Sport England Expands Place-Based Approach to Combat Inactivity in 53 New Locations

Sport England is broadening its initiative to combat inactivity by partnering with 53 new locations across the country. This expansion focuses on a “place-based approach,” collaborating with local organizations and leaders who possess a deep understanding of their communities’ unique needs and the resources available to encourage sports and physical activity. The goal is to create tailored solutions that address the specific barriers to activity in each area, ensuring interventions are relevant and effective.

This strategic move leverages Sport England’s network of Active Partnerships, which serve as crucial links to local systems and stakeholders. These partnerships are essential for the accomplished implementation of the place-based approach.

Tailored Solutions for Diverse Communities

The place-based working model emphasizes a bespoke approach, identifying and dismantling the major obstacles to activity that each location faces. This involves understanding the unique challenges and opportunities present in each community and developing targeted interventions.

Examples of this approach in action include:

• Active Madrassahs in Pennine Lancashire, where over 5,000 Muslim children are leading more active lives through the integration of physical activity into Madrassah learning sessions.
• Activities like football and walking in Calderdale, used to integrate refugees into the community.
• Physical activity programs in south Tees designed to rehabilitate patients, improving their chances of recovery after surgery.

Positive impact and Proven Results

Sport England has been refining this community-based approach since 2018, with data from pilot areas demonstrating the positive impact of these investments on reducing inactivity. Local impact reports highlight critically important progress in various locations.

As an example, in Calderdale, inactivity has decreased by 7% among children and young people and 4% among adults. In Doncaster,the reduction is even more pronounced,with a 12% decrease in inactivity among children and young people and a 2.5% decrease among adults. Greater Manchester now reports inactivity levels among children and young people that are lower than the national average. Furthermore, Withernsea has seen a remarkable 29% reduction in inactivity among people with disabilities.

Executive Perspective on the Place-Based Approach

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, executive director of place at Sport England, emphasized the advantages of this localized strategy and the necessity for a new approach to tackling inactivity.

We’re proud to announce our partnerships with 53 new places today. 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 complete way to tackle inactivity.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director of Place, Sport England

Dodd-Mayne further elaborated on the key components of this approach, highlighting the importance of local spaces and partnerships with various organizations.

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.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne,Executive Director of Place,Sport England

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.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director of Place, Sport England

The initiatives are diverse and tailored to the specific needs of each community, ranging from integrating Active Design into housing plans in Exeter to offering gentle dance classes for older adults in Doncaster to aid in rehabilitation after falls, and establishing football clubs for isolated men in Blackburn.

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.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director of Place, Sport England

the benefits of increased physical activity extend beyond individual health, contributing to broader societal gains.

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.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director of Place, sport England

dodd-Mayne emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in addressing inactivity, advocating for a more collaborative and trust-based approach.

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.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director of Place, Sport England

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.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director of Place, Sport England

Conclusion

Sport England’s expansion of its place-based approach to 53 new locations signifies a commitment to addressing inactivity through tailored, community-driven solutions. By collaborating with local organizations and leveraging local assets, this initiative aims to create sustainable change and improve the health and well-being of communities across the country. The early successes in pilot areas demonstrate the potential of this approach to reduce inactivity and promote healthier lifestyles for all.

Can Hyperlocal Initiatives Really Solve the Inactivity Crisis? An Exclusive Interview

Is a localized approach the key to unlocking a healthier nation? The startling reality is that place-based initiatives are proving far more effective at tackling inactivity than broad-brush national campaigns.

World-Today-News.com Senior Editor (STE): Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading expert in public health and community engagement, welcome.Sport England’s expansion of its place-based approach to combat inactivity is generating significant buzz. Can you explain the core principles behind this strategy and why it’s proving so effective?

dr. Anya Sharma (DAS): Absolutely. the beauty of the place-based approach lies in its hyperlocal focus. Instead of imposing one-size-fits-all solutions,it recognizes that the barriers to physical activity are deeply rooted in the unique context of each community. This strategy emphasizes understanding the specific social, economic, and environmental factors influencing activity levels within a particular area, be it a rural village, urban neighborhood, or even a specific demographic group like the Muslim children in the Active Madrassahs program. This tailored approach, focusing on community assets and partnership building, maximizes effectiveness and sustainability.

STE: Sport England highlights examples like integrating physical activity into Madrassah learning sessions and using football to integrate refugees. How do these hyperlocal solutions address the root causes of inactivity, and what makes them more effective than national campaigns?

