New partnership to inspire healthier communities in York and North Yorkshire

We’ve signed a long-term agreement with York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority and North Yorkshire Sport to improve health, wellbeing and economic growth by using the power of movement, activity and sport.

People across the region will get more support to be active under the new partnership, which aims to reduce inequalities and transform communities by aligning investment and action locally – the core principle of our place-based approach.

The chief executive of North Yorkshire Sport, David Watson, poses for a photo with Sport England chief executive Simon Hayes and the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, with pull-up banners promoting the two North Yorkshire organisations on either side of the group.

Our chief executive Simon Hayes was in York to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, and the chief executive of North Yorkshire Sport, David Watson.

Simon explained how the link-up will blend the partners’ national, regional and local leadership, knowledge and networks to make physical activity more accessible to everyone.

"Community sport has a vital role to play in creating healthier, happier communities and stronger local economies," Simon said.

"This partnership is about making that a reality for people across York and North Yorkshire, particularly those who face the greatest barriers to being active.

"Local people know their communities best. Their needs, experiences and ambitions should help shape where we invest and how we work.

"By bringing together our national expertise, the combined authority’s leadership and North Yorkshire Sport’s local knowledge and relationships, we can make a real difference to people's health and happiness.

"This agreement is a strong example of that joined-up approach in action – bringing organisations together, tackling inequalities and making it easier for more people to enjoy the benefits of an active life."

The agreement also aims to improve links between health services and activity opportunities, and to create safer, more welcoming places for children and young people to walk, cycle and play.

It builds on existing investment in the movement, activity and sport workforce in the region, including around £400,000 from Mayor Skaith to strengthen skills, capacity and leadership across the sector.

"Coming together with Sport England lets us bring our regional ambition together with their national vision," said the Mayor.

"Our ambitious Moving Forward campaign is backed by £7m Mayoral funding to support people to move more and live healthier, happier lives.

"Working closely with Sport England, we’ll be able to maximise the impact of this investment and support more people right across York and North Yorkshire."

The MoU brings together our long-term Uniting the Movement strategy with the Mayor’s £7 million Moving Forward campaign and North Yorkshire Sport’s local expertise.

We’ve worked with both organisations for many years and the new agreement sets out how we’ll turn our shared aims into coordinated action.

We’ll develop a joint programme and will look for opportunities to design, fund and deliver work together where it can have the greatest impact.

Our social value of sport research calculates that for every £1 invested in community sport and physical activity, £4.38 is generated for the economy and society.

What the partnership will focus on

Aligning services and investment
Developing the workforce
Joint communications and advocacy
Linking health services with physical activity
Creating child-friendly places
Using data, insight, evaluation and learning

These priorities will guide future investment, strengthen local services and create more opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to be active.

North Yorkshire Sport will play a key role as an active partnership by coordinating work across the region, bringing partners together, sharing evidence and helping to make sure funding and resources have the greatest possible impact.

For local people, this should mean easier access to physical activity and better support for the organisations that help residents get active.

David Watson believes that, by supporting more local people to be active, the partnership has the power to change lives.

"We are proud to sign this agreement with Sport England and York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority," he said.

"It builds on a strong partnership and gives us a clear framework for action in the areas where we can make the biggest difference.

"By working together, we can tackle inequalities, support healthier lives and create lasting opportunities for people to be active.

"We want this agreement to deliver clear results, shared responsibility and meaningful change across York and North Yorkshire.

Next steps

We’ll produce an annual joint work plan setting out areas for collective action, joint resourcing, shared outcomes and measures of success.

Senior representatives from our three organisations will meet each year to review progress and identify further areas for development.

Further reaction

Andy Taylor, CEO of the Active Partnerships National Organisation

“The signing of this MOU is fantastic news for people in the area as these three organisations look to strengthen their alignment and fully utilise the power of sport and physical activity to boost local economic growth, as well as health and wellbeing.

“North Yorkshire Sport fulfilling this co-ordinating role, is a great example of the important part Active Partnerships can play in a combined authority area, convening and connecting leaders and resources across sectors so as to deliver on local priorities."

Our work in places

New partnership to inspire healthier communities in York and North Yorkshire

What the partnership will focus on

Next steps

Further reaction

Andy Taylor, CEO of the Active Partnerships National Organisation

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