Rugby League and Community Integrated Care showcase blueprint for social care

Community Integrated Care and the Rugby Football League are celebrating ten years of impact, using the power of rugby league to tackle inequalities and help people who draw on care and support lead fuller, healthier and more independent lives.

At this year's Labour Party Conference, 14 MPs took part in a rugby league experience at Liverpool's Hill Dickinson Stadium alongside players from the Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League (LDSL), an adapted version of the sport founded by the RFL and Community Integrated Care.

MPs met players, families, support workers and social care professionals, while learning how rugby league's only Official Social Care Partnership is creating opportunities, improving health and wellbeing, building independence and changing lives.

Watch the video above to hear from MPs, LDSL players, their families, Community Integrated Care and the RFL on why this award-winning partnership is offering a powerful blueprint for change in social care.

The partnership combines the Community Integrated Care’s expertise, drawn from delivering eight million hours of care each year, with the reach of Rugby League.

This work has been named the UK’s Best New Model of Integrated Care and as creating the world’s Best Sport Community Scheme.

Alongside the Learning Disability Super League, the partnership has co-produced On The Same Team, anti-discrimination education that has engaged more than 30,000 young people; and Inclusive Volunteering, offering mentoring and development inspired by rugby league to build independence for life and work.

Through these pioneering programmes, thousands of people with learning disabilities have been empowered to improve their health, build confidence, develop new skills, and lead more independent lives; reducing pressure on the care system.