DAS: These initiatives are brilliant examples of how place-based strategies tackle the root causes of inactivity.National campaigns often lack the nuance to address the complex interplay of factors affecting different communities. As an example, cultural barriers, a lack of safe spaces, or limited access to appropriate facilities often disproportionately affect specific groups. By working with communities, rather than for them, place-based programs can overcome these hurdles. The Active Madrassahs project perfectly illustrates this—it leverages existing community structures and cultural norms to promote physical activity, making it far more acceptable and accessible to Muslim children. Similarly, using sports like football to integrate refugees fosters a sense of belonging and provides a pathway to social inclusion, indirectly increasing physical activity levels. A national campaign can’t replicate this localized understanding and engagement.

STE: The article mentions collaborations with various organizations,including NHS trusts,councils,and faith groups. How crucial is this collaborative approach to the success of these place-based initiatives?

DAS: absolutely crucial. Collaboration is the lifeblood of these projects. A place-based approach fundamentally requires a coordinated effort by diverse stakeholders. The NHS, as a notable example, can integrate physical activity recommendations into post-surgical care plans, as seen in South Tees. Local councils control access to parks and recreational facilities and can implement designs that encourage movement. Faith groups, like in the Madrassahs example, offer valuable insights into the community’s needs and values.This cross-sectoral collaboration ensures a holistic, interconnected effort that systematically addresses barriers to physical activity—one that’s unfeasible with a top-down approach. The power of these partnerships multiplies impact and increases the likelihood of long-term sustainability.

STE: The data highlighted notable results in several pilot areas. Can you elaborate on the measurable impact of this approach and how it can be scaled up nationally?

DAS: The positive results observed in Calderdale, Doncaster, Greater Manchester, and Withernsea are extremely encouraging. The figures demonstrating decreased inactivity levels among various demographics highlight the potential for significant improvements in public health. Scaling up this model requires a strategic investment in capacity building at the local level, equipping communities with the tools and resources to execute these initiatives successfully. This means training community leaders, providing access to funding opportunities, and creating a supportive policy habitat that embraces this collaborative, bottom-up approach.

STE: What are some key lessons learned from Sport England’s experience that other regions or countries could adopt when designing and implementing similar initiatives?

DAS: Several crucial lessons emerge:

Prioritize community engagement: Actively involve local leaders and residents from the beginning.

Foster genuine partnerships: Build strong relationships with a wide array of organizations.

focus on locally relevant solutions: Tailor interventions to suit the specific needs and contexts.

Invest in data collection and evaluation: Track progress and make data-driven adjustments.

Ensure long-term sustainability: Create self-sustaining programs and secure ongoing funding.

STE: The interview has focused on the positive aspects. What are the potential challenges in scaling up a place-based approach nationally, and how can they be addressed?

DAS: Scaling up requires careful planning and significant investment.one major challenge is coordinating efforts across numerous diverse locations. This involves standardized data collection, inter-agency collaboration, and possibly the development of best-practice guidelines and resource sharing platforms. Another challenge consists in ensuring equitable access to funding and resources for all communities, irrespective of size or socioeconomic status. Addressing these challenges requires a national strategy that supports local autonomy while providing the necessary oversight and guidance.

STE: Dr. Sharma, thank you for providing such insightful perspectives on Sport England’s innovative approach. This hyperlocal focus on community-driven solutions seems to be a game-changer. This interview offers valuable insights for anyone looking to create healthier communities.What are your concluding thoughts?

Can Hyperlocal Strategies Really Solve the Inactivity Crisis? An Exclusive Interview

Is a localized approach the only way to unlock a healthier nation? The startling reality is that place-based initiatives are proving far more effective at tackling inactivity than broad-brush national campaigns.We spoke wiht Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading expert in public health and community engagement, to delve deeper into this growing trend.

World-today-News.com Senior Editor (STE): Dr. Anya Sharma, welcome. Sport England’s expansion of its place-based approach to combat inactivity is generating notable buzz.Can you explain the core principles behind this strategy and why it’s proving so effective?

Dr.Anya Sharma (DAS): Absolutely. The cornerstone of the place-based approach lies in its hyperlocal focus. Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all solution, it acknowledges that the barriers to physical activity are deeply rooted in the unique context of each community. this means understanding the specific social, economic, and environmental factors affecting activity levels in a given area, whether it’s a rural village, an urban neighborhood, or even a specific demographic group – like the Muslim children participating in the Active Madrassahs program. This tailored, community-centric approach, emphasizing local assets and collaborative partnerships, maximizes both effectiveness and long-term sustainability.

