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Sencio wins community inclusion award
Sencio Community Leisure (SCL) has won the Lloyds TSB Sevenoaks District Inclusion Award for its work bringing a broad range of sports and physical activities to people with learning disabilities.
The award, organised by the Sevenoaks District Partnership Group, recognises SCL's "work throughout the year towards the achievement of an inclusive community for all" and also cites SCL's other projects engaging with those with physical disabilities, the elderly and young people.
The appointment of Becky Bowen as SCL's first disability access officer at the start of this year has enabled the organisation to develop its community and outreach work. This has resulted in a number of programmes designed to ensure as wide a participation in exercise and physical pursuits as possible across the Sevenoaks district.
Projects have included the Inclusive Fitness Initiative at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre designed to improve the physical elements of the building to aid access, training of staff in disability awareness, new parking and emergency evacuation policies.
SCL has also organised a family open day in conjunction with Valence School to showcase various specialist and adapted sports, launched a Friday evening fun club for children with disabilities, their siblings, parents and carers, and secured significant funding through Kent County Council for the improvement of existing, and installation of new, facilities for those with disabilities at Edenbridge Leisure Centre.
Commenting on the award, Adam Perry, SCL's community development director, said: "This is wonderful recognition of Sencio Community Leisure's work over the past 12 months. But it is also important to stress that we couldn't have done this without the help, support and funding provided by the numerous partners who help us strive to ensure that everyone has access to sport, exercise and physical activity in line with their individual needs.
"The challenge now is to build on all this marvellous work and further increase participation by all sections of our community."