Published: July 18, 2024
Image Credit: StreetGames
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network and StreetGames are delighted to announce the start of an exciting new project aimed at leveraging the power of sport to build social connection across England.
Funded by Sport England, The Power of Sport in Communities focuses on supporting sports providers to foster social cohesion in communities facing disadvantage and barriers to participation.
The project is designed to upskill sports providers, enabling them to use sport and physical activity as tools to enhance social cohesion. By bringing people together through shared activities, this project aims to connect individuals who might not normally meet, creating stronger, more inclusive communities.
Key Focus Areas of the Project:
- Women and Girls: Special emphasis will be placed on encouraging the participation of women and girls in community sports.
- Minority Communities: The project will focus on members of minority communities who are currently underrepresented in local sports and activities.
- Individuals with Disabilities: Addressing barriers to sport for those experiencing disabilities will be a primary objective.
Through targeted support and training, The Power of Sport in Communities seeks to create a lasting impact on social cohesion by making community sports more accessible and inclusive. This project will provide important learnings for those looking at the role of sports and activity provision in communities and how to build stronger, healthier and more connected communities.
The project will run in five pilot areas starting this Autumn: Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford, Leicester, and two London boroughs: Brent and Tower Hamlets.
Funding comes from Sport England, with a £250,000 grant provided over two and a half years.
Jamie Scudamore, CEO of the Belong Network, said:
Local sport and activity offers such a valuable chance to bring people together to learn about one another’s lives and begin breaking down negative stereotypes or misinformation they may have seen online. We’re delighted to be working with StreetGames on this project which will place the power and skills in the hands of sports providers who know their communities and the challenges they face. It’s a really exciting approach with the potential to draw so much learning which can be used to help other communities around the UK.
Mark Lawrie, CEO of StreetGames, said:
We are thrilled to collaborate with Belong and Sport England on this vital project aimed at building social cohesion through sport in communities facing disadvantage. By focusing our efforts in key areas, we are empowering local sports providers to bring people together through shared activities. This initiative not only helps to break down barriers to participation but also showcases the powerful role that sport can play in fostering unity and understanding within our communities. Through training and support, we aim to create a ripple effect, enabling others to replicate these successful models and advocating for the importance of sports in social cohesion to policymakers and funders.
To find out more about The Power of Sport in Communities, contact hello@belongnetwork.co.uk