STE: Sport England highlights examples such as integrating physical activity into Madrassah learning sessions and using football to integrate refugees. How do these hyperlocal solutions address the root causes of inactivity, and what makes them more effective than national campaigns?

DAS: These initiatives are prime examples of how place-based strategies tackle the essential causes of inactivity. National campaigns frequently lack the crucial nuance required to address the complex interplay of factors affecting diverse communities. As a notable example, cultural barriers, a lack of safe spaces, or inadequate access to suitable facilities disproportionately affect specific groups. By working collaboratively with communities, not for them, place-based programs can overcome these obstacles. The Active Madrassahs project perfectly illustrates this – it leverages existing community structures and cultural norms to promote physical activity, making it far more culturally acceptable and accessible to Muslim children. Similarly, using football to integrate refugees fosters a sense of belonging and provides a route to social inclusion, indirectly increasing physical activity levels. A national campaign simply cannot replicate this profound understanding of and engagement with the local community.

STE: the article mentions collaborations with various organizations, including NHS trusts, councils, and faith groups. How crucial is this collaborative approach to the success of these place-based initiatives?

DAS: Absolutely crucial. Collaboration is the lifeblood of triumphant place-based initiatives.This approach fundamentally necessitates a coordinated effort from a diverse range of stakeholders. The NHS, for example, can seamlessly integrate physical activity recommendations into post-surgical care plans, as seen in South Tees. Local councils control access to parks and recreational facilities and can implement Active Design principles to encourage movement. Faith groups, as in the Madrassahs example, offer unparalleled insights into the community’s needs and values. This cross-sectoral collaboration results in a holistic, interconnected effort that systematically addresses barriers to physical activity—something simply unfeasible with a top-down national approach.The combined power of these partnerships considerably multiplies the impact and increases the likelihood of sustainable, long-term success.

STE: The article highlighted notable results in several pilot areas. Can you elaborate on the measurable impact of this approach and how it can be scaled up nationally?

DAS: The positive outcomes observed in Calderdale, Doncaster, Greater Manchester, and Withernsea are incredibly encouraging. The data demonstrating reduced inactivity levels across various demographics clearly highlights the potential for significant improvements in public health. To scale this model nationally requires a strategic investment in capacity building at the local level, empowering communities with the necessary tools and resources to implement these initiatives effectively. This means training community leaders, providing access to funding opportunities, and creating a supportive policy surroundings that embraces this collaborative, bottom-up approach.

STE: What are some key lessons learned from sport England’s experience that other regions or countries could adopt when designing and implementing similar initiatives?

DAS: Sport England’s experience offers several crucial lessons:

Prioritize genuine community engagement: Actively involve local leaders and residents from the outset.

Foster strong, genuine partnerships: Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with a wide array of organizations.

Focus on locally tailored solutions: Design interventions specifically to fit the unique needs and contexts of each community.

Invest in robust data collection and evaluation: Track progress and use data to inform adjustments and improvements.

* Ensure long-term sustainability: Create self-sustaining programs and secure ongoing, reliable funding.

STE: The interview has focused on the positive aspects. What are the potential challenges in scaling up a place-based approach nationally, and how can they be addressed?

DAS: Scaling up nationally requires careful planning and substantial investment. One significant challenge is coordinating efforts across numerous, geographically dispersed and diverse locations. This necessitates standardized data collection methods, seamless inter-agency collaboration, and the potential progress of best-practice guidelines and resource-sharing platforms. another crucial challenge is ensuring equitable access to funding and resources for all communities, regardless of size or socioeconomic status. Addressing these challenges requires a thorough national strategy that supports local autonomy while providing appropriate oversight and guidance.

STE: Dr. Sharma,thank you for yoru insightful perspectives on Sport England’s innovative approach. this hyperlocal focus on community-driven solutions truly seems to be a game-changer. This interview offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to create healthier communities. What are your concluding thoughts?

DAS: The success of Sport England’s place-based approach demonstrates the power of a truly community-centric strategy. By recognizing the unique challenges and assets of each community and fostering strong, collaborative partnerships, we can create sustainable change and empower communities to improve their own health and well-being. This approach is not just about increasing physical activity; it’s about building stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities. I encourage readers to share their thoughts and experiences in the comments below – let’s continue this vital conversation.