Development Week: Empowering Through Inclusivity and Engagement!

We've been busy launching our new initiatives, hosting valuable workshops, and welcoming esteemed Guest Speakers. Let’s take a look at the fantastic strides our Delivery Team has made in breaking down barriers to participation and harnessing the power of sports to positively impact young lives.

Celebrating our People, Health and Wellness, and Website Launch!

Firstly, let's spotlight our shiny new People Strategy launch – an approach centred on celebrating diversity and inclusivity. Practically, it means detailed guidance, continuous support, and tailored methods to create the best sporting environment for our pupils and school communities!

Next up is our Health and Well-being initiative upgrade - a holistic model blending physical fitness and mental well-being to foster healthier habits and enhance self-awareness among children.

And last but not least, we're thrilled to announce our revamped Website Launch! Expansive and user-friendly, now you can easily get all the details about our exciting programmes at your fingertips.

Company Updates: Dream Team in Action!

• Shining a light on the importance of embedding learning in play, we had 'English on the Move' and 'Maths on the Move' sessions led by the brilliant Andrew Stanton.
• Our dance workshop allowed us to express ourselves freely and joyfully, proving once again that sports can be a universal language.
• We experienced a riveting miMove workshop, 'The Aspire Way' workshop echoing our core values and expectations, and vital Safeguarding and Prevent Training.
• A gymnastics session led by the dynamic Bailey Smallman married focus and fun, while a Tag Rugby session led by Dave Lote offered valuable lessons in teamwork.
• Focusing on ensuring a respectful and collaborative environment, a session fantastic session on behaviour management in primary schools was paired perfectly with a workshop on engaging the whole class.

GB Paralympian Shioban Fitzpatrick

We were beyond exhilarated to welcome Shioban Fitzpatrick, a renowned GB Paralympian, as our Guest Speaker. Shioban's insights and experiences further highlighted the transformative power of sports in children’s lives. Siobhan highlighted how her own experiences helped her to overcome adversity within education. 

Swim:ED Team Highlights and Fun-filled Retro Games

• Safeguarding Swimming Teachers: An essential training that emphasised the importance of providing a secure and supportive space for our swimming instructors.
• School Induction and Week One Assessments: This focused session allowed our team to gain insights on seamless school collaboration, ensuring your little swimmers have the best possible start in our program.
• Pool Session: The Swim:ED Team had the opportunity to witness an engaging pool session, experiencing first-hand the KS2 requirements and core skill activities they'll need to deliver.
• Class Management and Behaviour Standards: A wonderful workshop highlighting best practices for effectively managing group dynamics and setting clear expectations for student conduct.

Moreover, our talented team completed a session on Pool Safety Operating Procedures and emergency protocols in Pop-in Pools – emphasising our commitment to keeping your children safe during every splash!

As a spectacular finale to an amazing week, our entire team joined an unforgettable Retro Games event, organised by Inspire Activity's Community Games. In the spirit of camaraderie, we formed teams of five and engaged in delightful activities such as Egg 'n Spoon Race, Sack Race, Welly Wanging, Space Hopper Race, Archery, Axe Throwing, Connect 4, Netball and much more. It truly was a blast! Thank you to the Inspire Activity team for organising this fun-filled event, allowing us to cheer each other on and celebrate our shared love for sports and games!

The Awards

Our company awards are a chance to celebrate those team members who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to our six values:

Value Awards:

Max Cooper: 

Ever since Max hopped on board in February, he has been the ray of sunshine we didn't know we needed! His positive attitude and diligence have not only captivated his colleagues but also greatly contributed to our inclusive and engaging sports programs for children. 

Max's inherent eagerness to lend a helping hand to his team, come what may, amplifies the true essence of our brand's values.

Brad Terry: 

Throughout the bright and bustling summer term, Brad has emerged as an illuminating example of dedication and knowledge in our team.  As a key coordinator of our Active Camps, he has steered the ship with unwavering professionalism, ensuring our young athletes stay active. 

