OT RECEIVES
QUEEN’S HONOUR Sport for Confidence co-founder Lyndsey Barrett is to be honoured for her incredible contribution to the lives of disabled and disadvantaged people by helping them access sporting opportunities
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yndsey Barrett, co-founder of Sport for Confidence, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours. Recognised for her work supporting disabled people to be more active, Lyndsey will receive her British Empire Medal from the Lord-Lieutenant at a Royal Garden Party. An event that will be arranged once social distancing restrictions allow. Lyndsey worked as an occupational therapist for 20 years with extensive experience working with people living with learning disabilities and within community mental health. In 2015 Lyndsey left the profession and began Sport for Confidence in a bid to transform the lives of disabled people by improving access to inclusive sport opportunities in the community.
a monthly basis. Sport for Confidence now operates at multiple leisure centres across Essex and London, bringing occupational therapists together with sports coaches to deliver goal-oriented, person-centred sporting experiences that deliver positive outcomes that extend way beyond the field of play. “Today, I am incredibly proud to receive this award. I never set out to gain personal accolades but I have to admit this one is very special. I get my motivation and drive from the positive impact Sport for Confidence delivers on a daily basis and I intend to continue to work hard to stamp out inequalities that exist in sport and to strengthen collaboration between physical activity and health professionals. “Sport delivers so many health and social benefits, it should be the undisputed right of everybody to be able to access opportunities and get involved. I will continue to push for this through the work of Sport for Confidence and our partner network.” To find out more about the incredible work Lyndsey and the team are delivering, visit sportforconfidence.com.
Sport for Confidence is an innovative service that drives the provision of inclusive sporting opportunities in mainstream leisure centres. By placing occupational therapists and specialist coaches into leisure centres they have opened up sports and activities to a wide range of individuals who ordinarily would face barriers to accessing sport. The service is improving user’s confidence, independence, mental wellbeing and physical health and they even succeeded in supporting users throughout the pandemic through online activities and phone support. Lyndsey was delighted at the news of the accolade: “To receive this recognition and to be able to celebrate with my family, the team and all our participants is truly amazing. “When I left my role as senior occupational therapist at the NHS back in 2015 and began to deliver occupational therapy services to one person at Basildon Sporting Village, I had no idea that Sport for Confidence would grow into an established brand, creating opportunities for more than 2,500 individuals who face barriers to participation to enjoy the many benefits of sport on
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