Widnes Vikings and Community Integrated Care shortlisted at 3rd Sector Care Awards

The pioneering partnership between Community Integrated Care and Widnes Vikings has been recognised for its incredible impact with two nominations at the 3rd Sector Care Awards.

The 3rd Sector Care Awards celebrate exceptional practice in the not-for-profit care sector. The partnership is shortlisted for the Citizenship Award, recognising its success in enabling people with support needs to lead full and active lives in the community. It is also featured in the Innovative Quality Outcomes Award category, which highlights the most creative and impactful programmes in social care.

Widnes Vikings are the first sports club to ever be shortlisted at this high-profile event. These nominations follow the partnership also being shortlisted for the ‘Best Dementia Innovation Award’ at the recent National Dementia Care Awards.

Community Integrated Care and Widnes Vikings have developed possibly the most ambitious partnership between a social care provider and a professional sports club. It sees community coaches from the club deliver a host of weekly activity, sport and social events for people supported by the charity – who have learning disabilities, mental health concerns, autism and dementia. The club has also supported many people to also enjoy special experiences with past and present players and develop new skills, through activities such as volunteering.

Widnes Vikings and the charity also work together to make a difference in the local community. This has seen them create The Chemics Cafe – a free monthly support group for people affected by dementia, deliver Dementia Friends training to local older people, and promote positive messages about social inclusion to local people.

The 3rd Sector Care Awards take place in London on 7th December and will be hosted by Dame Esther Rantsen.

John Hughes, Head of Communications and Marketing for Community Integrated Care, says: “Our partnership with Widnes Vikings has changed the lives of the people we support and given them incredible experiences. For us to be recognised at one of the care sector’s most prestigious events for the creativity, impact and ambition of our work together is a tremendous honour. We’d like to thank the players, colleagues and fans of Widnes Vikings for their brilliant support this year.”

Richard Munson, Community Integrated Director of Widnes Vikings, says: “Widnes Vikings are delighted that the partnership we have with Community Integrated Care has been recognised at such a prestigious event. Our main aim as the community arm of the Vikings is to make a difference to people’s lives and we have achieved this through schemes like the Chemics Café. We hope that our partnership with Community Integrated Care will continue to grow. Being shortlisted for this award is testament to the work that we are doing together.”