Let’s Skate - breaking down barriers on and off the ice
With the world celebrating ice skating at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games we highlight the work going on at British Ice Skating to break down barriers to their sport.
The National Governing Body, and Activity Alliance supporter, is showing its commitment to accessibility and inclusion with their Let’s Skate project.
The three-year pilot project, funded by Sport England, is creating and delivering opportunities for disabled people to access and progress through ice skating. The Let’s Skate team have been collaborating with key partners to increase awareness and representation and change attitudes towards disability. They have created a pathway that is inclusive, offers direction, and is sustainable.
Sheffield’s Let’s Skate session is growing into an exciting hub for opportunity and taster events, driven by collaboration.
Partnering with British Blind Sport
The journey began with a taster session delivered in partnership with British Blind Sport. For many coaches, this was new territory. There were understandable questions about how best to support skaters with visual impairments, particularly off the ice.
Through training from British Blind Sport and support from the Let’s Skate team, coaches grew in confidence. Trust developed between skaters and staff, and what started as a single taster session quickly gained momentum.
Interest also sparked with Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind, a local organisation supporting blind and partially sighted people. One-off sessions became monthly fixtures. Participation steadily increased, with skaters progressing from using TykeSkaters, a type of learning aid, to skating independently.
Many are now achieving milestones within Skate UK, British Ice Skating’s Learn to Skate programme. It focusses on teaching the fundamentals of ice skating. In collaboration with Activity Alliance, the Skate UK dispensation model was introduced for anyone with a disability or long-term health condition to learn new skills and progress through a pathway with reasonable adjustments.
The model introduces three additional ways of progressing through the programme, prioritising accessibility and adaption for individual needs to celebrate and develop skater’s ability rather than their limitations.
Activity Alliance embedded their expertise in inclusive practice, resource sharing, and ensuring the change is meaningful for any skater, volunteer, coach involved in the Skate UK programme.
Creating opportunities with Cerebral Palsy Sport
Cerebral Palsy Sport have also taken part in a dedicated taster session in Sheffield.
Thanks to additional elbow supports funded by Let’s Skate, participants with multiple impairments were able to access the ice. For some this was for the very first time. These new supports can be transformative, enabling skaters who might otherwise be unable to move freely, or even get onto the ice at all.
The team embraced learning opportunities throughout, even trialling frame runners on the ice. By combining adaptive equipment with the Skate UK dispensation model, skaters are developing new skills, setting goals and progressing within the sport.
Jen Basford, Head of Sport and Partnerships at Cerebral Palsy Sport, said:
“CP Sport has greatly enjoyed working with British Ice Skating on the Let’s Skate project. The inclusive Let’s Skate sessions offered to our beneficiaries have been encouraging, supportive, and highly enjoyable. The coaches are excellent, creating an environment where everyone can participate and feel welcome, regardless of ability. We look forward to continuing our partnership and to providing further opportunities through Let’s Skate in the future”.
Building momentum and looking ahead
Demand for inclusive skating opportunities in Sheffield continues to grow. A new monthly pan-disability session has been introduced, widening access even further.
The team is also preparing to welcome Dwarf Sports Association UK to begin their ice skating journey. Looking ahead, Let’s Skate is exploring the creation of an inclusive club model. The aim is to provide regular, structured opportunities for disabled people to skate, develop and progress along a clear pathway. The team are keen to ensure that inclusion is embedded long term, not delivered as a short-term intervention.
Find out more:
For more information about skating activities near you, visit the British Ice Skating website. Or to speak to a member of the Let’s Skate team, email: letsskate@iceskating.org.uk.
