Organisations come together for the Sussex Disability Sports Network Conference 2024

Organisations from around Sussex came together to look at how to support more disabled people to participate in sport and physical activity.

The Sussex Disability Sport Network Conference was the second event of its kind held by Active Sussex and took place at the University of Sussex on Tuesday, July 9.

Speakers included the Activity Alliance; Danielle Evans; East Sussex County Council’s Adult Social Care Learning Disability Service; Sussex Cricket; and UK Deaf Sport.

Gemma Finlay-Gray, organiser and Strategic Relationship Manager at Active Sussex, said: “The positivity from within the room – even when discussing challenges and difficult questions – and the openness and growth mindset partners had as we worked through the workshops, created an extremely safe, supportive, reflective and purposeful day. 

“I’m personally full of new insights and learning to reflect on and consider in my day-to-day work and personal life.”

In total, 60 people attended the event, ranging from organisations such as county councils and educational establishments to local sport organisations and leisure providers.

The conference was a chance for participants to listen and learn from disabled people about their experiences, and offer time for partners to network and connect.

Nicola File, the Strategic Partnerships Advisor from the Activity Alliance laid the scene for the conference, explaining that the Activity Alliance’s 5th Annual Disability and Activity Survey found disabled people are consistently twice as likely to be inactive compared to non-disabled people (20.7% vs 40.8%). 

According to the Active Lives survey, a significant ‘activity gap’ remains, with only four in ten (43%) disabled people feeling they have the opportunity to be as active as they want to be, compared to seven in ten (69%) non-disabled people. 

Less than half (44%) of disabled people say it is easy for them to physically access outdoor spaces (vs 78% of non-disabled people) while only 9% of disabled people agree they have the opportunity to become a coach or take on a role in delivering sport or physical activity (compared to 24% of non-disabled people).

The conference keynote speaker was Miss Hastings 2024 Danielle Evans, who started the TryMe Campaign #ClosingThatGap, which aims to break down stereotypes.

She spoke about how despite severe asthma, inflammatory lung issues, and cognitive brain development issues, she has not let her health conditions stand in her way of playing sport, in particular rugby.

She spoke about the importance of opening up conversations between participants and organisations – encouraging participants to be open about conditions and organisations to open up and not be afraid of making mistakes as long as they learn from them. 

She said: “The only way we can bring about change is to share.

“Not everyone will understand different disabilities and they do not.

“I would rather that somebody said ‘I am sorry, I made a mistake. It is just about being open and having that conversation – as long as you learn from it.”

Sarah Jenkins, from East Sussex County Council, spoke about the importance of collaboration between partners, and the need to encourage more movement and deliver activity within the learning disability service setting, as well as in the community.

She said: “We recognise there is an equal part to play for us as providers and health/vitality services to support individuals to live as fuller lives as possible without it being detrimental to their health and well-being. Therefore, a collaborative approach is essential.”

During the subsequent workshop, partners brainstormed how they could help adult social care encourage more physical activity with their users.

This included making sure activities were place-based, providing activities in multiple formats, taster sessions that lead to a follow-up offer to help build routine, and additional training for those within social care. 

Tom Belcher, Disability Cricket Manager at Sussex Cricket, spoke alongside two members from the Shark VI cricket team – Ian ‘Tiny’ Morris – Head of Services at Open Sight Hampshire, and Dan Field, Development Manager at Dallaglio RugbyWorks.

The trio explained what they offer at the Sussex Cricket Foundation and played a fun game about how you can’t trust what you see all the time.

They also shared some worrying statistics, stating that 75% of vision-impaired people are unemployed, while 40% will never do 60 days of work in their life.

They spoke about the importance of changing the culture within a team, and leading by example.

‘Tiny’ also emphasised the importance of changing the rhetoric, adding: “We are cricketers who happen to be blind, not blind people who want to play cricket.”

Leading the final session was Shannon Howarth, Partnerships Manager (Participation) from UK Deaf Sport. She was joined by Danny Hatcher who is a trampoline Coach and gymnast.

Shannnon used the workshop to share insight around hearing loss and highlight the focused work UK Deaf Sport are undertaking with Active Sussex to ensure that information about opportunities for the deaf community are readily available in a variety of spaces with a focus on upskilling the workforce.

Shannon then introduced Danny, who is half deaf, to share his lived experience as a participant and coach, along with some top tips. This supported delegates to discuss a range of scenarios and go away with increased awareness and confidence relating to communication needs for d/Deaf community. 

Delegates were asked to pledge what they would go away and do, with ten pledge cards being drawn to win a free place on the Deaf People’s Inclusion in Sport eLearning Course.

The workshops were then followed by more opportunities to network.

If you would like to find out more about the Sussex Disability Sports Network, please visit our page here or alternatively contact Gemma Finlay-Gray by emailing gfinlay-gray@activesussex.org