Ikkaido

The Objects of Ikkaido are to use martial arts as a psychosocial intervention to improve the lives of people who are disabled, disadvantaged, suffering from mental illness, infirmity or living with poverty.
Ikkaido has grown participation for over 1000 disabled members
Ikkaido operate in disadvantaged communities and work with organisations and disabled people to help them tackle their issues and to motivate them towards taking steps towards better health, recovery and independent living. They promote healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle, and also offer opportunities to join mainstream sessions to provide some of the essential elements towards inclusion.
Ikkaido work with charities for disabled people such as Styleacre, groups and organisations to develop opportunities for their athletes to experience wider cultural and vocational activities. In this respect they link with Oxford Brookes University which each year runs a community event based on disability sport, nutrition and wellbeing. Ikkaido disabled athletes volunteer as coaches to contribute to the work of ikkaido and to build their own self-esteem through being able to play a genuine and valued role for the enjoyment of others. Much of the work of Ikkaido is supported by funding from Sport England and Ikkaido work with the County Sports Partnerships around the UK to create new participation. Ikkaido offers sessions at Stoke Mandeville National Disability Sport Centre (the Home of the Paralympics) and the Nuffield Remedial Therapy Unit. Ikkaido has worked with the army sport rehabilitation and the army psychologists using sport for psychological recuperation for severely injured servicemen and women.
ikkaido also encourage athletes to grade to new coloured belts and enter competition which not only gives a focus, it also helps in rehabilitation and guidance, assessment and therapy sessions. The athletes find that the ability to use martial arts to express themselves is a major empowerment tool which we encourage.
The KickStart 100 projects, run by Ikkaido, provide education in history, basic maths, language skills, simple Physics, Biology, social skills and nutrition advice recognising that many individuals do not have just one issue to resolve, but require support that looks into their mental health and emotional needs, as well as their physical needs, We have found that offering therapy through martial arts and encouraging self-expression through physical exercise helps athletes identify many of their emotions and helps take down communication barriers. For athletes without sufficient movement, we provide support and we have found that once able to use a few simple movements to express themselves they progress towards clarity of thinking, increased awareness and much higher levels of self esteem.
Prior to its formation in 2013 the spirit of Ikkaido had existed for many years. The early years and philosophy of the organisation were set up by Ray Sweeney in Spain in 2001.
Amongst the population there are many disabled people with obesity, low self-esteem and a lack of self-confidence. Ikkaido encourage everyone to participate and more able athletes are encouraged to support the less able, learning how to coach and work together. The physical training increases skill levels whilst empowering individuals and provides exciting and fun new learning experiences for everyone.
Ikkaido link into schools and colleges to deliver sessions of martial arts for disabled people as well as working with charities that provide day care services. The committee of Ikkaido organise regular belt gradings to inspire athletes to develop their skills through awards of their new belts and certificates. Language learning is also an important aspect of the work of ikkaido as the athletes are introduced to the Japanese language. The work of Ikkaido is well received in local schools and is recognised as being a valuable learning resource as well as a great fun.
Young people are taken on as volunteers to assist with coaching and gain a great deal from their interaction with disabled people. Young disabled people are being encouraged to take up a coaching pathway.
Endorsed and supported by the local government and the regional council, the group is recognised for changing the perceptions of what disabled people are capable of and this is something which is being encouraged and explored by the councils. The work of Ikkaido has been recommended by County Sport Partnerships throughout the United Kingdom and is being cited as an excellent example of community cohesion & local authorities are keen to extend this good practice model.
Ikkaido are members of the Sport and Recreation Alliance
Ikkaido are Workshop Partners for Sportscoach UK courses and a Recognised Centre for 1st4Sport Qualifications. Ikkaido have a full coach development department
The fast growth of Ikkaido has led the organisation to make contact with groups in other countries doing similar work in order to share their results as good practice.
Key Staff
Roles and responsibilities

Ray Sweeney is a Master of Karate, adult education tutor, assessor of qualifications, and the CEO and founder of the charity.

Stephen Pellitt volunteers as the Chairman, is a 5th dan in karate, a Level 2 Coach, an adult education tutor, a local government officer in Kent and tirelessly works coaching disabled people in karate at several Special Schools. He is well respected and full of energy and brings good governance to the organisation.
Steve has a degree in Sports Science

Mo Sarwar is a qualified Assessor and also the Qualifications Internal Verifier

One of the project goals for Ikkaido is to be able share learning with transnational partners and to recognise good practice in coaching, tutoring and education standards and the promotion of and research into the particular skills learnt through karate which develop cognitive, emotional, physical and behavioural change and create personal and learning achievements.