We’re an Occupational Therapy-led health service that uses sport and activity as tools to improve health, wellbeing and independence.

The word “sport” reflects our belief that movement and meaningful activity can build confidence, identity and belonging.

But sport is not the outcome – it’s the vehicle. Our work is rooted in Occupational Therapy, supporting people to do the things that matter in their everyday lives.

We deliver Occupational Therapist-led assessments and support in community settings, using meaningful activity (including sport) to help people achieve their goals:

• Build confidence and independence
• Improve mental and physical health
• Reconnect with their community
• Develop everyday life skills

We support adults who would benefit from therapeutic support and who are often ‘furthest away’ from sport and physical activity.

This includes people who may:

• Be experiencing mental health challenges
• Be neurodivergent
• Live with long-term health conditions and or disabilities
• Feel socially isolated or excluded

People sometimes assume we are only for individuals with learning disabilities – this isn’t the case.

No.

You don’t need any experience or ability. Many people we support have had negative experiences of sport in the past.

We focus on:

• Confidence over competition
• Participation over performance
• Personal progress over comparison

As a specialist Occupational Therapy-led service, our sessions are designed for people who need therapeutic support.
When timetables were public, people sometimes attended who didn’t need this level of support. This reduced access for those who did.

We now use a referral and assessment process to make sure:

• The right people access the service
• Our clinical expertise is used where it’s most needed
• Attendance at any SFC sessions is decided in collaboration with an Occupational Therapist

It’s therapy- delivered through activity.

Everything we do is therapeutically informed and outcome-focused, even when it looks like sport or play. This is not diversionary activity. We use activity intentionally to support health, wellbeing and independence.

We also believe therapy can (and should) be enjoyable and meaningful and having fun can be part of the process.

Everyone who accesses Sport for Confidence is first supported by an Occupational Therapist, helping us to understand the person, their goals, strengths, interests, and any barriers they may face to engaging in meaningful physical activity.

From there, support is shaped around individual need. For some people, a small amount of Occupational Therapy support alongside access to inclusive community opportunities may be enough to help them build confidence and maintain engagement independently. For others with more complex needs, Occupational Therapy involvement may increase or continue as part of their journey.

Alongside our specialist support, we also work with partners to help develop inclusive, community-based opportunities that are open and accessible to more people.

We call this our Community Model — helping to grow a wider network of inclusive opportunities that support healthier, more connected communities.

Usually through:

• Professional referrals (e.g. NHS, social care, partners)
• Partner organisations
• Direct enquiries (we’ll guide you)

• Increased confidence
• Improved mental health and wellbeing
• Greater independence to do the activities that matter most to you
• Stronger social connections
• Re-engagement with everyday life