Research: Tackling Inequalities Fund
Shephard and Moyes, March 2022
TIF Evaluation Short Report.pdf
Executive Summary
Active Gloucestershire distributed £150,000 through the Tackling Inequalities Fund. This funding provided by Sport England aimed to reduce the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the physical activity levels of under represented groups.
Research agency Shephard and Moyes carried out an evaluation on the impact and outcomes from this investment.
Approach
Active Gloucestershire distributed funding through three rounds of support. Through this work they:
- Received 107 applications and funded 65. Only 4 were rejected with the remainder supported to further develop their project or seek funding from elsewhere
- Supported new relationships and new organisations with nearly half of the groups who received funding being new to Active Gloucestershire
- Funded a wide range of organisation. 66% of funded organisations did not offer sport, physical activity or movement as a core part of their offer and instead offered a broader range of community activities. Active Gloucestershire also funded opportunities that put foundations in place for people to move more
- Reached smaller organisations with 60% of grants for less than £2,000
- Provided excellent support. 100% of grant receipients valued the support and flexibility offered by Active Gloucestershire
Impact
The funding has created more opportunities for people to move more and to gain the benefits that being more active can bring.
- 100% of funding went to priority groups including 51% of projects supporting lower socio-economic groups and 25% for people with long term health conditions
- An average of 160 people benefited in each organisation that received funding
- Organisations gained new relationships as a result of the funding and also increased their confidence to deliver sport and physical activity opportunities alongside attracting new participants
"Individuals became more connected to their local community and the opportunities helped people manage their mental health‘It has been so helpful and valuable. Thank you. People have really appreciated being able to connect together. Our funding was used towards running outdoor family trails during the pandemic with prizes for the children. Everyone who took part was so grateful to have an organised event to go to (at a time when so much was cancelled) and an opportunity to connect with others. It was very important and positive for people’s mental and physical well being" Funded organisation
Key Learning
The insight from funded organisations and participants has shown how important it is to have a local offer that is delivered by relatable people.
For people with more complex lives it is also important to offer opportunities to move more in a safe, non-judgemental space. Funded organisations showed the value of listening to participants and making sure activities are delivered at a pace that suits them but which also gently challenges them to move outside their comfort zone.
Physical activity by stealth and fun days out were also identified as effective engagement tools.
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