Hosted by Sport Vlaanderen, the summit brings together over 1,000 sport professionals, policymakers and social innovation leaders from across Europe. Its purpose is to explore, celebrate and scale the most impactful social sport solutions improving access to physical activity for underserved communities.

Sport for Confidence has been chosen to represent the UK because of its proven success in centring and prioritising the needs of people and communities furthest away from physical activity and sport. The organisation’s unique model, embedding Occupational Therapists alongside the physical activity sector within community leisure settings, champions the belief that everyone has the right to experience physical activity and sport, and that meaningful participation can empower individuals, unlock choice, reduce inequalities, and foster a profound sense of belonging.

At the summit, Sport for Confidence will join influential policymakers and pioneering innovators to contribute to discussions on scaling social sport practices, spotlighting the essential role of therapeutic physical activity in Occupational Therapy. 

Representing Sport for Confidence at the event will be co-CEOs, Lyndsey Barrett and Jake Turner. In addition to presenting the social impact of Sport for Confidence’s Reconnect programme to the delegation via a Pitch Podium, both will take part in dedicated peer learning activities and discussions exploring best practice in policy making, impact measurement, and building sustainable models for inclusive sport.

Turner said: 'Being selected by Sport England to join the Sports4All Innovation Summit is an enormous honour. It reflects the national and international recognition of Occupational Therapy’s critical role in creating environments where everyone can participate meaningfully in physical activity and sport. 

'Working with the local authority, our county-wide Reconnect programme, rolled out across Essex, is hardwiring physical activity into adult social care, providing early help and preventative support to adults living with physical disabilities, learning disabilities and/or long-term health conditions, and their carers, through the use of physical activity. We are excited to share our Reconnect success and learnings, to play our part in shaping inclusive, prevention-led practice across the continent.'

Across the three-day event, Sport for Confidence will join sessions featuring Europe’s leading social entrepreneurs, researchers and policymakers, including keynote addresses by notable experts such as Kaat Peeters, Brian Godor and Arnaud Raskin. The summit will include peer learning sessions, innovation workshops, policy discussions and opportunities for pan-European collaboration.