The results and analysis have come in, following consultation based around a regional event, a questionnaire survey and six focus groups which clearly demonstrate under-representation in sport amongst priority groups, according to the Active People survey. The focus group meetings focussed, respectively, on participation and access issues for disabled people; black and ethnic people; older people; people living in areas of rural deprivation; people living areas of urban deprivation; and women and girls.

A draft report has been prepared by Sport Structures Ltd., summarising the consultation work conducted between October 2006 and February 2007. We would welcome any additional feedback and comments on the report. Meanwhile, the results will be used to inform the Equality in Sport Strategy for the South West.

Findings and recommendations from research in the South-West

Findings

• Local level organisations; respondents suggested more local level initiatives and “on the ground” methods of working
• Communication; highlighted as a core area to be improved
• South West region; geographical range was highlighted as having a negative impact on the development of partnerships, projects, inclusion and sustainability
• Funding; funding distribution methods and short term funding
• Monitoring and evaluation; to develop processes of funding, information sharing, communication, and partnerships
• Equality awareness; promotion and marketing of equality in sport in the South West would help to raise the equity profile and the value of equality in sport to the region
• Workforce representation; respondents low in BME and disabled people
• Other important issues discussed in the current report are associated with partnerships, Sport England support, regional level of operation, marketing, training and development, the value of equality in sport, ownership, transport and wider priority groups.

Recommended actions

• Awareness campaigns at local level
• Practical support for implementation of policy
• Promotion and information accessible for those outside of the sport community
• Research of rural isolation in the South West
• Funding applications based on good practice, evidence through monitoring and evaluation and on merit for projects and organisations
• Distribution policy adopted to ensure funding is filtered to the appropriate areas
• Develop practical, concise and measurable monitoring and evaluation tools for equality in the region
• Provide ongoing support and guidance for use of monitoring and evaluation tools
• Develop marketing and publicity strategies to increase participation in under-represented groups
• Production of regional project database and mapping to provide a link between awareness and availability of activity
• Promote representation in the workforce
• Time, funding, training for workforce to improve equality awareness.

The full report can be accessed here

If you wish to discuss the findings and recommendations further, contact Jonathan Calderbank 020 7273 1844 or e.mail jonathan.calderbank@sportengland.org