Rivers Recognised as an Inclusive Leader in Worcestershire

We’re proud to announce that we’ve been awarded the Inclusive Leaders Award by Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Growth Hub in March 2026.

The award recognises organisations that are committed to creating inclusive workplaces, supporting equal opportunities and making a meaningful difference within their communities.

This recognition follows us achieving Disability Confident Employer status in December 2025 and highlights the work taking place across our organisation to build a more accessible, supportive and inclusive environment for both employees and the wider community.

As part of the assessment process, Worcestershire County Council reviewed several key areas including:

• Working towards becoming a Disability Confident Employer/Leader

• Developing meaningful and measurable person centres strategies

• Championing the Equality Act 2010 through policies, staff training and organisation wide leadership

• Promoting advocacy and support across the organisation and wider community

• Offering reasonable adjustments and job carving where appropriate

• Actively recruiting under the Equality Act 2010 with accessible recruitment processes

• Supporting the community through work placements, employment talks, events and visits, including for individuals with protected characteristics

We have now joined a network of nearly 90 employers across Worcestershire recognised as Inclusive Leaders.

The award reflects the ongoing work being carried out across our centres to make sure that inclusion, accessibility and opportunity remain at the heart of what we do. From supporting community wellbeing programmes and creating accessible opportunities within employment, to working alongside local organisations and partners, Rivers is committed to making a positive impact both inside and outside of the workplace.

During June and July 2026, we will undergo further external assessment as part of the process towards achieving Disability Leader status.

Nigel Huddleston, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport of the UK, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this award and to be recognised for the work taking place across Rivers Fitness. Inclusion and accessibility are extremely important to us, not only for our staff, but for the communities we serve every day. This is another positive step forward in our ongoing commitment to creating welcoming, supportive and inclusive environments for everyone.”

We’d like to thank all staff, partners and community organisations who continue to support our journey.

To find out more about us and our community initiatives, click here.