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Gloucestershire Active Inclusion Network Relaunched

Gloucestershire Active Inclusion Network (GAIN) was successfully re-launched on 10 October. The network brought together 46 individuals from a 30 diverse organisations who are all involved in sport and exercise opportunities for disabled people in Gloucestershire, and was hosted by Gloucestershire Deaf Association. Speakers on the day included Aidan Lucas from the Barnwood Trust, Mark Fosbrook from the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), Claire Waters and Gail Mattocks from Gloucestershire Community Foundation and Reg Cobb from Gloucestershire Deaf Association.

As well as providing information on local funding opportunities the event enabled sports organisations, charities, health professionals, schools and facility providers to effectively network and to establish working relationships that could open up new and exciting opportunities for disabled people to take part in sport and leisure opportunities.

Sports organisations that attended included cricket, archery, sailing, boccia, dance and football, all of which are actively working to include more disabled people in the county. They were able to link on the day with organisations which were actively seeking opportunities. Eric Woodmason from Frocester cricket club said:

"This was a very useful event. I made lots of contacts and have gained lots of ideas for future projects and delivery."

GAIN is currently led by Active Gloucestershire and there are plans for the regular meetings to take place every four to six months. It is hoped that a smaller more strategic GAIN group will also be formed to compliment the larger network meetings, which will help drive forward opportunities within the county.

"This was a great opportunity to connect together and to become more aware of the issues relating to sport and how we can best work together" (Aidan Lucas, Barnwood Trust)

In July, EFDS announced our focus County Sports Partnerships (CSPs). Our dedicated Engagement Officers will work with the chosen nine across England so they can receive more concentrated support to increase disabled people’s participation at a local level. Active Gloucestershire was one of those chosen CSPs and Mark Fosbrook is the Engagement Officer supporting their work.

If you are interested in attending the next GAIN meeting please feel free to contact Rowland Clark, principal sports development officer by email.

Learn more about Active Gloucestershire's work and their programmes.