Department for Culture Media and Sport
The government
department responsible for
culture, sport, leisure and
the creative industries.
Wired.GOV
A
comprehensive
reference point for UK government news with live feeds from over 100 departments and agencies.
A successful sports policy isn’t just about winning cups, medals and trophies
It can make a significant difference to the lives of individuals, communities and the nation as a whole.
This is why Sport England has set up a Strategic Alliance Team to work with the government on a number of initiatives with a range of challenging, exciting and important objectives. These include:
Physical activity and health
Community cohesion and sport
Neighbourhood Renewal Unit
DFES
Physical activity and health
Sport England is working with the Department of Health on a number of initiatives to promote the health benefits of sport and physical activity.
LEAP
Ten primary care trusts in neighbourhood renewal areas across England have been chosen to run Local Exercise Action Pilot (LEAP) schemes. This £2.6m programme is jointly funded by the Department of Health, the Countryside Agency and Sport England. It is designed to test the best ways of of encouraging people to do more exercise - especially those with health problems or who currently do little or no exercise at all. The pilots will run for two years.
Find out more about LEAPSport, physical activity and health toolboxIn conjunction with the British Heart Foundation, a toolbox for sport, physical activity and health will be produced shortly. This toolbox will provide a series of user-friendly fact sheets, slides and guidance notes on the latest issues in sport, physical activity and health.
Physical activity promotions
Simple, motivating public health messages promoting physical activity are also being developed
Bristol University is undertaking a comprehensive review on behalf of the Department of Health, which would underpin these messages The report willl focus on the scientific support for accumulated physical activity, ie 10 minutes chunks to build up to the government’s 30 minutes five-times-a-week recommendation.
This work will feed into that of the Activity Coordination Team (ACT), a cross-governmental group that works with a wide range of partners to develop a strategy to meet the Game Plan target of 70% of the population becoming more active by 2020.
Community cohesion and sport
Community cohesion is about developing a common vision and a sense of belonging for all communities. It is about valuing the diversity of different people’s backgrounds and circumstances. It’s about positive relationships and similar life opportunities for all.
Sport England has a representative within the Home Office who has been working closely with the Community Cohesion Unit showing how sport can unite communities - especially in deprived areas.
In October 2002, the Government announced it was putting £6m into a Community Cohesion Pathfinder programme with 14 named pathfinder areas. For example:
Plymouth pathfinder
Plymouth is encouraging active citizenship and cross-cultural interaction, especially amongst young people with two new sports schemes. The council has created a skate park in response to popular demand; while the Honkicknowle Street Football League is an ongoing success. Both initiatives give young people from different communities the chance to interact in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
Rochdale PathfinderRochdale’s Safer Communities Partnership expressed particular concern about widespread anti-social behaviour among young people. The Sports United project will focus on socially and economically deprived areas, aiming to overcome feelings of isolation and to break down territorialism/gang culture in a relaxed and non-competitive atmosphere.
Peterborough pathfinderPeterborough's Area Plan focuses on youth work and conflict resolution, identifying two target age groups, under 18s and ages 18-25.
Peterborough is extending its You, Me, Us education programme, which provides information and support within the school environment.
The Unity Football Club, organised by Peterborough City Council's Central Youth Team, fosters cross-community interaction through matches and tournaments. Unity Challenge
Week gave young people the opportunity to participate in activities such as raft building and motocross.
Find out more about the progress of all the pathfinders.
Neighbourhood Renewal Unit
Sport England is currently working with the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit (NRU), which is part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
In March 2004 a toolkit will be launched showing how best to deliver sport and physical activity in renewal areas. This will be used to develop a road map to raise participation amongst the more deprived parts of the country.
The NRU has commissioned research into barriers that stop sport and renewal working together more closely.
Sports organisations are being encouraged to think about how their plans and programmes impact upon renewal areas. Historically, many plans and programmes have failed to take off in the areas of most need so special thought and additional resources may need to be given to the implications and practicality of a programme when rolled out in the area.
Find out more about neigbourhood renewal.
DFES
Sport England also has a placement within the Department for Education and Schools placed within the ConneXions Unit. ConneXions is the government's support service for all young people aged 13 to 19 in England.
Sport and the Arts are now widely recognized as vital means through which young people can be engaged and encouraged and supported to continue their involvement with education - the ultimate objective for Connexions.
A key aspect of our new partnership with ConneXions will be to look closely at the use of sport in this context, to recognise, understand and share good practice and bring together the many partners who can play a part in the delivery of these sporting opportunities for young people.
Find out more about ConneXions