Parkrun roll out support packs to help people with confidence issues take part

Parkrun roll out support packs to help people with confidence issues take part Parkrun is hugely popular all over the world - but some people lack the confidence to take part. Now the organisers have teamed up with Specsavers in a bid to help Parkrun support packs are set to be rolled out after a study found half of people with accessibility needs lack confidence to take part alone. Research by Specsavers claims 54% of those with additional needs would attend Parkrun if they didn't face inaccessible information, uncertainty around support, or navigation concerns. It also found more than two thirds (67%) of them are likely to want to be more physically active, so a new partnership between Specsavers and Parkrun is keen to help. The two organisations have launched the StartLine Initiative, a new nationwide programme designed to remove some of the practical and emotional barriers that stop people taking part in Parkrun. Specsavers research of 2,000 people said 49% of people with accessibility needs want to attend Parkrun more often but lack the confidence to go alone. Even 74% say feeling welcomed and supported is just as important to their wellbeing as the physical exercise itself. Following a successful pilot at selected parkrun events, Specsavers and Parkrun are beginning the rollout of 100 StartLine Packs to participating events across the UK. The packs are said to be providing practical tools and resources to help event teams support people with accessibility needs and create even more welcoming experiences. This includes visibility aids such as high-visibility bibs displaying 'Please give me space' and step-up boxes for volunteers. It also hopes to provide navigation support through large, laminated course maps highlighting the route, start point, parking, toilets and other facilities. A3 whiteboards will also be given out for welcoming first-timers and explaining event information in accessible ways. To support participants who are blind or partially sighted guide tethers will be provided to use with a guide. The rollout of StartLine Packs to participating parkrun events will begin later this year. Alongside the packs, a new StartLine Hub will provide participants, organisers and volunteers with accessible information ahead of event day. This aims to help people understand what to expect, discover available support and feel more confident about attending their local parkrun. Specsavers has partnered with Jodie Ounsley, who was the first deaf female England rugby player, to launch a short film. It features three people whose experiences at varying stages of their parkrun journey demonstrate the difference practical support can make. Jodie Ounsley said: "Getting to the start line can often feel like the hardest part. What I love about this initiative is that it's focused on making people feel welcome before they have even taken their first step. "Everyone deserves to experience the physical and mental benefits that come from being a part of the parkrun community and the StartLine Initiative helps make that possible." Fiona, who has a hearing impairment, said: "I'd thought about going along to parkrun so many times but the idea of turning up somewhere new on my own always stopped me. "Knowing there's a pack that talks you through what to expect and that extra support is available makes it feel possible in ways it didn't before. I'm proud to be part of something that might help someone else take their first step too." John Perkins, CEO of Specsavers, said: "Being able to take an active role in community life and feeling included can have a profound impact on health, wellbeing and confidence. So we're proud to partner with Parkrun to help make events more accessible to more people. "Parkrun brings people together every week, but we know that for some, barriers around sight, hearing, mobility or simply knowing what to expect can make getting to the start line the hardest. The StartLine Initiative is about using our expertise and our partnership with Parkrun to help remove some of those barriers. "This is so more people feel confident, welcome and able to experience everything that comes from being part of their local Parkrun community." Halima Khan, health and inclusion lead at Parkrun, said: "Over 300,000 people already take part in Parkrun across the UK each week. We know, however, that there can still be barriers to taking part for people with hearing loss, visual impairments, mobility challenges, and those who experience social isolation. "Through the StartLine Initiative, we're working with Specsavers to introduce practical support and resources that will help our event teams create even more welcoming, inclusive and accessible parkrun experiences. "As the rollout progresses, more events across the UK will be able to benefit from these tools, helping more people feel supported, confident and able to take part in a way that works for them." For more information about the initiative and accessibility resources available through the StartLine Hub, visit www.parkrun.org.uk/accessibility-inclusion [Image text:] GUIDE UNNER krun