BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, has been working closely with Cliffdale Primary Academy to better understand how children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) across the city can access sports and leisure facilities in a more inclusive, supportive and meaningful way.
Over the past 12 months, BH Live has worked with the Academy to listen to families, teachers, and experts to understand how barriers to physical activity participation can be removed to encourage families of young people with additional needs to be more active.
Key outcomes included expanding BH Live’s SEN-friendly activity provision, improving coach confidence and understanding, and creating more welcoming environments where young people with additional needs can be active, build confidence and enjoy positive real-world experiences.
A collaborative approach
The partnership began following a meeting at a Portsmouth City Council SEND Local Offer Live event in Cosham, where both organisations identified a shared goal to improve opportunities for SEN children.
The project brought together:
- BH Live operational and community teams
- Cliffdale Primary Academy leadership and teaching staff
- Pupils with additional needs
- Parents and families
The partnership between BH Live and Cliffdale Primary Academy was established to look at the provision of accessible and inclusive leisure opportunities for children and young people with additional needs.
Families and teachers at the school admitted that young people with additional needs often faced a range of challenges when accessing everyday activities such as swimming, soft play, or visiting local attractions. These barriers can include limited understanding of SEN within leisure environments, sensory overload in busy spaces, a lack of tailored sessions, and reduced confidence in trying new experiences.
The effects extend beyond physical activity, contributing to social isolation, reduced independence, and fewer opportunities for young people to develop communication skills and confidence in real-world situations.
Across Portsmouth, families have consistently highlighted the need for more inclusive provision, seeking not only access to activity, but opportunities to take part in everyday experiences many take for granted.
Implementing more inclusive measures
A range of improvements have since been introduced across BH Live sites as a direct result of the collaboration. These include:
- Expanding SEN-specific sessions at Mountbatten Leisure Centre across its attractions, including its indoor Clip N’ Climb facility, and inflatables MountAirXL and AquaDash
- Introducing SEN taster sessions to support gradual engagement with new activities
- Embedding inclusive tools such as communication cards, visual prompts and “what to expect” guides in leisure centres
- Creating clearer and more supportive customer journeys
Cliffdale Primary Academy also supported BH Live staff through specialised SEN training, covering areas such as autism awareness, communication approaches, understanding sensory needs, and positive behaviour support. This has helped build confidence across teams and ensure a more consistent, inclusive experience for visitors.
The partnership has already delivered meaningful impact across the local community, including a wider range of SEND-friendly activity provisions across BH Live Active leisure centres; improved staff awareness, confidence, and understanding of SEN needs; and more inclusive and welcoming environments.
Young people were central to shaping these improvements, with their feedback, alongside that of families and staff, directly informing changes. Families involved have already shared positive feedback about these new inclusive practices:
One family member who attended an accessible SEN MountAirXL session at Mountbatten Leisure Centre shared;
“BH Live’s staff were incredibly accommodating, and the team member leading the session was especially friendly, welcoming and understanding of all the children’s needs.
“I was particularly impressed to see staff using visual signs to support non-verbal communication, and the availability of sensory toys, which my daughter really enjoyed and kept returning to throughout the session.
“We’ve attended several SEN sessions at different venues over the Easter holidays, and I can honestly say this was the most inclusive and well-considered experience. It’s clear that these sessions genuinely matter to the team.”
The success of the project has been underpinned by a strong commitment from both organisations to listen, collaborate, and deliver real change within a relatively short timeframe.
BH Live operates BH Live Active sport and leisure facilities across Portsmouth on behalf of Portsmouth City Council.
Carla Earle, BH Live’s Community Sports Manager, who has led the partnership with Cliffdale Primary Academy, said:
“This partnership has helped us better understand how we can remove barriers to physical activity for families of children with additional needs and create more inclusive opportunities for those who are often disadvantaged. Working alongside Cliffdale Primary Academy has been invaluable in shaping meaningful, practical change and ensuring our leisure facilities are welcoming for everyone.”
On behalf of Cliffdale Primary Academy, Roxanne Daish, Cliffdale’s Family Support Worker, said;
“It has been a pleasure to work alongside the team at Mountbatten Leisure Centre, who are genuinely committed to making their facilities accessible for families with children who have additional needs. Many families had previously felt isolated and lacked trust in community services, but the team is actively breaking down these barriers.
“By listening to parents and responding to their concerns, the team in centre have introduced meaningful changes, including visual aids, sensory resources, and dedicated SEN sessions. Children are now enjoying weekly access to swimming during school time, gaining valuable experiences while having fun. This proactive approach is making a real difference, ensuring families feel heard and supported.”
On behalf of Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure and Sport at Portsmouth City Council, said:
“We want everyone in Portsmouth to feel welcome and able to take part in sport and leisure, whatever their needs. This partnership shows how listening to families and working together can remove barriers and make a real difference. It’s great to see more inclusive opportunities being created across our leisure centres, helping young people build confidence, stay active and feel part of their community.”
More information about BH Live Active, including its SEN timetable and health and wellbeing programmes, can be found online at bhliveactive.org.uk.
More information about BH Live can be found online at bhlive.org.uk.