Background
ASPIRE (Association for Spinal Injury, Research, Rehabilitation & Reintegration) is a registered charity and Fitness Industry Association (FIA) member. In January 1998, the ASPIRE National Training Centre (designed by Sir Norman Foster) was opened at a cost of £5.2m in the grounds of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Middlesex. The centre has been an outstanding success in attracting people with disabilities to participate in physical activities alongside those without disabilities. The Centre now attracts more than 500,000 annual visits of which 30% are by people with disabilities.
Commissioned by: Chief Executive
Terms of Engagement
The ASPIRE leisure operation is an innovative operation and yet, still has a very low UK profile. I was commissioned to identify ways in which the Charity could disseminate the good practice from its operation to the UK leisure industry. Key project aims were:
Research Tools Engaged
Primary research: Depth interviews among staff, including Trustees and members of the senior management team. Depth interviews with major leisure employers. Focus groups with existing centre users. Secondary research: Telephone, Internet and consultation with several trade organisations.
Outcome