164 | UK Enterprise Awards 2023 Apr23198 Most Inclusive Sports Coaching 2023 - Kent Inclusive Sport works to ensure that all people are able to engage in physical activity regardless of their background, ability, or needs, in order to help enhance and transform lives. We find out more from Tom Tsangarides as the organisation is successful in the UK Enterprise Awards 2023. Inclusive Sport is an organisation that exists to provide all different types of people with opportunities to take part in sport, with the intention to ensure all people are able to do so. Working with a range of different ages and demographics across Kent, focusing mainly on the Whitstable, Canterbury, Herne Bay, and Thanet areas, the dedicated team propels itself towards its goals by approaching different community groups, offering new sessions in new areas, where there is a demand for what it does. “Our core values are to show compassion, be inspirational, and provide belongingness,” explains Tom Tsangarides, the firm’s Founder and Managing Director. “We ensure we stay true to these values in order to succeed in our specific area of expertise by employing a certain type of person who is capable and willing to demonstrate these values all the time in the sessions they deliver. This is difficult to do and not for everyone, so our Inclusive Sport Team are so good at what they do because they care deeply which impacts the lives of the people we work with, creating lasting memories.” Tom’s education journey began as a primary school teacher with a passion for PE and sport. He was appointed PE subject leader and loved supporting children with special educational needs. It was during this time that Tom founded Inclusive Sport, with the main objective being to provide children with an environment to enjoy sport and physical activity and be accepted for who they are. There are recent trends emerging in the industry that Tom has noticed over the last few years, not least the increased demand from lots of different groups for the sessions that Inclusive Sport provides. Tom has also seen people becoming more willing to travel long distances to engage with some of his sessions, for example limited mobility tennis, which don’t happen everywhere. Aside from that, the cost-of-living crisis is impacting individuals and families in the local community. During the school holidays, we run HAF (Holiday, Activities, and Food) programmes for children who are entitled to free school meals. These four hour-a-day, four-day-a-week sessions provide children with a free lunch and physical activity, and Tom tells us that they are busier than ever. With regards to his team, Tom looks for people who exude the organisation’s values. “This is of paramount importance to us as the way in which we engage with our community and deliver sessions is very much at the heart of who we are, and it takes a certain type of person to fit into that,” he explains. “We are currently supporting two staff through apprenticeships and ensure all staff are supported in their roles with weekly team meetings.” Tom is committed to supporting his team and the business’ customers, guaranteeing equality, equity, and respect for all while doing so. Recently, in recognition of Tom and the team’s dedication, Inclusive Sport was successful in the UK Enterprise Awards 2023 and earned itself the prestigious title of Most Inclusive Sports Coaching 2023 – Kent. Regarding the future, Tom is always looking to expand and broaden his offering so that he can continue to reach as many people as possible and enrich their lives. Contact: Tom Tsangarides Company: Inclusive Sport Web Address: www.inclusivesport.net
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