Access Sport in partnership with Southwark Council, London Sport, Disability Sports Coach and London South Bank University (LSBU) collectively chair the Southwark Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity Network (SISPAN).

SISPAN includes other like-minded organisations who support and deliver inclusive sport and physical activity for D/deaf and disabled people in Southwark. The Network’s vision is that all D/deaf and disabled people in the borough are more physically active in their everyday lives.

The Covid-19 pandemic has left disabled people feeling forgotten and more isolated than ever before. Disabled people have reported the pandemic has made them feel lonelier (45%) and that many have experienced a decline in their mental health (41%).

SISPAN was successful in receiving London Together Funding from Comic Relief and the Mayor’s Fund and are currently delivering the Active Together project empowering D/deaf and disabled adults in Southwark to try new sports, meet others and improve their mental wellbeing following the impact of the pandemic.

On Saturday 2^nd April, SISPAN hosted their first pan-disability inclusive sports festival at Surrey Docks Watersports and Fitness Centre. Volunteer-led sports clubs hosted sailing, fencing, boxing, football, yoga and dodgeball. Everyone Active also delivered paddle boarding. Individuals from across the borough and surrounding areas attended with their friends and family, trying new sports and learning new skills. For many of the individuals, this was their first experience trying activities such as sailing and fencing.

 

‘I wanted to say thank you so much for the super morning we had at the Active Together Festival. Everyone was so kind and supportive with Henry, as you may recall my little boy at first was very reluctant to take part in any sporting activity. But with patience and reassurance from the team Henry chose to have a go at sailing…….he absolutely loved it. We are hoping Henry will try some more sailing lessons’
- Wendy, Parent

 

SISPAN are looking forward to delivering more of these events, whilst continuing to develop a coordinated and cohesive network of disability inclusive community organisations and sports clubs across Southwark.

‘The Active Together Festival was a truly collaborative effort between lead disability inclusive organisations in Southwark. The event was a fantastic way to bring people together whilst celebrating physical activity and promoting the breadth of inclusive opportunities on offer’
- Sophie Epsley, Access Sport Development Manager (Disability and Volunteering) 

 

For more information about inclusive activities taking place in Southwark, please visit the Disability Inclusion homepage, email [email protected] or call 020 7993 9883.

SISPAN Partners: