Blueprint for community engagement changed forever

Community Integrated Care has partnered with Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021), and Sport England to create a world-first inclusive volunteering programme that provides life-changing mentoring, vocational and learning opportunities through major events, for people who require care and support.

Delivered through the Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021), and Sport England, their official social care partnership of this international sporting event is enabling over 300 people to live their out dreams, be at the heart of their communities, challenge societal misconceptions and promote inclusion at scale. The programme sees the charity create personalised development opportunities for people identified as experiencing significant exclusion when it comes to traditional volunteering. By uniquely engaging people across social care (including people with profound learning disabilities, autism, mental health concerns, acquired brain injuries and dementia) at all stages of life, from children to the elderly – this is truly breaking down barriers, instilling the belief that every person deserves to, and can contribute meaningfully, sharing their talents with the world.

Projects inspired by the tournament are purposely designed to enhance the talents of volunteers, build confidence levels and encourage social connections. Volunteers can then apply their newfound skills across a variety of creative roles at sports fixtures prior to and during the tournament, which is fast becoming one of the most socially inclusive sporting events in history. Through an independent evaluation report, it demonstrates that inclusive volunteering is at the heart of a £25m social impact generated by the tournament – changing lives at scale.

With over 5,000 hours volunteered, the standardised blueprint for community engagement at major events has changed forever, as volunteers continue to challenge the status quo of expectation for people who access care and support, with unprecedented successes including:

• Rap masterclasses enabling a 10-year-old aspiring rapper who has autism to create a World Cup song with a hitmaker producer
• Photography clubs having photos published in local galleries
• Construction and maintenance of an accessible community hospital garden
• Quality advisors with lived experiences of having a learning disability advising tournament organisers on ways to make the events more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for all, and to consider sensory adaptations
• Tackling disability hate crime with police forces and delivering anti-discrimination school assemblies to educate tens of thousands of children
• Engaging the talents of people living with dementia
• Media clubs that see people work alongside sports stars and secure matchday placements
• Knitters donating hundreds of bonnets for premature babies to specialist NHS units
• Public speaking at media events alongside the Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport

With specialised ongoing mentoring, many have achieved unimaginable successes through the pathways being established, including qualifications, paid work, and lasting placements with professional Rugby League clubs. An estimated 90% of participants are enjoying volunteering or work opportunities for the first time. People are achieving their greatest dreams.

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