Shaping inclusion together: Project week at the Sports Centre

How can inclusive participation be made a reality in everyday life? The Sports Centre at TU Braunschweig addressed this question during a project week held in September 2026 in collaboration with Lebenshilfe Braunschweig. The initiative stemmed from a request by Lebenshilfe to provide its participants with a guided insight into a new working environment: that of the Sports Centre’s grounds staff.

A total of seven people from Lebenshilfe took part; they were supported by a team from the Sports Centre, who gave them an insight into the tasks and areas of work involved. During the project week, the participants were responsible for maintaining the Sports Centre’s outdoor facilities. There, they undertook tasks such as maintaining the Finn track and trimming hedges on the outdoor grounds.

The practical activities were intended to provide a framework in which interaction, participation and collaborative learning could take place directly.

“For us, the focus was on social and inclusive principles right from the start. We wanted to create a framework in which participants could gain their own experiences, contribute their skills and, of course, be part of the joint project,” says Mareike Danzebrink, coordinator of the ‘Diversity in Sports’ project.

Key insights into the success of inclusion work: it requires careful yet flexible preparation. Clearly defined tasks, straightforward agreements, designated contact persons and the early clarification of health and safety measures and responsibilities ensure a reliable framework.

The project week is part of ‘Diversity in Sports’, which aims to break down barriers and embed diversity sustainably within the structures and everyday life of university sport. The experiences gained are intended to serve as a basis for potential future initiatives.