Activity Alliance launches new Inclusive Activity Programme

Activity Alliance is delighted to announce the launch of the brand new Inclusive Activity Programme (IAP). The announcement comes during Coaching Week (4-10 June) after a successful application to Sport England which will see £450,000 of National Lottery funding dedicated to the programme. Over three years, the programme will engage key groups in specialised training with the aim to increase the number of active disabled people across England.

Activity Alliance, UK Coaching and Sport England have come together to build on the success of the programme’s predecessor, the Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training.

The programme will equip people with the skills to engage disabled people and people with long-term health conditions more effectively in activities. It will provide a unique opportunity to improve significantly the confidence and competence of the coaching family, local community activators and health care professionals to deliver inclusive activity.

Statistics show that disabled people are twice as likely to be inactive as non-disabled people. However, there is significant unmet demand with research showing that seven in ten disabled people want to be more active.

Over three years, IAP will deliver over 600 practical tailored face-to-face workshops and provide access to ongoing learning and development opportunities for 8,500 individuals. This support package will enable participants to develop their coaching skills and confidence continually. Ultimately, trainees will be empowered to tailor their own delivery to a variety of different audiences.

Barry Horne, Chief Executive for Activity Alliance, said:

We are very excited about this new enhanced programme and the impact it will have across the country. This funding from Sport England’s National Lottery will enable us to build on our learning from previous work. We know there are groups of people who have greater influence on how active we are or want to be. IAP will target these individuals to make a real difference to the lives of people who are not currently active. The aim is to ensure that disabled people have more opportunities to be active for life.”

Sport England’s Executive Director Mike Diaper, said:

Our research shows that disabled people are twice as likely to be inactive which means they’re missing out on a wealth of physical and mental health benefits. Many disabled people want to be active but can be put off by things such as a lack of opportunities and the right support. Sport England are delighted to be providing National Lottery funding for the Inclusive Activity Programme, which will train coaches, local community activators and health care professionals so they can offer disabled people strong support and help build their confidence about getting active.”

Mark Gannon, Chief Executive Officer of UK Coaching, said:

One of the greatest skills any coach can have is that of adaptability. The ability of a coach to make changes, in situ, to ensure more people are able to take part in a sport or physical activity is key if we want an active nation. UK Coaching is delighted to be working in partnership with Activity Alliance to support coaches to deliver great experiences for all.”

In line with the Coaching Plan for England’s definition of coaching, IAP partners recognise that there are a range of individuals who can play a key part in supporting sport and active recreation.

The programme targets three different sectors. These enable us to reach an extensive number of disabled people and people with long-term health conditions:

Coaches / traditional physical activity deliverer family (including; qualified sports coaches, activators, sport leaders, outdoor recreation deliverers, personal trainers / fitness instructors)

Local community activators (working for example in disabled people’s organisations, community interest charities, housing sector and scout/guide groups )

Health and care professionals (including; occupational therapists, physiotherapists, care workers and support workers)

The training will cost a maximum of £20 for participants to attend (subsidies may apply) and will enable them to:

• Learn about practical tools to support inclusive delivery
• Explore creative ideas to support disabled people to take part in sport and activity
• Access a range of resources to support delivery of activity sessions beyond the workshop. Also, to ask questions, share ideas, network with others and receive additional online support and mentoring
• Learn about local opportunities, organisations and further training both for themselves and the disabled people they support.

To ensure maximum impact of the programme, Activity Alliance and UK Coaching aim to work closely with the County Sports Partnership network and other identified national partners.

These include National Governing Bodies of sport, MIND, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists.

Activity Alliance is keen to hear from anyone who would like to be part of this programme as an individual or an organisation.

Please contact programmes@activityalliance.org.uk or call 01509 227753.