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Inclusive Community Training perfect fit for Volunteers' Week

This week is Volunteers' Week 2015. It is a celebration recognising the contribution of the 23 million people across the UK who volunteer in their communities.

The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) works closely with volunteers to ensure more disabled people can be active for life.

Volunteers also form an important group of people who could best benefit from Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All Inclusive Community Training.

In June 2014, a group of staff and volunteers from OnSide Youth Zones in the north of England attended a Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training workshop organised by GreaterSport.

Stephen Pearson at OnSide Youth Zones said:

“It enabled our staff and volunteers to think and reflect on their attitudes and values towards inclusion, get involved in practical delivery of activities and think about how these could be adapted to suit all individuals. It also prompted discussion and enabled people to share their experiences.”

Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training is a creative, informal and informative workshop. It is designed to improve the skills and confidence of those who support disabled people to introduce physical activity and sport.

The workshop provides first step training to support a wide variety of people (including support workers including those in day, community and faith centres), volunteers and community based groups and organisations.

Juan, volunteer from Interactive in London, told EFDS:

“Since the workshop, I feel more confident delivering sessions and I have a wider range of activities that I can use. Overall, the key thing I learnt from the training is that just because someone has a disability it doesn’t mean they can’t do what other people can do.”

Described as “opening the eyes” of participants, Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training celebrated its 1,000th trainee in the New Year, has trained dozens since and further sessions arranged for the remainder of 2015 across England.

Stephen Pearson at OnSide Youth Zones concluded:

“Overall, the course provided a simple and clear framework for the delivery of inclusive activities and therefore was a great starting point for those with little experience delivering sports based activities.”

Take time out this week to recognise the contribution 23 million volunteers make. And consider whether Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training is something you, or someone you know, could benefit from undertaking.

For further information, please contact EFDS, email AK4A@efds.co.uk or telephone 01509 227751. Find us on Twitter @Eng_Dis_Sport, Facebook and LinkedIn.