Push To Get More Disabled People Involved In Sport

Leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire has teamed up with Sport England to get more disabled people involved in sport...

Sport England will invest £1.2 million in the All Active Together initiative over three years to fund opportunities for disabled people to participate or volunteer in sport related activities.

The UK wide inclusive community partnership will concentrate on offering accessible, everyday opportunities and will be available across a wide geographical spread, based on need. All Active Together will initially grow in communities across Barrow­-in-Furness, Bristol, Derbyshire, Devon, Essex, Gloucestershire, Isle of Wight, Kent, London, Manchester, Wolverhampton and Yorkshire.

“The project reflects our ethos and the way we work as an organization,” said Ruth Owen, Leonard Cheshire’s CEO. “All Active Together will offer inclusive services in ways that align to local needs, so everyone can contribute to positive individual change and wider opportunities for disabled people. Sport England are the perfect partner and we’re excited to be working with them.”

After establishing the programme regionally, Leonard Cheshire will also look to integrate activity with their network of social care services. “Whether playing, volunteering or otherwise, ensuring that everyone in society has the opportunity to be involved in sport and physical activity is at the heart of Sport England’s work,” said Mike Diaper, Sport England’s Executive Director of Tackling Inactivity.

“With our most recent research continuing to show notable gaps between disabled and nondisabled people on these fronts, great programmes such as All Active Together are more important than ever. We’re incredibly proud to be working with Leonard Cheshire to deliver opportunities across England and look forward to seeing its positive impact over the coming years.”

To find out more go to www.leonardcheshire.org