Hft and FitBees – Making digital fitness work for learning disabled people


What’s the BUZZ about FitBees?

In 2022, we partnered with start-up Tendertec on a £1.8m UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded project aimed at encouraging inclusive, sustainable fitness for groups who are underrepresented in the mainstream digital fitness market.

That project is FitBees, a support service combining Tendertec’s Hestia connected care platform, home sensors, and wearable technologies, with support activity and connections to the community.

       Ben with Nick, a person                          supported by Hft

As learning disabled people are among those underrepresented in the digital fitness world, Ben and the team are actively working to improve representation and encourage activity.

Ben currently supports 14 people nationally, providing the technology and giving a constant stream of suggestions for what works and what doesn’t.

This person-centred design approach is enabling learning disabled people to be actively involved in developing FitBees, to make it easier to use and give people with learning disabilities the same digital fitness opportunities as everyone else.

What is it like working on this programme?

“Brilliant!” says Ben.

“To be working on something I can see will have such an impact on so many people, to actually improve their lives and maintain their level of ability, for as long as possible, has been fantastic.

“What’s more, knowing that the people this is going to impact are actually part and parcel of the decisions and design of this is so important. It means we know it can be designed around them and can make sure their opinion is at the forefront of how this service works.”

What myths or misconceptions of what it means to have a learning disability do you see being actively addressed by FitBees?

“For me, the obvious one is any blanket expectation that learning disabled people can’t access mainstream exercise sessions because, with the right support, they absolutely can,” says Ben.

“And we’re talking minor adjustments or adaptations by the person or place facilitating that activity, not a total overhaul.”

He gives the example of Penny, a FitBees participant who has literally smashed barriers since taking up kickboxing in Bristol. Minor adaptations by the centre’s facilitators mean she has felt able to attend two-to-three times a week and is now working towards her first black belt.

Ben says, “The biggest adjustment for Penny is that her sensei has simply given her more time and support in the sessions to go through things, and has learned to occasionally repeat things, to support her understanding.

“That’s only required a minor adjustment on the Academy’s part, at no extra cost, just a little bit of extra time. But it’s made all of the difference to Penny.”

The key takeaway

Ben’s main message for everyone is to never assume that if someone has a learning disability, they should be ruled out from trying new activities. The great benefit of the digital age is that it’s now easier to be more creative in supporting someone to overcome barriers and access different fitness experiences and opportunities.

Ben says, “The beauty of digital solutions and technologies is, of course, that people can access those different experiences where they are. Harnessing digital means that, once they’re onboard, people can continue to look after their fitness at home without having to worry about transport or additional support hours.”

As an example, a recent taster of a Virtual Reality (VR) headset by FitBees’ participants at Hft Leicestershire proved such a hit that the service is now investing in a VR headset for people we support to enjoy.

                     Nick trialling the VR headset

“The VR trial highlighted just how possible it is to make new experiences more readily accessible, enabling someone to step into a whole new landscape or workout session of their choosing, wherever they are and whenever they want to,” Ben adds.

The social model of disability

At Hft, we are championing the social model of disability – the belief that a person is disabled by society and, therefore, we should work to dismantle the barriers preventing disabled people from participating in society.

But we also need to help people see through the barriers they are so used to coming up against. Ben has witnessed some people enrolling in FitBees who initially expressed reservations they would be able to participate in fitness sessions. They assumed that they wouldn’t be catered for.

“Penny, and another supported person, Becky, didn’t think they would be able to go out and start doing things,” he says. “They thought it would be too difficult. But with a bit of encouragement and gentle nudging – coupled with colleague support and engagement by those laying on the activities – we’ve been able to show them, and others, that they most certainly can.”

Penny wearing a purple Hft t shirt and kickboxing gloves
                     Penny in her kickboxing gear

The result?

Penny’s confidence has grown, and she feels she can take on more things and put herself out there, while Becky has got back into her Zumba.

You can find out more about the FitBees project here and our Personalised Technology work here.