Empowering Support Workers to Champion Inclusive Activity

On Monday 8th June, The Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) hosted an inaugural webinar to Hertfordshire’s Social Care workforce. Joined by 48 Support Workers, the webinar was designed to equip the workforce with knowledge and confidence to better support people with disabilities to become more physically active. Bringing together national insights, local provision and lived experience, the session explored the role of Support Workers in promoting physical activity.  

The session opened with a collaborative keynote from leading disability organisations: Activity Alliance, Sense, and Disability Rights UK, who shared key statistics, research and national guidance, emphasising the importance of embedding physical activity within social care and explaining why this is essential. The webinar then explored how inclusive physical activity opportunities can be supported through No Limits 2026 – Hertfordshire’s Year of Disability Sport and Physical Activity, highlighting its role in driving sustainable change. Attendees were guided on how they can best engage with the campaign; before hearing from one of the No Limits 2026 Ambassadors, Ciaran Kiely who spoke about the influence of his Support Worker in assisting him with his participation in sport, mainly Boccia, and the impact this has had on his social and mental wellbeing.  

Local provision was also spotlighted including contributions from Herts Tennis Foundation, Herts Disability Sports Foundation, Hertfordshire County Council’s Children Services, and the Moving More Activity Finder, making Support Workers feel more equipped to signpost and refer to inclusive activities across the county.  

Support workers left the webinar equipped with practical knowledge, local referral options, and inspiration to promote inclusive physical activity for all. The session also marked an important step for HSP in strengthening its collaboration with support workers across Hertfordshire—relationships that will be vital to sustain in order to achieve lasting change for disabled people. 

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To watch back the recording, view the video at the bottom of the page or click here.  

Check out the No Limits 2026 webpage for more information and contact z.mckeating@herts.ac.uk to find out more about embedding physical activity into social and healthcare settings.