Disability Sport Wales has awarded the insport development silver standard to Ceredigion County Council; one of eight local authorities in Wales to have gained this achievement.
The award recognises the council’s inclusive approach to sport and leisure. The aim of each insport programmes is to facilitate and deliver cultural change in attitude, approach and provision of physical activity (including sport) and wider opportunities for disabled people.
Disability Sport Wales stated, “The content and context of what is delivered, and the passion, commitment and transparent approach to inclusion was showcased consistently in all elements of delivery.” The panel of judges also noted that there was a ‘rich inclusive philosophy that was clearly shared across the whole team.’
Leader of the Council and Members’ Champion for both Equalities and Diversity, Ellen ap Gwynn was presented with the award during the recent Ceredigion Sports Awards. Councillor ap Gwynn said, “We are very pleased to have received the silver insport award in recognition of our ongoing commitment in providing inclusive sporting opportunities to everyone in Ceredigion. We will continue to embed the inclusive culture within all our council services. Ceredigion County Council is dedicated in ensuring that our residents can take part in activities and opportunities of their choice. It’s vital that our services work in partnership to develop a sustainable and long-lasting inclusive ethos; insport is key to making this happen.”
The insport programme comprises four incremental standards (ribbon, bronze, silver and gold), against which a set of criteria must be met.
Gemma Cutter, Development Officer, led the team towards gaining silver. She said, “insport is a programme that has enabled the team to respond and critically reflect on how inclusive their delivery is. Being inclusive should be everyone’s responsibility and insport has given us a critical framework to step in the right direction, away from a single source of expertise - to a whole team approach which will enable a more sustainable inclusive ethos.”
The council is now continuing its journey to the gold standard through building on strategic relationships, across internal and external partnerships and the wider community ensuring that there is a meaningful physical activity offer available to all Ceredigion residents.
Visit www.ceredigionactif.org.uk or follow @ceredigionactif on Facebook or Twitter for more information on how you could benefit from opportunities to keep fit across Ceredigion.
09/07/2019