ABOUT THE NEVER WATCH ALONE INITIATIVE

The Never Watch Alone Initiative (NWAI) was launched to the media in Wigan on 19th January 2009. This unique initiative was launched in partnership with the National Association of Disabled Supporters, Wigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club and Wigan Athletic Football Club. The Never Watch Alone Initiative will enable supports with a learning disability to attend matches alongside their fellow supporters.

How do we aim to achieve this?

Through a network of buddies, the Never Watch Alone Initiative will enable those supporters with a learning disability to go to games, not with a professional carer, but a friend, a likeminded fan who shares their passion as well as the camaraderie and socialising before and after the game.

Fans of the Warriors or Latics are welcome to sign up as buddies to the Never Watch Alone Initiative. Buddies don't need experience; ongoing guidance, support and responsibility will be handled by the professionals overseeing the Initiative. Just 18 years or older and a genuine passion for their sport is all that's required.

On the 2nd February 2009 at the JJB Stadium, over 80 people attended the Never Watch Alone social evening event. Guests were treated to an excellent evening's entertainment and had the chance to meet with Latics keeper Chris Kirkland and Warriors prop Andy Coley, who have supported the Initiative.

The Initiative has recieved support from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Andy Burnham MP - "A shared passion for sport unites people from all backgrounds and this is what the Never Watch Alone Initiative is all about. It is a fantastic initiative and I commend Wigan Learning Disability Partnership Board, the National Association of Disabled Supporters, Wigan Athletic Football Club and Wigan Warriors Rugby League Club for coming together to take this forward. I am sure it will prove a fulfilling experience for everyone involved and will bring about many lasting friendships."

The ultimate aim is to enable people with learning disabilities to lead full, purporseful lives in their communities and to develop a range of friendships, activities and relationships.

Comments From Our Partners

The Wigan Learning Disability Partnership Board
The Partnership Board in Wigan & Leigh brings together self advocates, family members and lots of different organisations to plan and work together to make a real difference in the lives of local learning disabled people and their families. The Partnership Board oversees the work of its eleven sub groups and active projects, which includes ‘Never Watch Alone’ as part of the Community Connecting Agenda .The main aims of the board are to provide leadership, to develop new and innovative partnership initiatives and joint training events, overseeing the work of the sub groups and projects, decision making and sharing information

The National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS).
The National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS) is the national registered charity representing disabled supporters of all sports. Its objectives are to promote an inclusive agenda, raise disability awareness through sport and ensure an equality of experiences for all fans. NADS represents the views, issues and concerns of disabled football supporters to football and governmental authorities and provides independent advice on disability issues as they affect the football, cricket and rugby communities. NADS also heads up the disabled branch of englandfans. www.nads.org.uk

Wigan Athletic Football Club
Steve Bruce, Wigan Athletic Manager says “The Never Watch Alone initiative sounds a fantastic way for everyone to get together in the community and support their local teams. I would love to see people sign up to the programme and “buddy up” with like-minded supporters, come along to the games and cheer the Latics on.”

Wigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club
The Warriors are looking forward to working together with the other partners in supporting this excellent initiative. Sport is a great environment for people to experience and we at the Warriors think the initiative will allow people with disabilities to enjoy a great match day experience and allow them to share their passion with another supporter.

Rugby Football League
The RFL is committed to ensuring Rugby League is fully inclusive and welcomes people from all backgrounds whatever their gender, race, disability, age, sexuality, religion or faith. We are delighted to support the Never Watch Alone Initiative and the involvement of the Wigan Warriors to enable supporters with a learning disability to attend matches alongside their fellow supporters. We wish this exciting and innovative initiative every success.

Mencap
The voice of learning disability. Mencap is the leading UK charity for people with a learning disability and their families

Wigan Athletic Supporters Club
Wigan Athletic Supporters Club is the official supporters club for the Latics. They have 700 members and arrange coaches to all away matches. They also hold theme evenings, quiz nights, meet the manager and players evenings along with keeping a register of, and keeping in touch with, past players. There is also a members bar open before all games in the Champions Bar complex opposite the ground.

Football Supporters Federation
The Football Supporters Federation is the national supporters’ organisation for all football fans comprising over 142,000 individual fans and members of local supporters’ organisations from every club in the professional structure and many from the pyramid. The Federation has regular meetings with the football authorities and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, discussing a wide range of issues. It is a pleasure to be involved in such a unique initiative and we wish everyone involved great success.

The Aim

The Never Watch Alone Initiative aims to connect supporters with a learning disability to attend a match alongside their fellow supporters.

How We Will Do This?

Working in partnership with the relevant organisations will enable this pioneering project become a reality in Wigan and Leigh.

Supported by: (Links open in a new window)

National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS)

Wigan Athletic Supporters Club

Wigan Athletic Football Club

Wigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club

The Rugby Football League

The Football Supporters' Federation

Mencap

The Purpose, The Vision

Through consultation with people we believe the Never Watch Alone Initiative will assist in the process of enriching peoples' lives through leisure and sporting opportunities, and will help people to reach their full potential. Encouraging people from the community with different backgrounds to be actively involved will help communities grow stronger. Connecting people to share the ultimate sporting experience will expand networks and assist people to feel included.

Real Life Outcomes (courtesy of NADS)

Case Study 1
Case Study 2
Case Study 3
Case Study 4
Case Study 5
Case Study 6
Case Study 7

External Links (opens a new window)

National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS)