Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training awareness week Communities reaping benefits of active lives

Over three years, more than 7,000 people have benefitted from Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training. As a result, tens of thousands of disabled people are leading a more active lifestyle. The programme is reaching its final six months of this funding cycle and the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is using an awareness week to celebrate the successes so far. From 6-13 April, join us in promoting the value of this training in communities across England.

Support more disabled people to lead active lives in your community

From Thursday 6 April, EFDS will be sharing stories, videos and more from Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training on Twitter and Facebook. Each day, the stories will focus on how the training has made a real difference to disabled people, volunteers, support workers, community organisations and healthcare professionals.

How you can get involved

- Individuals and organisations can show their support by signing up to our Thunderclap. With your help, we  can blast the important training message across social media on Thursday 13 April.

- Share our stories on social media using the programme hashtag #AK4A

- Perhaps you have taken part in a workshop. Share your stories with us – it would be great to know more!

- Sign up for a workshop using the contact information below.

"A unique opportunity to up-skill those at the heart of our communities”

Barry Horne, Chief Executive of EFDS, said:

"EFDS exists to make active lives possible for disabled people so we’re really keen to get more people in every community feeling confident and skilled at including everyone in activities. The Inclusive Community Training is a unique opportunity to up-skill those who are at the heart of our local communities.

"There are many people working or volunteering in local areas, who would benefit from the additional knowledge that this training provides. They often play a major role in influencing more disabled people to be active, whether in their own groups or by setting up new sessions. This week puts a spotlight on the tremendous opportunities available around the country.”

Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training is delivered by EFDS in partnership with sports coach UK. Mark Gannon, CEO of sports coach UK, added:

"Sports coach UK is delighted to have worked in partnership with EFDS on the Inclusive Community programme since 2013, leading to over 7,000 individuals taking part in the training. This programme will leave a legacy of well-trained confident volunteers and support workers inspiring continued participation within the disabled community who, while having lots of fun and being involved socially, will also benefit from the long-term health benefits being physically active brings.”

Lisa O’Keefe, Director of Insight at Sport England said:

"The Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training has equipped thousands of people with the knowledge and confidence to help disabled people be more active. This training reaches the people that are likely to have a supporting role in the disabled person’s life, provides them with guidance on options and possibilities for an active life, so they can not only encourage disabled people to be active but also be confident the activity is relevant and suitable.  

"This is part of our commitment and ambition for everyone, regardless of their age, background or level of ability, to feel able to engage in sport and physical activity.”

More information

The Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training Programme is a unique opportunity that improves knowledge, competence and confidence of those that work and support disabled people in delivering sport-based activities. It is aimed at people or organisations that represent the community, have direct access or contact with disabled people or have the opportunity to introduce physical activity and sport to disabled people.

The training consists of a three-hour practical workshop, supported by online materials and costs a maximum of £10 per participant, although subsidies may apply.

To find out about workshops in your area or to arrange one yourself, email AK4A@efds.co.uk or telephone 01509 227751.

-ends-

For more information, please contact:

Rhian McCarroll, Active Kids for All Project Officer at rmccarroll@efds.co.uk, telephone: 01509 227751

Mike Jennings, Communications Advisor at mjennings@efds.co.uk, telephone: 0161 200 5440

For more information on EFDS please visit our website: www.efds.co.uk 

Find us on Twitter @Eng_Dis_Sport, Facebook and LinkedIn

Hashtag #AK4A

Notes to editors:

Sainsbury’s Active Kids was launched in 2005 in response to growing concerns around children’s activity and obesity levels. Active Kids has a long heritage of helping to inspire schoolchildren of all ages and abilities to get active and has so far donated with over £170 million worth of equipment and experiences to nurseries, schools, Scout and Guide groups and sports clubs.

In 2012, Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All was launched, which initially focussed on the development and delivery of inclusive PE training for teachers in mainstream schools across the UK.

In 2013, Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All Inclusive Community Training was developed to extend the high quality support for teachers through the Inclusive PE Training initiative- to community based groups and organisations.

The Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All Inclusive Community Training is being delivered through the English Federation of Disability Sport and sports coach UK, supported by £1 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England.

For further information please contact the Active Kids for All team on email AK4A@efds.co.uk or telephone 01509 227751.

English Federation of Disability Sport

The English Federation of Disability Sport has a vision that disabled people are active for life. EFDS is the national body for disabled people in sport throughout England. Key areas of expertise include:

Providing advice, guidance and information on sport for disabled people.

Working with partners to engage more disabled people in sport and physical activity. Partners include National Governing Bodies of sport, National Disability Sports Organisations, education networks, as well as local county sports partnerships, local authorities, disability charities and other third sector organisations.

Developing and rolling-out national programmes to improve access to sport and physical activity by disabled people, such as Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All PE training.

Providing a comprehensive calendar of participation opportunities through Disability Sport Events. These are delivered to increase the number of disabled people participating at all levels and support the identification and development of talented performers.

Managing the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) with a national coverage of 400 IFI Mark accredited gym facilities. The IFI Mark is fundamental in addressing inequality in physical activity; to reach inactive populations, raise awareness of the benefits of exercise and create demand.

Influencing and supporting delivery partners to be more inclusive and to provide a greater range and quality of sporting opportunities for disabled people.

Providing a range of inclusive and high quality training opportunities to increase the number of disabled people involved in sport and physical activity.

Actively raising the profile of all disabled sportswomen and sportsmen, as well as increasing the opportunities available for disabled people to participate at all levels.

Fundraising to provide more opportunities through EFDS and attracting additional funds to sport for disabled people.

EFDS receives funding from Sport England as its national partner for disabled people in sport.