11 minute read
Tackling inequalities with Get Yourself Active grant
Disabled people are more likely to be physically inactive, and Disability Rights UK are taking on the challenge to change the statistics.
IN 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Get Yourself Active (GYA), a programme run by Disability Rights UK was selected by Sport England as a Tackling Inequalities Fund (TIF) delivery partner. This fund was set up to provide a lifeline to those organisations that had been adversely impacted by the pandemic. This is especially timely as, according to Sport England’s research, Disabled people are twice as likely to be physically inactive (41%) than those without a disability (20%).
With activities and organisations grinding to a halt as a result of coronavirus restrictions, Sport England set out to make sure that Disabled people would not lose the opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity in ways that work for them. The Tackling Inequalities fund was set up to make sure that those who already struggle to access sport and physical activity don’t further lose out as the pandemic shut down organisations across the country.
Healthy results
So far (between August 2020 and March 2021) the GYA team has been able to award a total of 36 grants to Disabled People’s User Led Organisations (DPULOs). These exciting projects have directly and indirectly supported almost 2000 people through fitness, yoga, dance and performance-based activities, sport, peer mentoring and buddying support. From setting up online classes and sessions to planning covid-safe returns to in-person activity, the funding has been crucial in keeping the work of our amazing DPULOs going.
Just this month the organisation Traverse evaluated the TIF programme that the fantastic GYA had been running to date and shared an interim impact report. This made clear the wide range of benefits that taking part in sport and physical activity has had on our community of Disabled people. Those that took part in TIF funded projects reported a wide range of mental wellbeing benefits for participants, such as reduced isolation, and improved confidence and mood.
Projects also reported improvements in participants’ physical wellbeing, for example, strength and mobility fitness, which is, of course, great news. Crucially the grants also helped organisations create new cross-sector partnerships between Disabled people and physical activity organisations, which supported Disabled people to become or stay active.
A clear focus on coproduction
Another highlight of the TIF funding has been the prioritisation of coproduction methods within the organisations we have supported. Focusing on those activities which are co-produced meant that Get Yourself Active could ensure that activities were needs-led, engaging and inclusive.
We all have a right to be active and
use the services and facilities that have been created through inclusive design. Co-production is central to bringing this about, where everybody works together on an equal basis to create a service or come to a decision that works for them all.
At its centre, there is an organisational shift in power dynamics that creates a more equal relationship between the people who use services and those who provide them. We are proud to see the success of the TIF funded programmes that have co-production at their heart.
Of course, it was more difficult to co-produce during the pandemic due to social, environmental, and technical challenges but that didn’t mean it wasn’t as important or rewarding for those involved. Focusing on this has also produced several key learnings for both GYA and the organisations we support that we can take forward into future projects.
Throughout this stage of the TIF project, digital delivery mechanisms, such as Zoom, Teams and other digital platforms, opened physical activity to new audiences, but it was important for online activity sessions to still take into account Disabled people’s needs and the barriers they face.
Co-production methods allowed us to understand the limits and challenges of the digital medium, empowering our communities to feedback what has and hasn’t worked for them to therefore understand how and where best to deploy digital delivery solutions. As we go forward, the lessons learned during this stage will prove invaluable in designing projects that work for everyone involved.
A bright future of sport and physical activity
Looking back on the past year it is clear that TIF has provided vital breathing space for the DPULOs we have worked with. While there are many sustainable elements within the projects, most require further funding to sustain or embed their activities and this will become our next focus.
As we move forward into the next phase of TIF we can see clear opportunities to explore physical activity types in more depth, capture lessons learned about digital co-production, and provide partners with more strategic support around partnership building and sustainability planning.
We are very so excited to continue this amazing and important work. Stayed tuned!
