IFI The Challenges, Practicalities and Rewards

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IFI The Challenges, Practicalities and Rewards

• Antony Angus Helen Purdy
• Grove Leisure Centre
• Newark Sherwood District Council

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Who are we?

• Antony Angus Manager Grove LC
• Helen Purdy Community Physical Activity Officer
  (Disability)

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Aim of the session -

• Introduce Grove LC
• Rationale for engaging IFI
• Discuss the processes involved
• Explain some of the challenges encountered
• Discuss the rewards and benefits

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Grove Leisure Centre

• Balderton, Newark Upon Trent
• Opened Circa 1970
• Joint Use Facility
• 75 Station Adult Fitness Suite
• 23 Station Youth Fitness Suite (8 15 Yrs)
• Launched both Adult and Youth Fitness Suites as
  IFI accredited December 2004

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Why IFI?

• Disability Discrimination Act
• Remove barriers to participation
• Increase participation (and income)
• Get the badge
• Enhance existing GP referral scheme
• Partnership work funding

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Barriers to change

• Ageing facility
• Capital Funding
• Match funding for scheme
• Awareness of IFI

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The Process

• Apply for the scheme (the dreaded forms)
• Form an initial working group
• Integrate with existing plans (DDA works)
• Gain initial acceptance on the scheme

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The Process Cont

• Site Access Audit Action Plan
• Level 1 Training to all staff (EFDS)
• Level 2 Training to Instructors
• Equipment (new and retrofit)
• Recruitment of Inclusive Activator
• Marketing Plan Action
• Launch

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Access

• Car Park Increased disabled bays
• Entrance Installed automatic doors
• Internal doors Held open where practical,
  resistance measured where not.
• Contrast and lighting levels
• Lockers height, raised numbers
• Changing facilities
• Chairs in Reception

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Equipment

• Equipment (but not supplier) specified by IFI
• Limited supplier range (at the time)
• Varying degrees of cooperation
• Some existing equipment retrofitted
• Had to reallocate some existing equipment to
  ensure access
• Vibration Plates popular with users

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Training

• Level 1 All Centre Staff (EFDS)
• Awareness
• Remove fear of getting it wrong
• Practical approach
• Level 2 Fitness Instructors (YMCA)
• Practical skills for assisting Fitness Users
• Inclusive Culture

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Inclusive Activator

• Post commenced in January 2005
• 25 hours a week part funded by IFI and BLF
• Inclusive Activator role was absorbed within the
  post CPAO as synergy in both roles
• Development Plan written for the post
• Marketing Strategy written for IFI to identify
  future work programme

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Inclusive Activator cont

• Identified target groups
• Delivered presentations to target groups
• Contacted local surgeries
• Established a development forum
• Shared good practice

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Case Studies
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Case Study 1 - Jason

• Gained awareness via IFI website
• Wheelchair user for 13 years
• British Water Skier
• Uses Fitness Suite off season to train
• Uses Fitness Suite 4 x week with 2 different
  programmes

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Case Study 2 - Colin

• Former Minor
• Wheelchair User
• Uses Fitness Suite 4 x week
• Improved lifestyle through enhanced fitness
• Recruited wife into exercise

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Case Study 3 - Brenda

• Respiratory disease
• Exercises 3 times a week
• Lifestyle change through exercise
• Manages condition through exercise

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Results

• 17.5 of all new GLC users have a disability
• Average of 227 disabled visits a month
• Average of 18 new disabled users each month
• 11 of new users stated they were attracted by
  the IFI marketing

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Results Cont

• Increased participation with individuals, groups
  and introduced specialist groups
• Increased awareness of IFI within Newark and
  Sherwood District
• Raised awareness in community groups/centres of
  the benefits of exercising and leading a healthy
  lifestyle
• Due to high level of staff training, staff are
  now able to deal with a diverse range of
  conditions

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The Future

• Introduce Stroke rehabilitation class
• Collaboration with Mental Health Team
• Achieve Excellent in IFI Mark at GLC
• IFI Mark at all Sites in our group

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Thank you for listening

• Any Questions?