
Inclusive Sport, a sports club based in Whitstable, Kent, has secured a £178,000 loan from NatWest to purchase its new headquarters.
The club, which obtained the loan via its holding company, has operated for six years in two Kent locations and offers inclusive training and coaching to hundreds of children and adults with disabilities and special needs.
The expansion to a third Kent location hopes to help even more individuals access a variety of coaching and fitness programmes.
Plans for the new HQ include a new and fully equipped inclusive gym and fitness centre, the delivery of more coaching and activator courses and Paralympics-themed programmes throughout the summer.
The NatWest loan will also allow the club to expand its workforce and train local coaches, as well as help with day-to-day operations.
The club has already worked to upskill young adults with disabilities, who have gone on to qualify as level-one activators running their very own sessions.
Thomas Tsangarides, director of Inclusive Sport, said: “We’ve always set out to create a positive impact in society and provide activities for all abilities so we’re happy that our partnership with NatWest will allow us to take our efforts to the next stage and reach even more people.
“NatWest has been integral in helping us to secure a new base in Kent to allow us to continue to work with people from either lower socio-economic backgrounds or with disabilities and ultimately inspire and teach them that anything is possible.
“We are really excited about what the future holds and continuing our working relationship with NatWest.”
Lesley Kennedy, relationship manager at NatWest Group, added: “At NatWest, we’re very keen to support the next generation and help to provide a level playing field to all so when we came across Inclusive Sport and saw the work they did, we realised they embodied what NatWest is all about and we were honoured when they agreed to work with us.
“Tom and the team have been a dream to work with, and we’re in awe of everything they do to make local sports club more inclusive and allow more individuals the chance to have fun and express themselves.”
Inclusive Sport sets out to support, empower and aid both children and adults to play sports they may not otherwise have access to due to disabilities, mental health problems or socioeconomic status.
As part of its ongoing work to create a positive impact in society, the company has teamed up with national charity Street Games, which is also in partnership with Team GB to roll out its programme in the South East and London region.