanarkshire)
Scaling the Partnership (2022–2024): South Lanarkshire Leisure Steps In
In January 2022, PAMIS coordinated a new partnership with South Lanarkshire Leisure (SLL) to embed rebound therapy within community leisure. We began weekly 1:1 sessions in Hamilton, often at Fairhill Lifestyles, with specialist OT staff, Play Leaders, and bOunceT OT students supporting delivery. SLL showed real commitment by investing in their own hoist, making sessions safer and more accessible for everyone who needed them.
A major milestone came in June 2023, when Callum and I delivered rebound therapy training for SLL staff at Fairhill Lifestyles. That training focused on safety, person‑centred programming, communication, and graded sensory input, and it laid the groundwork for a sustainable, locally delivered service.
Education and Training as Legacy (2023–2025): Upskilling Local Teams
Alongside direct delivery, we’ve prioritised upskilling so the work continues even when BounceOT isn’t in the room, via certified rebound therapy training:
- June 2023 – SLL staff training (Fairhill Lifestyles): Building local competence and confidence to deliver consistent, safe sessions.
- December 2024 – Sense Scotland staff training (TouchBase Lanarkshire): We trained 10 staff at the Hamilton venue, upskilling their team so they can facilitate more rebound therapy sessions themselves for people supported through their day services.
- Focus areas included: clinical reasoning for PMLD, graded movement & pacing, manual handling integration with hoist use, sensory regulation strategies, observational recording, outcome tracking, and carer involvement.
This strand of work is deliberate: it extends capacity, protects continuity, and keeps the legacy alive without bOunceT needing to be directly involved in every session.
Sustaining the Service (2025–Present): SLL Runs It, I Support as Self‑Employed
In 2025, PAMIS funding ended, and South Lanarkshire Leisure took over running the programme directly so the service wouldn’t stop. I’m proud to continue self‑employed with SLL on Wednesdays and Fridays, supporting the staff we trained—coaching, quality assurance, and reflective practice—to make sure rebound therapy continues in South Lanarkshire and keeps improving.
Watch: Rebound Therapy at Fairhill Lifestyles (Short Film)
South Lanarkshire Leisure, in collaboration with South Lanarkshire Council, produced a short video about the benefits of rebound therapy—filmed at Fairhill Lifestyles in Hamilton and featuring me in session. It shows what participation means for participants and carers, and how to access sessions.
???? Rebound Therapy at Fairhill Lifestyles, South Lanarkshire — South Lanarkshire Council YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/2t9LjAgq82Y
How to access sessions (contact details):
- Phone: 01698 456350
- Email: fairhill@southlanarkshireleisure.co.uk
What I’ve Learned (and What I’ll Carry Forward)
- Relationships are the service. Trust with families and carers is built session by session—through consistent faces, clear communication, and small wins that matter to the person.
- Infrastructure matters. A hoist, appropriate space, and a bookings process that accounts for complex needs are not “nice‑to‑haves”—they’re prerequisites for inclusion.
- Training equals dignity. When local teams are skilled, people don’t have to wait for a specialist to travel; dignity is embedded in everyday community practice.
- Data + stories lead to change. Tracking attendance, outcomes, and carers’ narratives helps make the case for investment and continuity.
- Fun is therapeutic. Laughter, rhythm, music, co‑regulation—these are therapeutic tools and should be planned (not left to chance).
Timeline
- 2018–2021: Short blocks at TouchBase Lanarkshire (Hamilton) with Sense Scotland; PAMIS coordinates bookings.
- Jan 2022: PAMIS coordinates a new partnership; SLL begins hosting 1:1 rebound therapy in Hamilton (often at Fairhill Lifestyles).
- 2022–2023: SLL invests in a hoist; weekly delivery continues.
- June 2023: Rebound therapy training for SLL staff by Callum and me.
- Dec 2024: Sense Scotland—10 staff at TouchBase Lanarkshire trained to deliver more sessions through their day services.
- 2025: PAMIS funding stops; SLL takes over running the service directly.
- 2025–2026: I continue self‑employed with SLL on Wednesdays and Fridays, supporting trained staff to keep sessions going.
Gratitude
Huge thanks to PAMIS South Lanarkshire, especially Lesley, for convening, coordinating, and never letting this group be forgotten; to Sense Scotland for hosting early blocks at TouchBase Lanarkshire and investing in staff training; to South Lanarkshire Leisure for equipment, training, and leadership; and to Callum and the BounceOT team for their vision and persistence.
