Craig Lister’s Post

Today's #SocialValueReport24, which has been published by Sport England, demonstrates that inequalities in activity levels are a social and economic burden but if we protect and invest in sport and physical activity, particularly for people that face barriers to taking part, we'll all be healthier, wealthier, and happier. As Professor Chris Witty, the Chief Medical Officer for England, states: "This reports shows that we need to make it easier for particular groups to engage in physical activity including sport." This is a key focus for the #ActivePartnerships network as we understand the local barriers and work collaboratively with partners to break them down, helping everyone to move more. You can read more about the annual social value of community sport and physical activity report here: https://lnkd.in/eQxeW4zq You can find out more about the work of #ActivePartnerships here: https://lnkd.in/e2tgkb83

The annual social value of community sport and physical activity in England has been calculated at £107.2bn. According to a research report by Sport England – called The Social Value of Sport and Physical Activity in England – the value is made up of £96.7bn in annual wellbeing value for adults, children and young people taking part and volunteering in sport and physical activity. A further £10.5bn is made in wider savings to the health and social care system a year, through relieving pressure on the NHS by means of prevention of illness, reduced mental health service usage, fewer GP visits and a reduced need for informal (unpaid) care. The research – which was based on an in-depth analysis of Sport England’s Active Lives data – was undertaken in partnership with social value advisors State of Life, Sheffield Hallam University and The Manchester Metropolitan University. Published today, the report presents the findings from year one of a three-year study. The annual figures are based on participation, volunteering and population data for the year 2022-23, with all figures in 2023 prices. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eUEufvKQ #Sport #PhysicalActivity #Wellbeing #Research #Health Tim Hollingsworth OBE, Huw Edwards, Tara Dillon FCIMSPA (Ch), ukactive, CIMSPA, Sport and Recreation Alliance, Lisa Wainwright MBE (She/Her), Active Partnerships, Sport for Development Coalition, Youth Sport Trust, Andy Reed OBE, Richard Shaw

Our CEO Hayley Lever was in London earlier this week with Active Partnerships and national organisations from across the movement, physical activity and sport sector. You can read her reflections here: https://lnkd.in/ds2tqJZE Over 40 MPs were in attendance in Parliament to discuss how we all have a role to play in creating the conditions for a happier, healthier and more active nation through movement, physical activity and sport. Minister for Sport, Steph Peacock MP, said: “I’m not going to underplay the challenges we face. "We are committed to rebuilding the foundations of our country and I am going to ensure that sport and physical activity is at the heart of that.  “The Government’s focus is on its five manifesto missions, and these include improving public health and building an NHS fit for the future and breaking down the barriers across our society. "Sport and physical activity are essential to preventative health and the biggest health gain comes from supporting those who are inactive to move more.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/eiGFHm2j

New research published today by the Sport and Recreation Alliance and Active Insight has revealed that grassroots sports clubs are highly valued by local communities across the UK. Results from a survey of a nationally representative panel show that over two thirds of individuals (68%) believe community sports clubs and groups play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community in their area. With 40% of all regularly active adults being a member of a sports club, the new evidence complements the economic and social contribution we know participation in sport and physical activity makes; overall saving the NHS £9.5bn annually and boosting the UK economy by £85bn each year. Find out more here ⬇ https://lnkd.in/etrVTX6P 

A message from our CEO Mark Lawrie: "The Active Lives Children and Young People Survey report released by Sport England on Thursday 5th December makes for somewhat sobering reading. Whilst overall activity levels have been maintained, reflecting the great work of so many locally trusted sporting organisations, the lasting impact of the Covid pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis are undoubtedly further impacting the activity levels of children and young people facing multiple inequalities. We know the power of sport and physical activity to improve physical health, support mental wellbeing, develop confidence and life skills and to play a role in tackling some of the pervasive issues in our communities. As we near the end of the year, we should reflect upon our individual and collective efforts to ensure the benefits of sport reach those who have the most to gain from them. So many individuals and organisations are passionate about the life-changing benefits of sport and physical activity – how do we better combine our efforts as we move forwards to rise to the challenge?" Learn more about the longstanding sport and physical activity gap in our 'Activity Levels and Affluence' infographic: https://lnkd.in/e465b_kd

With the forthcoming election I don’t want to get political. However I havent seen sport and physical activity feature greatly, except for a party leader falling off a paddleboard! Obviously understandable with the rise in the cost of living expecially. Therefore the likelyhoood of reuction in funding to sport and physical activity as its not an essential government service seems likely. We shouldn’t sit back and accept this but put together a case for our sectoor particularly the community sport part. This was impressively done by a number of people prior to the bid for the 2012 games in London as the then Labour government saw the sze of the sports sector and suddenly realised all these people had votes and it also fitted nicely with the addressing inequalities which was a givernment drive at the time. Does this sound familiar. So we need to galvanise the sector behind the great things we do; The health of the nation is enhanced with great sporting activity, competitive or not the value of taking part is not measurable in both physical and mental health. This is partcularly relevant with the aging population so good habits will lead to life-long better health. Over 8 million people volunteer according to some reasearch with is 23% of the voluntary sector and the largest sub-set, largerthan hvolunteering in health or with animal chairtiees. UK Coaching say 3 million people take a role of a coach. The regulation and qualification to make sure ther sessions are safe and stumulating is also vital. The protection of major games in the UK is also a key element of the “see it be it” and a key factor to this must the securing of the Commeneath games in Scotland in 2026. So when MPs are elected make they know the value of our sector.

Place-based working is helping to tackle inactivity and inequality so Sport England has now confirmed enhanced support for 53 places in England. In this blog by Lisa Dodd-Mayne, you can find out more about how this additional funding will help the communities that need the most support to be active and read about the key role that #ActivePartnerships are playing in this work ⬇ https://lnkd.in/epSphzeG

👟 We know being active can prevent & help manage conditions. That’s why we look forward to help design the Physical Activity for Health Pathways. 📰 Our collaborative work in the Community of Practice will form a key role in the development of Physical Activity for Health Pathways in England. 🔎 Find out more about Active Together’s involvement in shaping Physical Activity Pathways for Health 🔽 https://ow.ly/B4fz50RtqU5 Sport England Active Partnerships Move Consulting Coventry University Andrew Harris #LetsGetMovingLLR #PhysicalActivity4HealthPathways #LongTermHealthConditions #PhysicalActivity

It’s been a minute, LinkedIn tribe. I’ll jump in with a controversial thought. Sometimes, being the only one doesn’t make you a precious commodity. It makes you the dinosaur that hasn’t yet gotten the memo. Healthcare in the United States has long been a topic of discussion. It is the single most likely life event to cause a family to either lose a home or require a bankruptcy. It is one of the highest worries for single parents and one of the most common worries for the aged in the United States. Clearly, even our elite athletes are feeling the lack of something. Maybe now, as we are looking at massive political strife in this country, it’s time for us to come together around some key issues. As student loans approach the United States Supreme Court, and our athletes are taking advantage of basic healthcare in the Olympic Village, maybe we know that education and healthcare should rise to the top of the list, along with term limits, for the vast majority of us in the US.

Interesting research on the correlation between young people playing support and reduced loneliness - check it out! #connection #social #communities #reduceloneliness #reduceisolation