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Inclusive volunteers smiling at WGC Inclusive Volunteering event

World Gymnastics Championships Inclusive Volunteering®

Community Integrated Care partnered with the World Gymnastics Championships 2022 and Sport England to create a world first, Inclusive Volunteering® Programme, that enabled more than 100 people who access care and support to develop new skills, confidence and passions through personal development projects and access to live event opportunities.

Working with people who have a range of disabilities, purposely designed projects brought hope and excitement to many lives and are set to have a legacy beyond the tournament through its focus on exploring the individual’s goals and needs.

From an ‘accessible employability club’ inspired by the working routines of gymnast, to an ‘adapted photography club’ (in partnership with leading photographic arts organisation, Open Eye Gallery) that sees people visit Liverpool’s iconic landmarks to build independent living and creativity skills, this offers a uniquely innovative way of promoting inclusion and opportunity.

Uniquely impactful and innovative

With the nurturing support of Sam Batley, our expert tutor from Open Eye, our photography group created powerful images that bring to life their views and experiences. Check out our Tour of Liverpool, as the group explore their photo-taking skills gained through the programme.

Proving major events can include people with complex needs

With every participant in the Inclusive Volunteering® programme having access to a special opportunity designed around their own personal goals and interests and having the chance to apply their new skills by volunteering at the Championships, it provided a unique platform to enable people who access social care to build independence and aspirations for the future.

Stunning photographs taken by the Photography Group were gifted as presents to visiting gymnasts as postcards and featured in a showcase exhibition at the World Gymnastics Championships Fan Zone – inclusive opportunities for people to showcase their talents on the biggest stages.

Inclusive volunteer posing with photography created through the inclusive volunteering programme

Growing in confidence and independence

Working with people who have a range of disabilities, purposely designed projects brought hope and excitement to many lives and are set to have a legacy beyond the tournament through its focus on exploring the individual’s goals and needs.

We are delighted to be working with Community Integrated Care, a National Charity with roots local to Liverpool. We are really proud that we can provide such a great inclusive opportunity within our team, and we cannot wait to welcome the volunteers to our world of gymnastics.

Stuart Campbell, Chief Operating Officer at the World Gymnastics Championships 2022

We are honoured to have the opportunity to extend our Inclusive Volunteering® programme with one of the world’s most respected international events – The World Gymnastics Championships. We have already seen the impact of this programme on the lives of the people we support, who are excitedly preparing for this incredible event.

John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities at Community Integrated Care

’Volunteering at the World Gymnastics Championships will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I cannot wait to be part of it. I’m grateful for the opportunities that have been given to me, I’ve really enjoyed getting involved in the community and interacting with different people as part of the Inclusive Volunteering® Programme..

Michelle Coulter, a person we support in Runcorn

It’s been great to see the volunteers grow in their confidence as they learn more skills and share their photographs and experiences with other people. Every photograph tells a powerful story, but it’s the stories behind the lens that have the greatest impact.

Nuria Rovira Terradas, Assistant Creative Producer at Open Eye Gallery

In partnership with:

World Gymnastics Championships

Liverpool 2022

Sport England

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Our World Gymnastics Championships Photography Club programme has been generously funded by Liverpool & Sefton Health Partnership (LSHP) who provide exceptional property solutions in healthcare – including many in the heart of Liverpool. Community Integrated Care thanks them for investing in the project and generously providing space at Kensington Health Neighbourhood Centre for the Photography Groups.

People. Passion. Potential.