Blog

National Inclusion Week: Breaking down barriers

18 Sep. 2026

Bev Winter is a Personal Wellbeing Advisor for Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) in Northumbria. In her role she has helped people on probation engage with rehabilitative services, build confidence and improve their wellbeing creating opportunities for individuals to access support, develop resilience and take positive steps towards a brighter future.  

Inspired by National Inclusion Week (14th-20th September), she shares her daily diary of activities throughout the week with colleagues and service users to help break down barriers, encourage inclusion, teamwork and personal growth. 

Monday 14th September: Recovery walk 

We kicked off the week with a recovery walk from the Felling centre with colleagues and service users. The walk was a reminder that recovery is not a journey taken alone. Every step reinforced the importance of support, understanding and inclusion. Whether people were sharing personal milestones, encouraging one another, or simply enjoying the fresh air, the morning set a positive tone for the week ahead. The walk also helped to promote hope, resilience and sense of community, while reducing stigma and breaking down barriers around recovery. Most importantly it was a chance to acknowledge and celebrate every achievement, whether big or small and to remind everyone that recovery is a journey that should be recognised, valued and celebrated.

Tuesday 15th September: Cold water dip 

Day two brought one of the week's biggest challenges: a coldwater dip organised by Danny, our Dependency and Recovery Guide. A coldwater dip has multiple benefits for the body such as boosting mood, alertness and helping with reducing muscle pain after exercise. Taking part in a cold-water dip encourages people to step outside of their comfort zone and challenge themselves in a safe and supportive environment as well as breaking down barriers to engaging in a group activity by providing an informal, enjoyable and non-judgemental opportunity to connect with others and take part in something different to a ‘traditional’ group session.

For those who took part, it was an opportunity to face fears, trying something new, and helping to break down barriers. 

Wednesday 16th September: Darts challenge 

Midweek saw our centres from across the North East collaborate for a friendly darts challenge. 

The light-hearted darts challenge was an opportunity for people to come together, participate, have conversations and feel a sense of belonging. 

Activities such as these help create a sense of community, giving individuals the opportunity to take part, feel included and engage with others in a positive and supportive setting. The light-hearted atmosphere encouraged participation at all levels and helped foster a greater sense of belonging across the region. 

Thursday 17th September: Herrington Park and Penshaw Monument 

Thursday's event took us on a calming walk through Herrington Country Park and Penshaw Monument in Sunderland. 

As we explored the park featuring a peaceful lake, it felt fitting to reflect on the barriers that still exist today and how we can continue working to overcome them. The walk offered time for conversation, reflection and mutual support. 

There were moments when the route became challenging with steep paths, but participants helped one another along the way. It was a powerful reminder that barriers are much easier to overcome when we face them together. We reached Penshaw Monument and were rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. 

Friday 18th September: Roseberry Topping adventure 

We rounded off the week with a trip to Roseberry Topping, a distinctive cone shaped hill in North Yorkshire. 

The climb represented everything the week had stood for: determination, resilience and shared achievement. As we reached the summit, we were rewarded with panoramic views across North Yorkshire and Cleveland. 

The hill may have been the final challenge of the week, but it also symbolised what can be achieved when people support one another and focus on possibilities rather than obstacles. 

Looking back 

National Inclusion Week gave us the opportunity to celebrate the diversity, strength and resilience within our CRS North East community. Through every walk, challenge and conversation, staff and service users demonstrated what breaking down barriers truly means. 

Inclusion is something we build every day through respect, understanding and meaningful connections. Together, we've shown that when barriers come down, opportunities open up, confidence grows, and communities become stronger.