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Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training has 'developed our staff's confidence'

Key to measuring the success of Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training, a three-hour practical workshop complimented by online resources, is seeking and receiving feedback from participants.

And programme partners the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) and sports coach UK were delighted to hear of the positive experience of Brentwood Leisure Trust.

The Essex-based attendees enjoyed the fun, informal and informative practical training last year, in a workshop organised by Active Essex.

Nicky Smith, Leisure Services Manager at Brentwood, said:

“The staff that attended the course were from many different areas including Reception and Catering.

“All staff who took part on the course are now much more confident in the increase attendance of users with varied disabilities, both physical and mental.”

Over 3,100 people have now benefited from Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training, with dozens of further sessions taking place around the country in 2016.

Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training is for those who support disabled people of all ages within the community, and have an opportunity to put the training into practice.

For example; carers, support workers, parents, volunteers and community groups and organisations.

Nicky Smith said:

“We have used the course to develop the confidence in our frontline staff, so they are able to welcome and sign post the members where necessary.

“We have members with learning disabilities coming along to our ‘Fitness in Mind’ classes, so have adapted some of the activities to meet their abilities.

“Things have moved forwards significantly since the Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training – we now have 20 sport wheelchairs for the general public to use, and we have launched our 'Do It In a Chair' inclusive sports programme.”

Feedback from many participants and groups who have enjoyed Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training can be viewed on the EFDS website.

The Brentwood Leisure Trust is a not-for-profit leisure and entertainment company that operates seven venues in Brentwood and its surrounding areas.

Summing up her experience of Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training, Nicky Smith added:

“More than anything I think the main point of development since doing the course is the acceptance that we can accommodate anyone who comes into the centre and who wants to do an activity.

“For us, becoming an inclusive site that is very important. Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training is a good course, well worth doing for our organisation or others like us.”

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.