The Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and its Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) share a common need for quality-assured data on participation, attendance, attitudes and related factors across its sectors.

Up-to-date information is needed so that the reach of the activities sponsored by the DCMS can be measured in order to inform policy and planning.

The Taking Part Survey gives detail on adult (16 plus) participation and attendance covering all DCMS sectors that will provide the ability to carry out statistically robust analysis at cross-sectoral, socio-demographic sub-group and regional levels.

The Taking Part Survey started in July 2005 and ran continuously for three years until July 2008, with an annual sample size of around 27,000 per year.

The Taking Part Survey has a sports element which includes information on participation in active sport, levers and barriers to participation, and other data around volunteering, and specatatorship of sport.

Annual reports

NEW! The Taking Part Survey annual report 2006/2007 - published on 21 August 2008.
In 2006/07, the second year of the survey, 24,174 interviews were conducted with adults aged 16 and over. The summary report and accompanying workbooks highlight the results from Year 2 of the survey  More


On 10 May 2007, the Taking Part Annual Report 2005/6, based on data from the first year of the survey, was published. To view the 'Active Sport' chapter of the Annual Report, click here. To view all the chapters (other cultural sectors and Introduction) of the Annual Report, click here

PSA progress reports

Taking Part Survey: Progress report on PSA3: Results from the first six months of year three, published on 26 June 2008. More

Taking Part Survey: Progress report on PSA3: Final estimates from year two published on 13 December 2007. More

The Taking Part Children's Survey

The children's element of the Taking Part Survey involves interviewing approximately 3,000 11-15 year olds each year to find out about thier engagement in sport and other cultural activities.

On 2 October 2008, results from the second year of the survey were published. The report compares data from the 2006 and 2007 childrens survey. More.

On 25 October 2007, the first years results from the survey were published. This report sets out the baseline levels of engagement amongst 11 to 15 year olds. The information and future analysis from the survey will help Sport England to better understand those who do, and do not, engage in sport . More info.

For further information on the Taking Part Survey, visit the DCMS website.