Ellie Andrew has positively transformed both her mental and physical health by attending wheelchair basketball sessions.

Ellie has struggled with her mental health for most of her teens and been in and out of hospital with depression, anxiety and an eating disorder. Six year's ago, after her mental health deteriorated, she tried to end her life which resulted in a spinal cord injury and partial paralysis. Ellie initially tried wheelchair basketball session in the spinal unit, and it planted a seed.

Fast forward 5 years and Ellie searched again for a wheelchair basketball club and attended her first NK Jaguars session at One NK, North Hykeham.

Initially attending the club with a member of staff from the mental health unit, where she is an inpatient, she has progressed to going to basketball 2 to 3 times a week unattended. Ellie now makes baskets, has increased her speed considerably and is looking forward to playing fixtures both in the women’s league and mix competition this coming season.

Attending wheelchair basketball is now her ‘happy place’. Taking part in wheelchair basketball has helped build her confidence, provided her with more independence and given her motivation to recover.

"I have made friends at the club and it feels like a family. I have met people with similar injures and physical difficulties. I don’t feel different there - I feel like one of the team. It’s helped me build up my confidence and it has given me more motivation to recover."

The remarkable transformation that Ellie has made in her life through participating in basketball, was recognised when she was crowned Active Change Award Winner, at the Lincolnshire Sport & Physical Activity Awards.