To tackle inactivity in the 53 new places, we’re taking a place-based approach – partnering with local organisations and leaders who understand both the specific needs of their communities and the local assets that are available to support people to play sport and get active.
We're expanding this approach predominantly with and through our network of Active Partnerships. They are our local system partner and are connected to the local systems and stakeholders for each of these places. We simply couldn’t do this without them.
Place-based working takes a bespoke approach to each area, identifying the major barriers to activity that each place faces and working to dismantle them. For example:
- Active Madrassahs in Pennine Lancashire enabling over 5,000 Muslim children to lead a more active life through embedding physical activity into Madrassah learning sessions;
- Using activities like football and walking to integrate refugees into the community in Calderdale;
- Using physical activity to rehabilitate patients in South Tees to improve their chances of recovery after surgery.
We’ve been testing this community-based approach since 2018, with data from pilot areas demonstrating that its investments are making a positive contribution towards reducing inactivity.
Local impact reports indicate that in Calderdale, inactivity has reduced by 7% among children and young people and 4% among adults; in Doncaster, inactivity has reduced 12% among children and young people and 2.5% among adults.
Children and young people in Greater Manchester now report inactivity levels that are lower than the national average. In Withernsea, inactivity has reduced by over a quarter (29%) for people with disabilities.
Our executive director of place, Lisa Dodd-Mayne, further explained the advantages of place-based working and why a new approach was needed.
“We’re proud to announce our partnerships with 53 new places today,” she said. “Where you live has a direct impact on how active you can be, which is why a ‘whole-system’ approach to a place is the most comprehensive way to tackle inactivity.
“Each place is its own ecosystem, and we look at the local spaces (like parks, woodland, leisure centres and community halls) that are available in that ecosystem.
“We then partner with local organisations (such as NHS trusts, councils, faith groups and grassroots sports clubs) to create opportunities for the community to get active.
“From embedding Active Design into housing plans in Exeter, to gentle dance classes for older people in Doncaster to help them rehabilitate after a fall, to football clubs for isolated men in Blackburn – our Place work is as varied as the communities that we’re working for.
“And every active adult and child represents money saved for our health and care system, reduced pressure on the NHS and a healthier workforce – delivering growth through health.
“We have learned that we cannot solve the problem with the same mindset that created it. We have to do things differently, recognising that progress moves at the speed of trust.
“That means being stubborn on the vision for the place, but flexible on how they get there, and finding the organisations that have the right reach. They are there, but you need to look for them.”
