P EOPLE
IN CONVERSATION
LYNDSEY BARRETT We talk to the founder of Sport For Confidence, a social enterprise which uses sport and physical activity to enhance people’s wellbeing
What is Sport For Confidence and what does it do? Sport for Confidence has a vision to
environment, transport issues and cost. Sport For Confidence brings together
tackle inequalities and create an equitable
the expertise of occupational therapists
society where everyone can enjoy
and sports coaches. Together, our teams
community spaces that promote movement,
use sport and physical activity to create
activity, wellbeing and friendship.
inclusive, person-centred, opportunities
Currently, in the UK, many people such as those with a physical or mental
© EDWARD STARR PHOTOGRAPHER
physical inaccessibility caused by the
that break down barriers to participation and drive positive occupational outcomes.
impairment and those living with a long
Few of our participants arrive at our
term health condition who could hugely
door with the primary aim of improving
benefit from regular participation in sport
physical fitness. Mostly, they attend to feel
and physical activity face barriers which
valued, make friends, build vocational skills,
make access extremely difficult. Some
manage their health and enjoy themselves.
very common barriers include: a lack of
Therefore, we take a holistic, whole person
provision in terms of inclusive programming,
approach empowering each individual to work towards highly bespoke goals. Over the last 6 years we have developed a ‘no labels’ occupational model of practice which caters for, and welcomes, everyone. Our model is evidence-based. All our delivery decisions result from a mix of indepth clinical reasoning, feedback from our participants and regular consultation with our growing network of community partners.
Where did the idea for it come from? Sport for Confidence was established by 2015, when, as an occupational therapist of nineteen years working for the NHS, I recognised the potential in taking occupational therapy practice Sport For Confidence engages more than 2,500 people every month
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outside of its clinical setting and moving it into the community.
