Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training marks International Women's Day 2016
International Women's Day 2016 is a global celebration which aims to inspire women across the world.
Over the last 18 months, the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) has been documenting the positive experiences of many women who have participated in Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training.
The training is for those who support disabled people of all ages within the community, such as carers, support workers, parents, volunteers and community groups and organisations.
Here, six women discuss their involvement in Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training and how it has helped to improve their skills and confidence to better support disabled people to be more active.
Amy O’Sullivan, artsNK Dance Team
I wanted to acquire a range of styles and techniques to enable me to engage specific participants on both an individual and group basis. I wanted extra knowledge to further my teaching career and prospects.
This excellent workshop gave me fresh and new ideas to incorporate in my sessions. I now have the motivation and confidence to plan and teach more creative sessions for the participants.
- Read more about Amy’s workshop, organised by Lincolnshire Sport.
Hayley Ramjattan, Paediatric Neuromuscular Physiotherapist
I attended a session of Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training at Northampton University – a dozen others were there. There was a real mixture of participants in the room, including staff and volunteers from various support groups. One person was in a wheelchair, and another did not have use of one of her arms.
Because it was such a spread of people it was interesting to see how different people planned to apply what they were learning to their own world of work.
- Read more about Hayley’s workshop, organised by Northamptonshire Sport.
Ellie Blessed, Gedling Sports Partnership
I promote disability sport around the community, and I have only been in the post for a month now. I wanted to learn things to support me in my new role.
I wanted to learn how to adapt sports, and how to be confident in doing so.
I attended on my own and I didn’t know what to expect in terms of what other people would be there, learning alongside me. But it turned out I was among the sportiest of the attendees, so I ended up taking the lead on much of the delivery.
I enjoyed that – we worked together as a team so that everybody learned.
- Read more about Ellie’s workshop, organised by Sport Nottinghamshire.
Jordanne Whiley, US Open wheelchair tennis champion
This is an important workshop, particularly as this education is important in giving volunteers more confidence.
I know how important the work of volunteers is, especially in disability sport, and they are vital at a grassroots level when you’re starting out.
A volunteer who has learned about inclusion makes life easier for disabled participants. It means that for a disabled person, attending a local sports club is no longer a hassle. Having a well-trained volunteer would enable a young disabled person to be able to play.
- Read more about Jordanne’s workshop, organised by Access Sport.
Yasmin Gordine, Maidstone Borough Council
My reasons for attending the training were to gain a more extensive skill set in terms of different engagement techniques with the young people. I also wanted to share best practise, as well as seeking reassurance that what the club delivers is appropriate and inclusive.
I would advise any person who is involved in working with disabled people to participate in Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training, because it’s one of those workshops that adapts so well to fit in with your line of work.
- Read more about Yasmine’s workshop, organised by Kent Sport and Physical Activity Service.
Hannah Brooks, a physiotherapist from Norfolk
I hope to be able to always include everyone in group activities, whatever their needs are. I have never worked with people who are visually impaired or have learning disabilities, but I hope that if my newly-developed skills will help overcome any barriers which I face.
Working as a physio in the community, I come into contact with patients more frequently with dementia - I feel what I have learned at this course will help me engage and work better with these patients.
- Read more about Hannah’s workshop, organised by Active Norfolk.
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.
