Lottery windfall for sports projects

A charity that helped a mother cope with severe post-natal depression through sport is one of 18 organisations to benefit from new National Lottery funding.

Sport in Mind, which works in partnership with the NHS, will receive more than £800,000 to deliver innovative sports programmes to help people experiencing mental health problems.

Like all the organisations selected, Sport in Mind was awarded funding as it helps people stay, or become, active after a major change in their personal circumstances.

Alexia suffered badly with depression after giving birth to her second child.

“Although I had everything I had ever wanted; a loving husband, two amazing kids and a fantastic home I felt like something had changed inside of me,” she explained.

“I was referred to numerous self-help groups and these helped slightly, but it was not until I joined Sport in Mind’s groups and started exercising regularly that I really saw an improvement in my condition.

“I had read lots of articles about how sport and exercise can help depression, but if I’m totally honest I never really believed it until it helped me."

She added: “Attending the sessions helped me through some very dark days and enabled me to rediscover the old me, the woman that used to laugh and smile, and enjoy being around people.

“I don’t know where I would be now if I hadn’t gone along to their group. I guess it’s probably not worth thinking about.”

So far, Sport in Mind has helped more than 10,000 people and the charity will use the National Lottery funding to deliver projects across the south east - including 100 areas that are amongst the most deprived in England.

All the organisations selected for funding help people live active lives after changes to their personal circumstances.

Funded projects include a Tinder-style app (Buump), that helps new mums find like-minded exercise buddies, and a project (Silverfit) – set up by Eddie Brocklesby, the oldest British woman to complete an Ironman triathlon – that helps make activity an attractive, fun option for people who are retiring.

Taking part

Our Active Lives Adult Survey showed that there are nearly 15 million people who are regularly active in England, which means they have a resilient habit of sport and physical activity and are enjoying benefits such as enhanced quality of life, confidence, and improved physical and mental wellbeing.

But even people with the strongest habits are at risk of dropping out when they go through a major life change, whether that’s a serious injury or illness, having a baby, children starting school, a new job, moving to a new house or retiring. 

Some people find their way back into the routine but many find it tough to get active again in a way that fits their new circumstances.

People from lower socio-economic groups, women, people with a limiting disability and those aged over 55 are more prone to drop out.

Phil Smith, our Director of Sport, said helping these groups become and stay active was a key part of our overall strategy, Towards An Active Nation.

“We know that when life changes, activity habits can change too,” he said. “Leaving school or college, starting a family, retiring from work, or becoming ill - all big challenges for even the most committed to sport and fitness.

“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, these 18 organisations will explore how to help people keep their activity habits or find new ones. Sport England will support this work and share what works – and what doesn't – more widely among the sport and health sector so that more can be done to help support people to stay active whatever happens in their lives.”

Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, said: "We know that being active boosts mental as well as physical wellbeing so the benefits of it to our busy lives are huge.

“This National Lottery funding will bring sport to local communities by funding projects that make it easier for people to stay active, following a major change in their life."

The projects