Sport England launches £100m scheme to get people active

Sport England is to invest £100m of National Lottery funding into getting more people active – 12 areas have been chosen as "Local Pilots" to deliver the intensive programme of interventions.

This will lead to "healthier, happier communities," said a statement from Sport England.

The programme will be staged over four years and will aim to create "innovative partnerships that make it easier for people in these communities to access sport and physical activity."

Sport England’s statement added:

"By focusing intensely in 12 areas, we want to identify better ways to address these stubborn inequalities and break down the barriers that stop people getting active, such as poor transport, safety, cost and confidence. And we want to encourage wider, collaborative partnerships which look at how all parts of a community can better work together to help the most inactive. From the transport links and street lighting to the quality of parks and open spaces, to how sport and activity is promoted by GPs. Partnerships will encompass organisations beyond the sport sector such as voluntary groups, social enterprises, faith organisations and parenting groups."

The 12 areas are:

Birmingham and Solihull, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, Essex, Great Exeter, Greater Manchester, Hackney, Pennine Lancashire, Redcar & Cleveland and Middlesbrough, Southall, and Withernsea.

"We’ll work closely alongside each place to devise a tailored approach based on the needs of communities," said Sport England. "Each place is likely to have its own solutions and will have the support from our expert teams."