A WORCESTER leisure centre has been recognised for its work in promoting social inclusion.
Perdiswell Leisure Centre has been awarded the prestigious Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) mark for its disabled friendly facilities, making it the only facility in the city to be accredited.
The Bilford Road centre, operated by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Worcester City Council, was given the recognition by the English Federation of Disability Sport, which is designed to offer disabled people more choice and opportunities to enjoy the benefits of physical activity.
The centre, one of only 56 in the UK to be given IFI recognition, offers extensive disabled parking, wheelchair access, braille signage, additional accessible changing rooms, inclusive swimming sessions and a gym offering specialist equipment for wheelchair users and those with visual impairments.
Rob Tyler, Freedom Leisure Centre manager, said: “We’re over the moon to have been formally IFI accredited. I’d very much like to take the opportunity to thank our team for their huge concerted effort to help the centre become a great place for all.
“This accreditation is awarded for three years only, so we’re already thinking about how we can develop further so we can maintain it and perhaps even improve on our current score.”
Coun Mike Johnson, chair of Worcester City Council’s communities committee, said: “I’m delighted that our efforts, and the on-going work of Freedom Leisure, has been recognised.
“It’s our ambition for Worcester to become a beacon for accessible and inclusive sports, and Worcester City Council’s revamp of Perdiswell Leisure Centre was always planned with accessibility in mind.”
Visit www.freedom-leisure.co.uk for more information.