The GYA team is still accepting applications for The Tackling Inequalities Fund and is particularly keen to hear from Disabled People’s User Led Organisations supporting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities. So, if you are interested in applying, please let us know at tacklinginequalities@
disabilityrightsuk.org
Author: Disability Rights UK Website: disabilityrightsuk.org Twitter: @DisRightsUK Facebook: @disabilityrightsuk
Finding a family for Tyler Finding a family for Tyler North West agency Adoption Now is seeking a family for lovely little boy Finding a family for Tyler North West agency Adoption Now is seeking a family for lovely little boy
North West agency Adoption Now is seeking a family for lovely little boy A safe home with a family that loves you for who you are is something most people take for granted, but for some children that is what they’re looking for and unfortunately it can take some time to find. Tyler, who is three years old, is one of these children who is in need of a loving, nurturing and supportive family who can adopt him and care for him as he grows and learns, however that may be. Tyler loves being creative, doing lots of drawing and painting especially using his favourite Etch-a-sketch, which he takes everywhere with him. Tyler really loves a good bop to his favourite music and nursery rhymes, he’s a good little mover; even when playing chasing games, which really make him belly laugh. Like most boys his age Tyler enjoys spending time outdoors riding his little bike, climbing things and playing on the swings at the park; but he also enjoys chilling out, tickling his face with soft blankets and having snuggles with the people closest to him. With his light-brown, wavy hair and beautiful blue eyes Tyler melts the hearts of everybody he meets, but despite this like most children with some additional needs he has waited longer than average to find a family to adopt him. Tyler is a little boy who has had a difficult start in life. He is delayed in his development, with some social, sensory and communication needs. Tyler’s speech has been slow to develop which has caused him frustration at times. His vocabulary is now increasing slowly and he is making progress in his general development, although he is still delayed in most areas. Tyler is also very sensitive to touch so he needs careful understanding and patience at bath and getting ready times. Tyler has recently been diagnosed as being longsighted and will need to wear glasses although, at
A safe home with a family that loves you for who you are is something most people take for granted, but for some children that is what they’re looking for and unfortunately it can take some time to find. Tyler, who is three years old, is one of these children who is in need of a loving, nurturing and supportive family who can adopt him and care for him as he grows and learns, however that may be. Tyler loves being creative, doing lots of drawing and painting especially using his favourite Etch-a-sketch, which he takes everywhere with him. Tyler really loves a good bop to his favourite music and nursery rhymes, he’s a good little mover; even when playing chasing games, which really make him belly laugh. Like most boys his age Tyler enjoys spending time outdoors riding his little bike, climbing things and playing on the swings at the park; but he also enjoys chilling out, tickling his face with soft blankets and having snuggles with the people closest to him. the moment he isn’t too keen on wearing them. His gross motor skills, like walking, are good but Tyler can be particular about when he chooses to use these skills. With his light-brown, wavy hair and beautiful blue eyes Tyler melts the hearts of everybody he meets, Adoption Now is happy to offer a tailored and but despite this like most children with some comprehensive package of support to help families additional needs he has waited longer than average provide the care that Tyler may need, from to find a family to adopt him. advocating on Tyler’s behalf to specialist therapeutic and disability support and much more. So potential Tyler is a little boy who has had a difficult start in life. He is delayed in his development, with some social, adopters who have the space in their hearts but may have some worries shouldn’t rule themselves out but have a conversation with a social worker first. sensory and communication needs. Those who know Tyler describe him warmly as an Tyler’s speech has been slow to develop which has affectionate little boy with a sweet-nature, that he caused him frustration at times. His vocabulary is now would love to share with a family of his own. increasing slowly and he is making progress in his general development, although he is still delayed in If you could consider adopting Tyler or want to most areas. Tyler is also very sensitive to touch so he talk more about adopting a child with additional needs careful understanding and patience at bath and getting ready times. needs, call 01204 336 096 or visit www.adoptionnow.org.uk for more information. Tyler has recently been diagnosed as being longsighted and will need to wear glasses although, at
A safe home with a family that loves you for who you are is something most people take for granted, but for some children that is what they’re looking for and unfortunately it can take some time to find. Tyler, who is three years old, is one of these children who is in need of a loving, nurturing and supportive family who can adopt him and care for him as he grows and learns, however that may be. Tyler loves being creative, doing lots of drawing and painting especially using his favourite Etch-a-sketch, which he takes everywhere with him. Tyler really loves a good bop to his favourite music and nursery rhymes, he’s a good little mover; even when playing chasing games, which really make him belly laugh. Like most boys his age Tyler enjoys spending time outdoors riding his little bike, climbing things and playing on the swings at the park; but he also enjoys chilling out, tickling his face with soft blankets and having snuggles with the people closest to him.
the moment he isn’t too keen on wearing them. His With his light-brown, wavy hair and beautiful blue gross motor skills, like walking, are good but Tyler eyes Tyler melts the hearts of everybody he meets, can be particular about when he chooses to use but despite this like most children with some these skills. additional needs he has waited longer than average to find a family to adopt him. Adoption Now is happy to offer a tailored and comprehensive package of support to help families Tyler is a little boy who has had a difficult start in life. provide the care that Tyler may need, from He is delayed in his development, with some social, advocating on Tyler’s behalf to specialist therapeutic sensory and communication needs. and disability support and much more. So potential Tyler’s speech has been slow to develop which has caused him frustration at times. His vocabulary is now increasing slowly and he is making progress in his adopters who have the space in their hearts but may have some worries shouldn’t rule themselves out but have a conversation with a social worker first. general development, although he is still delayed in Those who know Tyler describe him warmly as an most areas. Tyler is also very sensitive to touch so he affectionate little boy with a sweet-nature, that he needs careful understanding and patience at bath and would love to share with a family of his own. getting ready times. Tyler has recently been diagnosed as being longsighted and will need to wear glasses although, at If you could consider adopting Tyler or want to talk more about adopting a child with additional needs, call 01204 336 096 or visit
www.adoptionnow.org.uk for more information.
the moment he isn’t too keen on wearing them. His gross motor skills, like walking, are good but Tyler can be particular about when he chooses to use these skills. Adoption Now is happy to offer a tailored and comprehensive package of support to help families provide the care that Tyler may need, from advocating on Tyler’s behalf to specialist therapeutic and disability support and much more. So potential adopters who have the space in their hearts but may have some worries shouldn’t rule themselves out but have a conversation with a social worker first. Those who know Tyler describe him warmly as an affectionate little boy with a sweet-nature, that he would love to share with a family of his own.
