The Active Charnwood Alliance has come together to deliver an inclusive sport week from 29th November – 3rd December 2021. Throughout this week, Active Charnwood are working together with local partners Fusion Lifestyle, Leicestershire Country Cricket Club, Charnwood Indoor Bowls Club, Loughborough Lawn Tennis Club and more to promote and expand Charnwood's inclusive sport offer, culminating in an inclusive sport festival on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD).

This year's theme of the IDPWD is 'Not All Disabilities Are Visible'. The day aims to raise awareness of disabilities which may not be immediately apparent but can still have an impact on people's lives. These include mental illness, learning differences, chronic pain and sight or hearing impairments among others.

Cllr. Robin Popley, Disabilities Champion for Charnwood, "When I first proposed the idea at Full Council, it was my vision that Charnwood could stage a Paralympic style event, for the Borough. Since then, with the hard work and collaboration of local partners, an entire inclusive sports week has been devised. This will champion Disability Sport within the area, as well as Disability, itself. The final day of the week is set to coincide with UNICEF's International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and this is important, as it encapsulates the ethos. All people, irrespective of their disability, race or creed, should be entitled to access sport and it is hoped this pioneers that".

We are hoping our inclusive sport week will act as a catalyst for inclusive sport/activity in Charnwood with the aim of creating sustainable inclusive opportunities for different age groups.

For more information contact Erin Simmonds at erin.simmonds@charnwood.gov.uk

- Walking Netball

- Walking Football

- Multi-activity Inclusive Games Morning

- Safe, Well, Happy

- Charnwood Action Group

- Seated Exercise

- Leicester City in the Community Inclusive football/multi-sport session for Quorn Hall School

Covid-19:

- Please adhere to social distancing where possible in public spaces

- Bring along your own PPE. We recommend bringing hand-sanitiser. You are welcome to wear a face mask prior to the session.

- If you or anyone in your household develops Covid-19 symptoms or receives a positive Covid-19 test result prior to the session please do not attend the Inclusive Sport Festival and follow the Government guidelines. If you have a positive test result self-isolate for 10 days, For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

- Please note, to attend The Charnwood Indoor Bowls Club you must have either been double vaccinated OR have evidence of a negative lateral flow test

For more information about England Boxing's Inclusive Boxing Programme visit: https://www.englandboxing.org/news_articles/england-boxings-new-hubs-selected-as-part-of-inclusive-boxing-programme/

For more information about Waterfront Sports & Education Academy visit: http://www.waterfrontsea.org/

Sense:

Sense is a charity for everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. They are here to help people communicate and experience the world. They provide resources and support including:

- Sensory walks which are designed for people with complex disabilities, but can be enjoyed by anyone – inclusive for all! They have various sensory walks mapped for you - including one in Quorn! For the route, visit: https://explore.osmaps.com/en/route/9699704/Stafford-Orchard-Sensory-Walk

- FREE Sensory Walks online training workshops. The workshop is suitable for anyone interested in setting up Sensory Walks or working to engage people with complex disabilities in nature-based activity
For more info visit: https://www.sense.org.uk/get-support/arts-sport-and-wellbeing/sense-sport/our-programme/sensory-walks/#training

- 'Connecting Differently Through Sport' workshop (online or in person) for people who deliver and support people with a disability in sport and physical activity settings. For more info visit: https://www.sense.org.uk/get-support/arts-sport-and-wellbeing/sense-sport/training/

The Loughborough Challenge:

The Challenge Hub has launched 'The Loughborough Challenge' for disabled people and those experiencing a mental health problem aged 25 to 54!

Inspired by the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, 'The Loughborough Challenge' aims to enhance the lives of disabled people and people experiencing a mental health problem by supporting individuals to complete achievements in learning, physical activity, and social contribution.

For more information visit https://www.theloughboroughchallenge.org/

Wheelpower:

Wheelpower, the national charity for wheelchair sport has launched their 'Get Active with WheelPower this Winter' campaign! They are supporting disabled people to stay active through the winter months

Look out for WheelPower's live online exercise classes. They deliver three classes via Zoom each week, FREE of charge! See their full online content here: https://www.wheelpower.org.uk/resources/get-active-with-wheelpower

Activity Alliance:

The national charity is providing free access to the programme's inclusive activity eLearning module as part of the new ReTrain to ReTain's initiative. The eLearning module offers a fun and interactive introduction to making physical activity inclusive and accessible for everyone. Through self-led study, individuals will explore and understand the theory of inclusive physical activity, including key inclusion models, barriers to participations, and communication principles.

Take a look at the eLearning module here: https://www.activityalliance.org.uk/new-online-learning-opportunities

The Activity Alliance has also developed 10 principles that can help sport providers to deliver more appealing and inclusive opportunities for disabled people! The principles are based on research published in the Activity Alliance 'Talk to Me' report from October 2014.

Check out the 10 principles video here: https://youtu.be/wp-CF8IhqUU

AoC Sport

AoC Sport Introducing campaign: Goalball

AoC sport are introducing Goalball as part of the AoC Sport Introducing campaign with dedicated information for colleges on how to get staff and students involved. Goalball is a 3-a-side indoor game of attack and defence designed for people who are blind and partially sighted. Sighted people can also play as everyone wears eyeshades.

For more information about how your school can get involved visit: https://www.aocsport.co.uk/news-cs/aoc-sport-introducing-campaign-goalball/