Using an insight driven approach to tackle inequalities within the BaME communities
Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport (LRS) wanted to ensure that our distribution of the Tackling Inequalities Funding (TIF) was made to those groups and organisations most at need and that previously weren’t in receipt of funding from Sport England or other agencies, due to a lack of knowledge of funding streams, or expertise regarding applying for funding. As a result, we set out to ensure our decisions were insight driven.
Our first task was to work with our insight officer, using the Sport England Insight Tool, as well as local health profile information, to determine our most at need communities. Following this, our steering group team then liaised directly with a variety of Local Authority and community partners who we knew had successful relationships and engagement with residents from BaME and LSEG communities, as well as individuals with LTHC.
One of the most recent partners we have worked with to help us engage with local communities is Leicester Ageing Together (LAT). LRS lead on a local falls’ prevention programme (Steady Steps) and after working in close partnership with LAT, they have now referred many individuals from BaME communities in Leicester City. A key aspect is that they have supported us to reach individuals who we would not have been able to connect with before and have helped with wider aspects such as communication and translation.
We understand from both national and local research that BaME communities are facing a lot of inequalities especially during COVID-19. When the TIF was released, LAT was one of the first partners we approached due to their strong connectivity. The LAT understand their local communities and have built a strong rapport with residents. They have been fantastic in adapting their services during this period to meet local community needs.
At the start of COVID-19, LRS created the branding ‘Healthy at Home’. We understand that many residents across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland do not have access to the internet, so we needed to ensure we strengthened our offline offer. To support older adults remain or become more active in their home environment, we created our Healthy At Home packs which included items of equipment and an array of friendly information so they could enjoy fun physical activity, support their strength and balance and their mental wellbeing.
We felt this came hand in hand with the TIF and discussed with LAT how we could send these packs to some of the individuals who are at most in need. LAT staff and volunteers have led on sending these packs out through the food banks and are going to support these individuals via phone, zoom and eventually face to face to ensure they were moving more and sitting less.
We have since engaged with two other partners (Leicester Community Links and The Centre for BaME health) who are also based in Leicester City, to form a subgroup to share good practice and to help these individuals identified long term.
The Healthy At Home packs have started to be delivered and support calls are in process. Once lockdown has been eased in Leicester City, face to face delivery will commence.
Key outcomes of the Leicester City BaME projects;
- Work with non-traditional partners to engage with the right individuals
- Reduce social isolation
- Provide support and guidance to be active at home
- Build confidence
- Supporting individuals to become active within their community