Overview: Active Burngreave has used a 'placed-based approach' to reduce inactivity levels in a deprived, ethnically diverse inner-city ward of Sheffield. The project has successfully engaged and empowered the local community to create a locally driven activity project. Consultation and an ‘Asset Based Community Development Approach’ has ensured the community have been at the centre of all decisions, shaping exactly what delivery looks and feels like. Community Leaders have come together in their support and local groups have been commissioned to provide activities. Activity projects provide weekly opportunities for local residents and are delivered by trusted local groups. The project employs a Community Development Worker, who is crucial to the ability to understand the needs of the community and ensure the project remains customer led.
Evidence of achievement against outcomes: Shephard & Moyes Ltd were commissioned to evaluate the Place Based Funding initiative and the use of an Asset Based Approach. Shephard & Moyes Ltd. have used the Theory of Change Model to evaluate the process and it's impact. The project is evaluated against seven outcomes, selected and developed by the community itself. These are detailed below along with examples of how delivery contributes towards achieving the outcomes.
Headline Statistics to date
- 659 participants involved in activity
- 69 volunteers recruited, trained and mentored
- 140 training opportunities completed by local residents
- 5026 throughput
- 277 different ‘sessions’ have been delivered across the Ward
- Participants demographic reflect that of the areas:
- 64% Asian, 10% Somali, 10% Roma/Slovak, 7% Arab, 3% White British
Increased ownership of deserted spaces: Burngreave Walking/ Running Group- Three Active Burngreave Leaders have received Leadership in Running Fitness Training and have developed a Burngreave running group which meets weekly. This group entered the Sheffield Race for Life Event and will be entering more events in 2018.
Reduced Social Isolation: Aspiring Communities Together are working with women aged 50+, providing low level activity and nutritional support to BME women. None of the group have taken part in sport or physical activity in the last five years, some as much as 20 years since they were last 'active'. Many of the women are socially isolated, dependant on families to support them to get out of the house. The project has trained three local women to acts as 'buddies'. These volunteers collect women from their houses and walk them to the centre and back. ‘Honestly speaking I am not the same, this course has made me gain what I lost in the past. It's the eye opener to me and reminds me I can do more that was I was expecting. I am really looking forward to do more’ AB Participant
Increase understanding of the importance of physical activity: The Active Body Active Mind project has brought together South Asian and Romani women with an aim of improving their lifestyle. Each week women take part in an hour of activity and then nutritional sessions. Women are then tasked with sharing that message with friends and family. The group has grown rapidly, with over 40 women having accessed the provision.
People are more resilient: Details from the Shephard & Moyes Ltd. Progress Report state, "Survey data is showing people are more confident about taking part in sport. With confidence levels increasing from 3.81 to 8.50 out of 10."
Increase in Aspirations: Young people have been involved in positive activities during holiday periods. Young people suggest activity 'gives you discipline and keeps you focused to achieve things'. Some young people stated that activity helps them 'escape from home and gives them a space to feel safe away from drugs on their street'.
Increase in Sustainable Physical Activity: ‘Reach Up Group’ have continued to deliver a multi sport 'club' for BME women. The project has engaged over 20 female and girls, all of whom previously inactive, but now play Basketball every Sunday. One participant stated, “It is the first time I have seen my sister run in 25 years- I didn’t know she could run- but she’s amazing!”
Effective Local Leadership (brokering relationships, influencing and co-ordinating delivery: Due to the success of both the approach and delivery itself, Active Burngreave has been able to broker partnerships locally, regionally and nationally. Learning from this project has been used to inform Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Mayor of London Office's approach to placed based approaches in the UK. Active Burngreave was used as a showcase within the Sheffield LDP submission, and was identified as a highlight on the Sport England visit. ‘Move More’ Sheffield have continued to consult with Active Burngreave on the model of practice and aims to continue this despite an unsuccessful application. Insight from this project has been used to create a model of delivery across Sheffield, as well as internally in the CSP.
Innovation in practice: Feedback from partners, participants and stakeholders has suggested the approach taken to Active Burngreave is different, and it is this approach which has made it successful thus far. The project although sport and activity focussed, remains driven by what is important to the community. Community Leaders understand social issues the community are facing and are passionate about reducing inequalities. This project is focussed on achieving social outcomes as opposed to simply increasing participation in sport. We have utilised local assets and supported them to deliver an effective model which suits the community.
Sustainability: The ethos of this project is working with the community to leave behind an empowered 'workforce' of volunteers, community champions and leaders who will maintain and increase delivery in their community. In many cases this has already happened, with groups maintaining their activity after funding has ceased. The community have begun plans to develop an Active Burngreave Consortium, a constituted group made up of community assets, who will seek future investment to maintain services and activ