In some of the most disadvantaged communities in the UK, the pandemic has shed a harsh light on inequality and large-scale digital and socio-economic poverty. Alongside the governments’ levelling up agenda, Sport England has now pledged to deliver the next stage of its 10-year strategy focussing on communities that most need to be active.
Sport England’s plan to ‘disproportionately’ target people and communities, includes improving their access to physical activity, facilities and helping to foster positive health and wellbeing. For communities that are most at risk from unemployment and poverty, this prescriptive approach provides several developmental benefits.
The plan identifies the five major areas where Sport England sees the greatest potential for preventing and tackling inequalities in sport and physical activity:
- Recovering and reinventing following the pandemic
- Connecting Communities
- Providing positive experiences for children
- Connecting health and wellbeing
- Creating active environments
CEO of Sport England, Tim Hollingsworth said:
“The plan also sets out what Sport England’s role in this process will be and offers a roadmap to tackling inequalities and ensuring everyone – regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, or background – can enjoy the benefits of playing sport and living an active life.”
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