Telford & Wrekin Council bridges the fitness gap for residents with disabilities
Telford & Wrekin Council has successfully implemented a pioneering initiative to help more residents with disabilities and those with long-term health conditions become physically active in ways that work for them.
The 'Get Yourself Active Local' project, delivered in partnership with Disability Rights UK, Energize Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Shropshire Council and voluntary sector organisations, addresses a critical need: disabled people are twice as likely to be physically inactive, yet stand to benefit the most from regular movement.
With 20.5% of Telford and Wrekin residents identifying as disabled, the Council recognised that a collaborative, system-wide approach was essential to create lasting change.
The project has delivered specialist training to 246 professionals across the Borough, including social workers, care assistants and occupational therapists. The innovative 'Moving Social Work' programme, developed by Durham University, equips professionals to embed conversations about physical activity into everyday care assessments and support.
Councillor Paul Watling, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: "This project represents a fundamental shift in how we support our residents with disabilities. By training our workforce to have meaningful conversations about movement and activity, we're ensuring that physical wellbeing becomes a natural part of the support we provide."
A significant milestone has been achieved with the inclusion of movement-related questions in Telford & Wrekin Council's social care assessment system, ensuring that every person receiving support is asked about their physical activity and offered appropriate guidance.
Additional training has reached 30 social care workers and 15 physical activity providers, focusing on co-production and inclusive practice.
Nearly 800 residents have responded to a comprehensive survey exploring experiences of sport and physical activity. This valuable data will directly inform future improvements to local opportunities and ensure services better meet the needs of disabled people and those with long-term health conditions.
The partnership steering group, which includes people with lived experience of disability, continues to meet regularly to maintain progress and shape future initiatives. Disability Rights UK is also creating recorded versions of the training to reach even wider audiences.
Sarah Leadbetter, Project Lead at Disability Rights UK, said: "The collaboration between Telford & Wrekin Council, Shropshire Council, Energize STW and local organisations demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together. This isn't just about training – it's about transforming systems and culture to make physical activity accessible and inclusive for everyone."
Michelle Pullen, Programme Manager for Communities, Health, and Social Care at Energize Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, added: "By embedding these conversations into social care practice and working alongside people with lived experience, we're creating sustainable change that will benefit our communities for years to come."
The project is currently undergoing independent evaluation to examine its implementation, effectiveness and overall impact.
