Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) London

The London Development Agency (LDA) has awarded a four year grant to London Sports Forum for Disabled People to project manage Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) London.

IFI London, a unique partnership between the LDA, London Sports Forum for Disabled People and the national Inclusive Fitness Initiative will support a further 150 fitness facilities across the capital to achieve the IFI Mark accreditation, ensuring that they are accessible to and inclusive of disabled people.

The IFI Mark is the nationally recognised standard of inclusion within the fitness industry, awarded to fitness facilities that are inclusive of disabled and non-disabled people. The accreditation process involves the creation of accessible facilities to meet current best practice and legislation, and the provision of inclusive fitness equipment within the facilities. This is accompanied by the training of staff throughout the facility, providing disabled people with a safe, effective and value for money experience and the implementation of inclusive marketing strategies to ensure that disabled people are aware of the opportunities available. To date there are 25 IFI Mark accredited facilities in London catering for all impairments and providing a quality experience for disabled people.

David Croisdale-Appleby, Chair of the Inclusive Fitness Initiative commented "This is a new and very exciting partnership, it is the first regional project of its kind and the IFI are looking forward to working closely with London Sports Forum for Disabled People and the London Development Agency. This is a significant development for the IFI and provides another major step towards achieving one thousand inclusive fitness facilities throughout the UK by 2012.”

The LDA’s four year funding commitment will enable IFI London to build on the current foundations and expand provision across the capital. By increasing the number of IFI Mark accredited fitness facilities in London, this project will create more opportunities for disabled people to participate in physical activity and in addition, capture the true inclusive nature of London in the run up to and post the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Alex Gibbons, Project Manager of IFI London said “IFI London is a fantastic project to provide more opportunities for disabled people across the capital. We will work with London based facilities, and partners on both a regional and national level to increase the number of IFI Mark accredited fitness facilities in London. IFI London will promote and embed a fully inclusive environment for disabled people in London.”

                                                                        

If you are a fitness facility based in London and want to find out how you can get involved in IFI London and get IFI Mark accredited please contact:

Project Manager - Alex Gibbons alexgibbons@londonsportsforum.org.uk

Project Officer - Gideon Feldman gideon@londonsportsforum.org.uk

Notes to editor

Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) London

Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) London is a four year project supporting 150 fitness facilities across Greater London to achieve IFI Mark Accreditation, therefore ensuring that they are accessible to and inclusive of disabled people. It is a unique partnership between London Sports Forum for Disabled People, the London Development Agency (LDA) and the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI). By the end of the project in 2013 it is anticipated that at least 20% of the fitness facilities in London will have been supported to make necessary enhancements and to ensure disabled people can be effectively integrated into their services.

www.londonsportsforum.org.uk/inclusive_active.php

Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI)

Since 2001, the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) has been supporting the leisure and fitness industry to become more inclusive by both promoting and providing better access to fitness facilities for disabled and non-disabled people. The IFI is responsible for the development of the nationally recognised IFI Mark Accreditation.

www.inclusivefitness.org

London Sports Forum for Disabled People

London Sports Forum for Disabled People is the lead strategic development agency for sport and physical activity for disabled people in London. Their core role is to ensure that providers and policy makers understand and act upon their responsibility to be inclusive of disabled people. The organisation ensures equality and inclusion is at the heart of grass root sport provision in London.

www.londonsportsforum.org.uk

London Development Agency (LDA)

The London Development Agency (LDA) works to improve the quality of life for all Londoners by driving sustainable economic growth and keeping the capital competitive. Its role is to bring together the right people, skills and resources to deliver real results in the long term, responding to the needs and ambitions of communities and businesses. The LDA invests more than £400 million a year to create jobs and develop healthy, sustainable communities. It also supports London as a financial, educational and research centre. It tackles the barriers to employment for certain groups, encourages business and cultural activities and improves infrastructure and the environment. The LDA takes on major projects and difficult issues and is constantly looking for fresh ways of doing things and better ways of achieving sustainable growth. In this way the LDA ensures all Londoners can gain from and contribute to London’s economic success.

www.lda.gov.uk