19 February 2009: Health and fitness organisations within the National Skills Academy network will now be able to take advantage of funded IFI Mark accreditation through the National Sports Foundation (NSF). The funding will provide support and training to existing Centres of Excellence and Academy Providers that have fitness suites used to help health and fitness training courses accreditation by the Skills Academy.
The support package provided to facilities committed to achieving accreditation includes: a Mark assessment and IFI Action Plan; disability equality training for all staff; specialist training for fitness instructors in exercise for disabled people at levels 2 and 3; advice on equipment purchase and marketing support. In addition, the Skills Academy and Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) have partnered to increase the number of disabled people that are both training to become fitness instructors and working within the leisure sector.
Florence Orban, interim CEO at the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure, says:
“This is a great opportunity for facilities in the health and fitness sector. Not only will applicants benefit from a range of funded services and staff training, they will also be able to share best practise regarding the inclusion of disabled people in physical activity. Now is the time to play a part in meeting the Government’s agenda to increase the employment of disabled people—becoming part of the National Skills Academy network can help achieve this.”
The IFI has been working to provide better access to fitness facilities for disabled people for over six years. It has supported over 300 fitness suites across England through its quality assurance tool, the Inclusive Fitness Mark (IFI Mark), which demonstrates to disabled people that facilities have considered their needs and that they will receive a good level of service provision.
Sue Catton, IFI National Director comments:
“Fitness professionals are key to providing welcoming, safe and appropriate programmes that meet the needs of disabled people in the gym environment. We are delighted to be partnering with the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure, its accredited Centres of Excellence and Academy Providers to create an inclusive training environment and culture for the delivery of training courses across the health and fitness sector. This association will also support the sharing of inclusive best practise in the sector and ultimately increase the number of disabled people participating in physical activity.”
The NSF funded programme has a limited capacity for 200 facilities so an early response is recommended. To apply or for more information contact Marie Hepburn at the IFI office on 0114 257 2051 or emailing marie@inclusivefitness.org