London Sport is pleased to announce that we are partnering with Access Sport to lead the Southwark and Lewisham Disability Sports Networks, to help build on the existing work being done through Access Sport’s Changing Places London work.
These networks are co-created with like-minded community sport organisations and aim to provide local disabled people the same opportunities to be physically active as their non-disabled peers.
Stakeholders from different sectors, including health and education and local sports clubs, meet regularly to address current challenges and opportunities disabled people face and explore projects to get more of these communities active.
Over the last year, these two networks have been:
– Upskilling coaches and volunteers through training and creating opportunities for them to network and learn from one another
– Supporting clubs who deliver inclusive sessions with guidance and promotion to other disabled communities their not connected with
– Ensuring it is easy to find inclusive activities within the community
– Working with stakeholders to implement long-term sustainable changes within the community.
Miles Lloyd, Development Manager at London Sport, said:
“We are thrilled with this partnership and its impact on London’s community sport space. It is clear that more needs to be done to get London’s disabled young people active, however, through projects like this one we can start to make long-term sustainable change. We look forward to working with Access Sport in the future and expanding the reach of this work”.
A specific highlight of the last year has been the two annual inclusive multisport festivals organised by the networks. The festivals provide local disabled young people to explore local sport in a fun and welcoming environment. Attended by community sport organisations and clubs, the festivals are also a fantastic opportunity for like-minded stakeholders to network, share best practices and recruit new disabled participants.
Recent funding of £20k from London Sport has also meant the network can support new activity across Peckham and Catford South, identified as areas with high inactivity. Disabled people and their carers have shared their insight which is helping to inform new and sustainable programmes that will encourage disabled people to be active.
A special thanks to all the organisations that have contributed to these game-changing networks:
– Disability Sports Coach.
– GLL
– Kaleidoscope
– Lewisham Council
– London South Bank University
– South-East London Tennis
– Southwark Council
If you’re an organisation working across these boroughs that would like to get involved or learn more about the Disability Sports Networks, please get in touch.
You can see all the pictures from the annual multi-sport festivals by clicking the links below.
About London Sport
London Sport is a charity helping all Londoners live longer, healthier, and happier lives through being active. Our focus is children and adults in the most deprived communities who face the greatest challenges of inequality. We tackle disparities between access and opportunity in physical activity and sport, as a solution to wider societal inequalities.
We are supported by Sport England and the Mayor of London, and collaborate with London’s local authorities and other organisations, to remove barriers and provide fairer access to sport and physical activity across the capital. Our work specifically addresses underlying inequalities in sporting provision, particularly for those in underserved communities who face the greatest challenges to leading an active life.
For further information contact:
Lucy Bishop, Head of Communications & Advocacy
[email protected] | 07908 824 644
[email protected]
For more information on London Sport, visit www.londonsport.org
