Inclusive sports project: district and Bathildisheim cooperate
Sport not only has physical and health benefits, but is also important from a social point of view, e.g. for a sense of belonging within a community. Enabling people with different abilities to participate in sporting activities and promoting a sense of togetherness is the aim of the "Moving Together" sports project, which was launched around a year ago by the Bathildisheim Bad Arolsen. The district of Waldeck-Frankenberg, represented by First District Councillor Karl-Friedrich Frese, and Bathildisheim e. V., represented by Dr Christian Geyer, have now signed a cooperation agreement to further promote the inclusive programme.
"We are delighted about the cooperation and the opportunity to make a difference together," emphasised the First District Councillor and added: "Inclusion in sport is not only important, but also enriching for everyone involved. After all, everyone has the right to be active and become part of a community." On behalf of the contractual partner Bathildisheim e. V., CEO Dr Geyer emphasised: "We bring our expertise in inclusive work and our attitude to the cooperation: participation must be a matter of course." Sport is a strong lever for this, he says, and understanding develops through encounters. "Through joint events, networks and public visibility, we make inclusion tangible - for everyone," says Dr Geyer.
Bathildisheim sports coordinator Sebastian Gleim emphasises: "Inclusion is a human right and that's exactly how we should live it." Everyone has the right to experience the positive effects of sport, but the high performance requirements are often a major hurdle. "Moving Together" should therefore create programmes in Waldeck Frankenberg that don't focus on performance, but on togetherness. In order for such inclusive sports programmes to really grow and be maintained, one thing is needed above all: the openness and support of society.
The district's Municipal Disability Officer, Alexandra Köck, specified the aims of the project, in which the district is now officially involved with the signing of the contract. "Together, we are striving to improve quality of life and create an inclusive environment. Our goals are aimed at ensuring that people with disabilities have the same opportunities in sport as everyone else and that their participation is unrestricted. As the programmes are aimed equally at people with and without disabilities and everyone trains together, this creates active participation."
The inclusive sports project "Miteinander bewegt" offers a variety of sports that are specially tailored to the needs of all participants. Through regular training sessions and events, the aim is to break down barriers together and create an environment in which everyone has the opportunity to discover and develop their sporting talents.
Whether through participation in the sports programmes, as a club or cooperation partner, as an exercise leader or as a volunteer, there are many ways to get involved. Anyone who would like to get involved in the project or be part of "Miteinander bewegt" can contact sports coordinator Sebastian Gleim by phone on 0151 22166284 or by email. Anyone interested is cordially invited to register and become part of the initiative.
Caption: "Moving together", Bathildisheim and the district are now officially committed to inclusion through joint sporting activities; present at the signing of the contract (from left to right): Bathildisheim e. V. board member Dr Christian Geyer, Bathildisheim sports coordinator Sebastian Gleim, municipal disability officer for the district Alexandra Köck, head of the women's and equal opportunities department Beate Friedrich, first district councillor Karl-Friedrich Frese. (Photo: District of Waldeck-Frankenberg)