Make a Referral

We’re here to support people to improve their health, build confidence, and feel a sense of belonging through physical activity and Occupational Therapy.

You can refer yourself or someone else in just a few minutes.

Who are our services for?

Individuals who would benefit from improving their physical or mental wellbeing, who have experienced barriers to taking part in activity.

Those who are living with a health condition or disability, or who have experienced life-changing events; as well as those who would benefit from building confidence, independence, or social connection.

Icon of an eye through a magnifying glass

Where do we work?

Essex (Reconnect), London Borough of Westminster, Havering & Waltham Forest.

Our Primary Care team operates within Brentwood, Essex. For queries relating to this service, please contact info@sportforconfidence.com

For referrals to any of the services listed above, please complete the forms linked on this page.

Who can make a referral?

Individuals, family members, carers, health professionals and community partners can all make a referral.

Reconnect Referrals

Use the links below to refer to our Reconnect Services for individuals living in Essex, the London Boroughs of Havering, and Waltham Forest.

Self-Referral

Refer Someone Else

Assessment Service Referrals

Use the links below to refer to our Assessment Services for individuals living in the London Borough of Westminster.

Self-Referral

Refer Someone Else

What Happens Next?

We will review your referral as quickly as possible. An Occupational Therapist will then contact you to complete an initial assessment and work with you to identify the right support, guiding you towards relevant and appropriate opportunities.

FAQs

Need more information? Check out our most frequently asked questions.

Why are you called Sport for Confidence if you are an Occupational Therapy led service?

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.

So what do you actually do?

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

Who is your service for?

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.

Do I need to be sporty or fit to join?

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

Why don’t you publish your session timetables?

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

Is this therapy or activity?

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.

Does everyone need Occupational Therapy support to become more physically active?

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.

How do people access your service?

Usually through:

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

What outcomes do you support?

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

MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT

Need Support?

Due to the high volume of referrals, we kindly ask that all referrals are submitted via the online forms above.

If you require reasonable adjustments or support to complete a referral, please email:

OTreferral@sportforconfidence.com