By David Ashton-Jones, Chief Executive of Homes Together
There’s a reason for the old saying about levelling the playing field. If there’s one activity that’s open to everyone, its sport.
Individually, in pairs, or in teams; at a high level or just getting out and about; as a player or as a fan. Sports events and activities are a great opportunity to boost physical and mental wellbeing, as well as an important social occasion.
As care providers, we know that’s especially important for our disabled service users. For as long as people have been getting together to play games, or pushing themselves to a personal best, sport has been an essential way to bring down barriers and smash stereotypes. Today, the popularity of events like the Paralympics makes it clear that sport has more than enough room for every kind of ability.
Sport is open to anyone, and good for everyone
There are no barriers of race, gender, culture, sexuality, or religion. And if you offer a wide range of options and focus on accessibility, there’s no need for disability to pose a problem either. In fact, given how often disabled people can be excluded in everyday life, it’s even more important that all our service users can improve their health and wellbeing through sports events and activities.
There’s plenty of evidence to show that exercise is just as – if not more – beneficial for disabled people. That’s especially true if they have limited mobility. Staying active reduces the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stress and depression. It also boosts self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy levels.
Building inclusive sports environments matters
Creating opportunities for disabled people to take part in sport and build skills, confidence, and independence is great for individuals. It also helps tackle stigma, break down stereotypes, and bring people closer together. That extends to families, coaches, administrators, and spectators.
Sport naturally encourages collaboration and is an exceptional community-building activity. So many friendships start with sport, and with it a sense of being on the same side: a team that has each other’s backs. It’s the bedrock of understanding, empathy, and acceptance.
Inclusion isn’t an invitation – it’s an action
It’s not enough to simply tell people they can take part. We must create accessible spaces where people feel they truly belong. Where they don’t feel like asking for what they need is a problem. And where it’s expected that they’re as welcome as everyone else.
Creating an accessible space could include specialised training for coaches; installing ramps, lifts, and adaptive sports equipment; and creating sensory-friendly areas for neurodivergent service users. But inclusion starts before any of those changes. It means making sure disabled people are at the centre of conversations and decision-making about increasing opportunities and access to sport.
At Home Together, there’s always a chance to get involved
A lot of our service users are big fans of watching sport, and we encourage them to take part in a wide range of physical activities. Our teams are always behind them, helping and encouraging everyone to get moving. Every site has a packed calendar of activities all year round that introduces new activities and promotes a healthy lifestyle.
Swimming is also very popular, particularly the specialised classes at our local swimming club. The club has a squad that specifically supports children and young adults with either physical or learning impairments. It’s also a great low-impact full-body workout anyone can do at their own pace. Floating in the water takes some pressure off the joints, so it’s often a great choice for people with limited mobility.
Through our own experience, we know how important it is to work with specialised organisations that make sports accessible. So, we also sponsor some of the organisations we work with who make having a more active life possible for our service users. It’s important to us to make sure they’re around for years to come for anyone that needs them.
Sport has an extraordinary way of uniting people
It’s there in the connections we make, and the confidence we build. By making sports properly inclusive and accessible we not only create opportunities for health and happiness, but support communities built on understanding and respect.
Everyone deserves the chance to experience the joy of belonging, and through sport, we can keep opening doors for people to thrive – and to feel seen, valued, and included.
About Homes Together
Homes Together ensures its properties are a place for disabled people to call home. Each of its sensitively adapted residential houses offers a safe, comfortable and stimulating environment in which they can thrive. In 2020 the group introduced additional residential homes, formerly operated by the charity Henshaws, to Homes Together. Homes Together now has eleven homes in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon and one in Gateshead, managed across the three divisions, Lilford, Bedford, and Pennington.
