Inclusive Fitness Initiative Short-listed for National Award

15th August 2007

A project that provides access to fitness for disabled people has been short-listed for a national award.

The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) has been in operation since 2001, supporting facilities to open their doors to disabled people. 5 sites in Cumbria that have been supported through IFI are part of a national project being recognised by the National Lottery as one of the top health projects receiving lottery funding across England.

The Sands Cantre, Ulverston Leisure Centre, Kendal Leisure Centre, ActivZone @ Lakes College and Whitehaven Sports Centre have received support through the programme.

Inclusive fitness facilities operate around four key components:

- Accessible buildings and inclusive business practives.

- Fitness equipment that can meet the needs of both disabled and non-disabled people.

- Staff who have the necessary skills to offer a safe, effective and value for money workout for disabled people.

-Organisations that change the way in which they promote themselves to become more attractive to all sectors of the community.

With the rise in obesity levels, and with a high percentage of the population leading a largly sedentary life, access to physical activity opportunities is critical for the whole population. However with these statistics being more severe amongst the disabled population it is crutial that physical activity opportunities are accessible to all sectors of the community. A recent survey conducted by Sport England indicated that only 8.8% of the disabled population are physically active.

The National Lottery Awards offer a fantastic opportunity not only to gain recognition for the work of facilities across the region, but also to raise awareness of the importance of offering access for disables people and ensuring that disabled people become more physically active.

The IFI has reached the final three projects in the Best Health Category with the winners being announced during a dedicated awards show on Saturday 15th September on BBC1.

You can vote either by phone on 0845 386 8096, or online at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/.

Over the past year the IFI has attracted over 350,000 visits to inclusive facilities across England by disabled people. This figure is expected to be over 500,000 over the next twelve months.

Sue Catton, IFI National Director said:

"As a nation we must become more physically active, yet the opportunities that many of us take for granted to achieve this are not always accessible for disabled people. The IFI has made huge strides to address this in the fitness industry, stimulating a change in attitude, facility design and ultimately participation levels amongst disabled people.

As well as gaining recognition, being short-listed for this award places the inclusion agenda firmly in the limelight. I would urge people to vote to raise the profile of this agenda yet further."

There is no question that the IFI has made a substantial impact upon the lives of many disabled people in the region and further a field, by progressing to the final round of these awards the agenda for inclusion would be placed firmly in the mainstream, not only raising awareness of the opportunities that exist for disabled people, but raising awareness amongst organisations that are not currently doing enough that now is the time to act.

For further information on local accredited IFI facilities please visit www.inclusivefitness.org/or call 0114 2572060.