With the launch of Inclusive Fitness Week, comes the launch of two facilities across the UK as IFI Accredited Facilities. Lakeland Forum in Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland and Oaklands Sports Centre in York have achieved Registered Level of the IFI Mark.
The IFI Mark accreditation allows leisure facilities to develop and increase their inclusive standards & provision. It has huge relevance to both disabled and non-disabled customers in demonstrating that facilities have considered their needs. The IFI Mark offers constructive advice and consultancy across five key areas, fundamental to offering a truly inclusive provision:
· Facility Accessibility
· Fitness Equipment Specification
· Staff Training
· Marketing
· Policies and Procedures
The accreditation process provides facilities with full guidance and support relating to making the entire facility more inclusive, and facilities can demonstrate that they meet the IFI Mark standards and become accredited as an IFI Mark facility for a period of 2 years.
Paul Bickle, Centre Manager of Oaklands Sports Centre comments:
“My inspiration came from attending the IFI National Conference in December 2006, which directed my work on making my facility inclusive and accessible for all customers. I set myself a target of achieving the Inclusive Fitness Mark.
The results of working towards the IFI mark has included the setting up of the Oaklands Sports and Disability Social Club, Inclusive fitness sessions in the gym and greater understanding by staff of what inclusive means and why it matters. Furthermore, we have seen increased activities and users, especially at off-peak times, internal teamwork including a sense of achievement and motivation with external award and recognition.
Our next step is to maintain our Registered Level status and work towards the Excellent Level which would bring the benefit of further training and the ability to become inclusive. In terms of our sports facilities, the aim will be to use the Inclusive Fitness Mark as a benchmark tool to develop further facilities at Oaklands.
Our philosophy will and must always remain that we are a community facility which is accessible to all”.
If you would like further information on the Inclusive Fitness Mark, please contact the IFI office on 0114 257 2060 (textphone users add prefix 18001 to access BT Typetalk), email info@inclusivefitness.org or visit our website www.inclusivefitness.org
