THREE more organisations have signed up for the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) IncludeMe WM programme.
Street Games, Sported and Access Sport have signed up to IncludeMe, which encourages organisations to improve how they engage with disabled people and those with long-term conditions.
The three organisations are about to start a new Sport England and WMCA-backed pilot designed to help the inclusive sport and physical activity sector recover from the pandemic.
The announcement follows research that reveals that thousands of disabled people across the UK say they have been forgotten during the pandemic.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands said: “The pandemic has affected people in the West Midlands in so many ways, highlighting and heightening long-standing inequalities.
“That’s why initiatives like our IncludeMe WM programme is designed to help improve the support provided for disabled people and those with long term health conditions, helping them become more active, promoting physical and mental health. Often crucial factors in helping people access job opportunities.”
The three, alongside the local Active Partnerships, will work with community based clubs across the West Midlands to encourage disabled people to be more active.
StreetGames uses sport to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people across the UK, helping to make young people and their communities healthier, safer and more successful.
Sported is the UK’s largest network of community groups supporting half a million young people to overcome barriers to reach their full potential.
They will be working with Access Sport which is a charity created to improve children and young people’s health and wellbeing, working with deprived communities, mostly young disabled people.
The pilot due to start this summer will take place in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry.