Brad’s extraordinary efforts have helped us build a platform where all children, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds, can participate in and enjoy sports. His holistic approach boosts children’s physical activity alongside their mental well-being and instils crucial life skills along the way. 

Adam Walton:

We are absolutely thrilled to bestow the esteemed "Value Award"  upon Adam, who has been lighting up our organisation with his incomparable professionalism and exceeding expectations every step of the way!

In addition to his exceptional work ensuring compliance for Training Solutions, Adam has taken the reins on spearheading a crucial project—crafting Aspire’s innovative new booking system! 

Alex Wright:

It's our absolute pleasure to honour Alex with the prestigious "Value Award", as a testament to his unwavering hard work and commitment to Training Solutions throughout the summer season. 

Thanks to Alex's tireless efforts, he received incredibly uplifting feedback from the mentees under his guidance, who showered him with praise for his dedication to offering top-notch support. 

Michael McMahon:

With great joy, we recognise Michael, the well-deserved recipient of our esteemed "Value Award". His steadfast, hard-working nature is second to none and it has been instrumental in uplifting his companions in the Training Solutions team. A torchbearer for quality, Michael has ensured first-class tutoring for our apprentices, paving the way for them to excel. 

Michael's dedicated efforts help us promote our inclusive and adaptable sports programs, enriching the lives of our aspiring young athletes irrespective of their backgrounds or abilities. His work has not only fostered physical growth but also ignited a beneficial impact on their mental well-being and life skills. 

Luke Bishop:

We're absolutely delighted to honour Luke as the recipient of our treasured "Value Award". Luke's fantastic professionalism and contagious positivity have been instrumental in making our Active Camps a success. His upbeat attitude brings not just sunshine but true value to our sports initiatives. 

The flood of incredibly heart-warming feedback from our happy customers last summer is a testament to Luke's cheerful spirit and constant commitment to fostering an inclusive, engaging, and inspiring environment. 

Clare Almond:

Clare, a shining star of our Aspire team, sparks joy and sets a high bar for commitment and inspiration. With her heart set on making a difference, she went the extra mile by utilising her lunch breaks to teach a fellow teaching assistant how to swim. 

This act of dedication soared well beyond her defined job roles and proved that even the simplest actions can have far-reaching effects. By stepping up, Clare personified the true essence of Aspire's values—teaching, guiding, and inspiring, just like a beacon of light in the journey of others.

Steph Donovan: 

Despite joining the Aspire family just five short months ago, Steph has quickly blazed a trail, inspiring us all while excelling brilliantly in her role!  With a wonderful balance of filming practical and theory sessions for AspireED, she showcases how passion, knowledge, and commitment can truly create ripples of change. 

Steph's drive signifies her valuable contribution towards our mission of breaking down barriers and promoting inclusivity in sports, setting a stage where everyone feels welcome to partake and rejoice in the bountiful benefits of sports for children. 

WOW Factor: 

Our Aspire team proudly presented the "WOW Factor" award to Alex, who stood out as the most deserving candidate thanks to their unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch customer support during our Active Camp period! 

With such dedication, Alex has played a significant role in bringing the joy of sports to our young participants and paving the way for their physical and mental growth, all while promoting vital life skills. 

Together, we celebrate Alex's outstanding contributions in providing an inclusive and adaptable program that caters to a diverse range of abilities and backgrounds.

DNA: 

We are thrilled to celebrate Brad, the deserving recipient of our outstanding DNA award!  Brad's efforts have forged a vital connection between a school and our dedicated team, creating the possibility for a Swim:ED programme to come to life.  This fantastic opportunity could positively impact the lives of over 60 pupils, empowering them with the joy of swimming, enhancing their physical and mental well-being, and teaching them valuable life skills. 

A huge congratulations and thank you to our spring term award winners!