Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training: "You learn how to improve"
There is just over a year to go of Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training, the workshop that has enabled over 5,600 people to better support disabled people to be more active.
Delivered by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) and sports coach UK, the programme is designed to improve the skills and confidence of participants, and is a creative and informal development opportunity.
York-based Barbara Agnew took the workshop back in 2014. Here she explains how Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training has enabled her to provide activities for people of all abilities.
What is your profession and why did you decide to take the training?
I am a support worker for a young person and also work for an agency. I went on the Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training because I wanted to expose myself to new ways of working and new ideas. And it certainly opened my eyes!
As a support worker I help disabled people live independently and live life on their own terms. My experience has been helping people of all ages, from the young boy I work closely with now, to elderly care.
At the time I completed the training I was about to move to work in a new centre, which had a focus on disability sport.
I wanted to be able to devise new games for the residents, who attend as a social gathering, but to ensure they also benefit physically. The workshop definitely lived up to my expectations!
Why did you prioritise learning about adapting activities?
Physical fitness is clearly very important for disabled people. Non-disabled people have more options to get immediately physically active, whereas disabled people quite often need support. But the end result is the same – feeling healthy and better about yourself, and that sense of inclusion. When you are playing a game with others you feel included.
What one key lesson did you take from Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training?
I learned that communication when running an activity is vital. These days I always ensure that every participant knows where I am at all times, and I do that by creating sounds and noises.
I also work on a Friday as part of a disability athletics club with 15 members – it takes place indoors or on the track at the University of York. Myself and the coach have devised the Red, Yellow and Green Game, where you walk on Red, jog on Yellow and sprint on Green. It’s a fun, accessible activity that everyone who attends is able to do.
Have you also developed useful skills for in your one-to-one work?
The young man I work with has a visual impairment, spina bifida and cerebral palsy. We play lots of games together, and these days I use certain coloured balls which he can see better.
Prior to the training he might have had trouble seeing the ball, but we now use items which are bright yellow. And it’s had an impact, improving his confidence because he can successfully catch the ball, which in turn makes him happier.
Why would you recommend Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training to others?
It’s only when you experience Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training that you can begin to understand barriers faced by disabled people and can make adaptations accordingly. You learn how to improve an activity to make it accessible for everyone.
