Shortlisted as Helpforce Champions!

Community Integrated Care is proud to have been shortlisted at the Helpforce Champions Awards 2022 for our ground-breaking partnership with the Rugby League World Cup 2021.

Celebrating volunteers in health and social care, the Helpforce Champions Awards specially honour individuals who have tried something new, brought about positive changes, and set new levels of excellence.

Reflecting this, our charity’s Inclusive Volunteering Programme has been shortlisted for the Breaking Down Barriers accolade – an award to recognise volunteering which crosses organisational and sector boundaries.

In partnership with the Rugby League World Cup 2021 and Sport England, our Inclusive Volunteering Programme supports over 300 individuals with care and support needs to live out their dreams, challenge societal misconceptions, and volunteer at massive Rugby League events.

From volunteers advising tournament organisers how they can make their events accessible to all, to enabling a 10-year-old aspiring rapper who has autism to create a song with a hit-making producer, Inclusive Volunteering continues to break down barriers and create life-changing experiences for all those involved.

Community Integrated Care’s Director of Partnerships and Communities, John Hughes, said, “Whether it be matchday media placements or tackling disability hate crime through educational school assemblies, there is no doubt that the Inclusive Volunteering Programme is overcoming obstacles – even enabling participants to gain qualifications and paid work.”

He continued, “Our thanks go to our fantastic partners, Rugby League World Cup 2021 and Sport England, who have facilitated such incredible experiences. It’s thanks to our collaboration that we’ve been able to make the programme such a success, and we couldn’t be prouder to have been shortlisted for this award.”

Matt Price, Sports Inclusion Assistant and volunteer within the programme, said, “Since becoming an Inclusive Volunteer, I’ve enjoyed so many amazing opportunities! Through the programme, I discovered my passion for photography and got to work alongside the England Rugby League media team to capture content. Plus, I’ve interviewed Super League coaches at official press conferences – something I never would have dreamed of before! It’s brilliant to hear that the programme has been shortlisted for this award, and I can’t wait to see where Inclusive Volunteering takes me next.”

Winners will be announced this week in London, at the Royal Airforce Club on Friday 4th November.