London Sport will partner with Sport England to support three London boroughs – Lambeth, Enfield and Newham – that will benefit from a share of Sport England’s £250 million investment aimed at boosting physical activity in communities facing the greatest barriers.
The investment comes as new analysis from London Sport shows that sport and physical activity generated £18.8 billion of economic and social value for the capital last year. This includes more than £2 billion in wider benefits to society, including NHS savings, improved productivity and reduced risk of long-term conditions. Social value measures the positive impact an action has on society, encompassing social, environmental, and economic benefits.
London’s total social value is driven from improvements to individual wellbeing from participation and volunteering, including:
£2.15bn children and young people (7-16) taking part in sport and activity
£13.1bn from adults (16+) being active.
£1.06bn from adults (16+) volunteering.
Emily Robinson, London Sport CEO, said: “Sport and physical activity generated more than £18 billion of social value for London last year. This shows the enormous potential that exists in our city. But we also know that too many Londoners face real barriers to being active, and the latest research makes clear that billions more could be unlocked if the least active groups, including disabled people and those on lower incomes, were better supported.
“We welcome this increased investment into the capital to help us close this gap. Our approach is centred on working with places and communities, partnering with local organisations and leaders who understand what people need and what assets already exist. By taking this approach, we can break down the barriers that persist and help more Londoners enjoy the benefits of a more active life.”
London Place Partnerships
In Lambeth, the partnership will focus on helping more residents be active in ways that feel accessible and inclusive. Local people will play a key leadership role. in shaping activities that reflect their communities’ needs and experiences. Work will prioritise groups who often face the biggest barriers to being active, including women and girls, older adults, young people and diverse communities.
In Newham, London Sport will bring partners together and use the investment to support stronger collaboration, helping to build the skills and insight needed to create long-term change.
In Enfield, London Sport will initially act as a coordinator to bring partners together and build shared plans. Over time, leadership and decision making will move into the local community as the partnership develops. The focus will be on understanding what is needed to create lasting change so more people can build healthy active lives.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Sport England’s Executive Director for Place, said: “We want everyone, no matter where they live or who they are, to have the chance to be active and healthy. To do this, we’re focusing on places, towns, cities, and communities, where people face the biggest challenges. We are proud to announce a further 27 new Sport England place partnerships, in every corner of the country, bringing the total number of places we are working with to more than 90. We are committed to working with local partners and communities to break down the barriers to physical activity so that everyone has equal access to a more active life. We are excited to see what we can achieve together in Lambeth, Newham and Enfield.”
