EFDS changes name to Activity Alliance

Commenting on the new name, Barry Horne Chief Executive of Activity Alliance said:

“We are the same team with the same passionate focus on disability, inclusion and sport, but with an exciting new name and image. Through our work with amazing people and influential world-renowned activity programmes for disabled people, we know the time is right for us to embrace this change.

“Activity Alliance brings our members, partners and disabled people together to make active lives possible. Collectively, we continue to challenge perceptions and change the reality of disability, inclusion and sport.”

A brand identity has been developed to support the organisation’s new name and wider remit, which is being introduced a few months ahead of the charity’s 20th anniversary in September.

The change follows a thorough strategic review that included research about the charity’s purpose and its impact. As part of the review, the charity carried out stakeholder consultations with staff, member organisations, disabled people and partners.

The feedback consensus was that the original name, ‘English Federation of Disability Sport’ limited the organisation’s potential.

The review concluded that a new direction and wider remit were needed around well-being, activity and health, creating the opportunity for the charity to deliver greater impact for disabled people.

Find more information on Activity Alliance on our refreshed website www.activityalliance.org.uk and www.activityalliance.org.uk/brand (live during 26 April 2018).

Notes to Editors:

• For further information on Activity Alliance, please contact: Sarah Brown-Fraser, Marketing and Communications Manager, mobile 07764 291671.
• The website will go live on 26 April. Some browsers can take up to 24 hours to update. Social media channels will change after the announcement.

About Activity Alliance

Activity Alliance is the operating name for the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS). We bring organisations and disabled people together to make active lives possible. Collectively, we continue to challenge perceptions and change the reality of disability, inclusion and sport.

The national charity looks to a better future where everyone can enjoy the opportunities available. Established in September 1998, Activity Alliance has a vision that disabled people are active for life. Key areas of expertise include:

• Striving for a more equal society in which disabled people can achieve more through increased opportunities and choice.
• Enabling organisations to support individual disabled people to be active and stay active for life.
• Working as England’s leading expert voice advocating disabled people’s participation in active recreation.
• A team of Advisors across English regions, who increase connections between a diverse range of partners so more disabled people can access sport and physical activity. These partners include National Governing Bodies of sport, County Sports Partnerships, National Disability Sports Organisations and leisure providers. We also actively engage with Disabled People’s Organisations, local authorities and third sector organisations.
• Developing and rolling-out programmes to improve access to sport and physical activity for disabled people, such as Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All PE training, Inclusive Community Training and Get Out Get Active.
• Providing participation opportunities through an events programme.
• Actively raising the profile of all disabled sportswomen and sportsmen, as well as increasing the opportunities available for disabled people to take part at all levels.
• Fundraising to provide more opportunities through Activity Alliance and attracting additional funds to sport for disabled people.
• Activity Alliance receives funding from Sport England as its expert partner for disabled people in sport.

www.activityalliance.org.uk

Charity Registration Number: 1075180