We Team Up With World Gymnastics Championships

We’ve teamed up with The World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022 and Sport England to deliver a life-changing inclusive volunteering programme.

We are delighted to announce that this pioneering programme will see more than 100 people who require support in their daily lives in the Liverpool City Region enjoy personal development and mentoring opportunities inspired by the event, delivered by our charity’s specialist team.

With every person accessing programmes that are built around their individual goals and needs, the project is building skills, friendships and opportunities that will last far beyond the tournament.

From an accessible employability club inspired by the working routines of gymnasts participating in the tournament, to a special photography club with Open Eye Gallery that sees people visit Liverpool’s iconic places to build independent living and creativity skills, this offers a uniquely innovative way of promoting inclusion and opportunity.

Our charity has pioneered inclusive volunteering opportunities across a range of sporting environments, with the support of Sport England. Named as the ‘Best Community Scheme’ at the Sport Business Awards and Care Innovation of the Year at the Great British Care Awards, this programme has been praised for its impact and innovation.

John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities at Community Integrated Care, says: “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.

“Our thanks go to our partners at the tournament and Sport England, for their vision in helping us to making this project a reality.  We are also grateful to Community Integrated Care’s dedicated support teams, the people we support and their loved ones, who are working so hard to make a difference with this wonderful event.”

Stuart Campbell, Chief Operating Officer at the World Gymnastics Championships 2022, Liverpool, says: “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.”

Kelly-Louise Birchall, Service Leader at Community Integrated Care says: “It is so exciting for the people we support to have the opportunity to develop and share their skills at such a prestigious event. We have already enjoyed wonderful opportunities, including being part of a Sensory Soap making class, where we are creating gifts for the visiting athletes.  To watch someone’s confidence grow through this programme is why I do my job.’’

Michelle Coulter, a person we support in Runcorn, says: ‘’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.’’