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Derbyshire IFI Paralympic Legacy Project

Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Sport were recently successful in acquiring funding from the local authority’s Short Break Capital Grants Scheme.  The £200,000 funding is to be used to support 20 leisure facility gyms across the County meet the IFI Mark Standards. Ten of these facilities are existing IFI Mark gyms due for reaccreditation and the remaining 10 facilities are new to the IFI Mark assessment process which considers accessibility of the facility and service provision.

Facilities were asked to submit information to Derbyshire Sport in relation to their fitness equipment requirements to meet the minimum IFI fitness equipment criteria – which provides disabled and non-disabled people with a full body workout across both the cardiovascular and strength range and any structural requirements to meet the IFI Mark standard for physical access i.e., accessible changing facilities, additional parking, hearing loops etc.,

This shows further commitment from Derbyshire County Council and its County Sports Partnership to ensure that disabled people are being considered when developing sport and leisure provision following funding from Sport England’s Places People Play Olympic and Paralympic legacy programme earlier in the year.

The assessments carried out by Direct Enquiries who were appointed by the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) to assess the three levels of IFI Mark Standards – provisional, registered and excellent are currently being carried out and all facilities are due to have achieved IFI Mark status by the end of the year. 

In developing this project Derbyshire Sport have consulted throughout with Reps On Board the Learning Disability Carers Community to ensure that service users need’s will be met.  This relationship will continue and the group will mystery shop the facilities for good customer service and accessibility.  Staff at the leisure facilities will be provided with Delivering an Excellent Service to Disabled Customers training and at least one member of the gym staff will be qualified to REP’s level 3 Exercise and Disability provided by YMCAfit.  To ensure that disabled people use the newly accredited facilities Derbyshire Sport will be raising awareness of the refurbishments to welcome more disabled people to enjoy being physically active. 

This is an example of how funding streams can be accessed and projects developed centrally towards inclusion – if you have any further questions or would like some further advice please contact us.