Activity Alliance's LEAD programme goes international
Two years ago, Activity Alliance developed the LEAD (Leading Equitable and Accessible Delivery) programme in partnership with the County Sport Partnership Network and Sport England. Its impact is now expanding internationally after an organisation in Canada approached us about the improvement toolkit.
Based on the Culture and Sport Improvement Toolkit, LEAD supports County Sports Partnerships, National Governing Bodies of sport and leisure operators to embed better practice in disability equality.
Our team of engagement advisors deliver LEAD workshops throughout England. They take place over a day and we encourage staff, trustees and partners to get involved in the process.
The workshop guides the group to self-assess their structure, vision and programmes over nine themes for disabled people in order to create an improvement plan. This plan has specific actions that Activity Alliance can support to implement and deliver over time.
A year ago, the Abilities Centre in Ontario, Canada approached us after hearing about our work. They are a charitable organisation that delivers sports and fitness, arts, research and education, and life skills opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
After a meeting with our Chief Executive and Head of Engagement, they asked to take on the LEAD programme. On their second visit, Christina Swett joined the Canadian delegates to go through the LEAD process, as she would be responsible for its delivery in Canada.
Since then the relationship has flourished, we are in regular contact with the Abilities Centre and enjoy learning about their progress overseas. This is backed with a formal Memorandum of Understanding for one year, which supports both organisations to share better practice. It also allows Activity Alliance to seek more partnerships that are international in the future.
Barry Horne, Chief Executive for Activity Alliance, said:
"We are delighted that the Abilities Centre is benefitting from LEAD, and they are able to understand, influence and enhance their own offers more effectively. Although we have worked internationally before with other programmes, we are pleased that LEAD has value overseas too. Their learning and experience will also enable us as we work towards our vision that disabled people active for life."
Stuart McReynolds, Director of Sport, Recreation and Partnerships for Abilities Centre, said:
"Inclusion, from our perspective, means encouraging people of all abilities to engage in meaningful participation together in an environment which fosters a sense of belongingness and autonomy. As a research and education-based organisation, we partner with organisations to develop programmes that are recognised for our innovative and unique approach to addressing inclusion issues facing individuals, families, businesses and communities.
"In our pursuit of realising our vision, we identified Activity Alliance as an organisation that is changing the landscape of inclusion in the UK, and an organisation which could support what we are looking to achieve in Canada. Notably, we identified that the LEAD initiative would significantly enhance the work we are doing at the initial stages of engagement with organisations, which has been recognised as a significant gap nationally. The systemic approach through the LEAD initiative supports the development of strategies to ensure that organisations have the capacity, accountability and support to create sustainable, meaningful change.
"We are excited to continue our work with Activity Alliance, not only in supporting our vision for an inclusive Canada, but also to partner to create global impact, where the abilities and potential of every individual can be realised and celebrated."
To find out more about our LEAD programme and engagement work, please visit our Engagement and Partnerships page, email the Engagement team at info@activityalliance.org.uk or call 01509 227750.
Photo credit: Abilities Centre
