Active Lancashire are playing a critical role in ensuring Tackling Inequalites Funding reaches those most in need. The below outlines the approach that has been taken by the Active Partnership who used current insight and their relationships with local partners to identify that work should target two age groups (under 10 and over 50’s) and families in the three main areas of deprivation, that also have some of the highest levels of inactivity.
Role Active Lancashire has played to date:
-
have strong/trusting relationships with our Local Authorities so we are able to advise and influence at the planning stages to ensure that the project includes steps for sustaining activity beyond the funding i.e. wider partnerships, upskilling etc
-
Used insight to identify those most affected by COVID
-
Used existing relationships with a number of borough and communities partners to identify most appropriate people to reach the target groups
-
Prior work with Progress Housing helped use of facilities
-
Supported writing of application
-
Provide marketing support and advice to partners to help reach communities
-
Support Fylde BC through monthly meetings as project progresses
Active Lancashire have a very positive relationship with many organisations in Fylde including Fylde Borough Council. We approached Fylde Borough Council Sports Development Officer when the tackling inequalities funding from Sport England launched. We meet with Fylde BC every quarter and often communicate between meetings around local issues/ support and collaborative work so had a good awareness of some of the most deprived areas in the borough. With the tackling inequalities funding, Active Lancashire saw this as an opportunity to address any inequalities and barriers to participation in physical activity within those target locations especially as a result of the COVID pandemic which will only have heightened those issues during this time.
Initial discussions with Fylde Borough Council were to target the three main areas of deprivation across the borough, that also have some of the highest levels of inactivity. We looked at targeting two age groups (under 10 and over 50’s) and families.
Fylde council have excellent local knowledge of issues within the area so we saw them as best placed to be able to deliver the sport and physical activity elements of the funding. Discussions also were focussed around partners who will help with the project. These partners are parish councils, streetwise youth club and progress housing. Active Lancashire had confidence in these partners being able to support the project as we also sit on the Fylde Community Grants Panel and the Fylde Children and Families Partnership Group which shares the work and best practice from multiple organisations, including some of the named partners on this project. Progress Housing in particular are a key partner of ours as we lead an ESF funded project called More Positive Together which focusses on developing employability skills for those furthest from the labour market.
During the pandemic, sadly many people may have been made redundant or lost their jobs, so with use of their facilities there is potential for anyone identified as unemployed to be signposted to progress housing for employment support as well. All partners are committed to promoting the project through their local channels via social media and word of mouth. Active Lancashire supported Fylde Borough Council to write the application to Sport England and made suggestions of things to include around local data and inactivity to emphasise the local need within the area. When the project was approved, we informed Fylde Borough Council and they were pleased to be able to make the final plans for launching the project.
We have confirmed that once the project starts, Active Lancashire and Fylde BC will have monthly progress meetings to see how the project is operating and how we may be able to support further. We are keen to obtain case studies and best practice from the activities and hope to be able to visit some of the sessions once the project starts if social distancing guidelines allow. We will also look to see if there are any other issues that have been addressed or highlighted in those areas to discuss further with Sport England.
Photo Credit Jelleke Vanooteghem