New Disability Network Toolkit set for September launch

London Sport gave an exclusive first-look of their new Disability Network Toolkit to a small selection of industry partners at a sold-out Communities of Practice event on Thursday (22 August).

The toolkit is designed to support the development and delivery of local physical activity and sport networks focused on enabling deaf and disabled people to be more active.

Enabling more deaf and disabled people to be active is an integral part of London Sport’s work to achieve An Active and Inclusive Capital and reach the most inactive Londoners.

The latest Active Lives data from Sport England shows disabled people or those with a long-term health condition are twice as likely (42%) to be inactive as those without (21%).

London Sport’s Disability Network Toolkit, which launches in September, aims to support the work being done by local networks of like-minded people and organisations providing inclusive and access activity opportunities.

It contains case studies, recommendations and template resources to ensure every part of the capital can enjoy benefits like partnerships and funding from their local networks.

The event saw Daniel Ball from Haringey Council speak about deaf and disabled people’s involvement in developing their network, whilst Robert Dunne from Lambeth Council explained about how, as part of the adult social care team, participation in the network is enabling him to achieve wider borough outcomes and positively impact on deaf and disabled residents’ lives.

Martin Symcox (CEO, Metro Blind Sport) and Eleanor Grant (Grants Officer, London Marathon Charitable Trust) were also able to present on their ambitions for the capital and opportunities for partnership working within the disability and inclusion field.

The Community of Practice event came on the same day charity Sense received £1.3m in funding from Sport England, via the National Lottery, to support people with complex disability to be active.

The funding will enable Sense to expand its programme of sports provision, working with local partners, including London Sport, to run accessible sport sessions in London and across the country.

Alex Gibbons, London Sport’s Specialist Advisor for Disability, said:

“It was a great session and we were thrilled to see so many engaged and proactive organisations represented, a real mix of familiar faces and people relatively new to disability inclusion keen to learn more.

"Daniel and Robert are both doing innovative work to encourage real change through their local disability sports networks while Martin and Eleanor offered some exciting partnership and funding opportunities.

"This wasn’t a one-off coming together of like-minded organisations though; we want this to be the start of a unique community, giving everyone the opportunity to share and learn, and make London an active inclusive capital.”

For more information on London Sport's disability and inclusion work, contact Alex Gibbons.