Funding boost for physical activity in city
Funded by Spirit of 2012 and managed by the English Federation of Disability Sport, Get Out & Get Active is a UK-wide initiative that focuses on getting people active and increasing participation so that disabled and non-disabled people can enjoy recreational activity together.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council submitted a bid to the project for funding and is delighted to have been awarded £245,000 to deliver the programme in the city. The money will be used over a three-year period to develop and deliver extra sport, wellbeing and fitness activities and sessions which are inclusive for people of all ages.
News of the cash boost comes as the city recently celebrated officially becoming a UK European City of Sport for 2016. The city council has committed £3.5million to deliver a programme of activity not only throughout 2016, but to help create a legacy of lasting benefits for the city. The funding from the Get Out & Get Active project will be built in to activities planned as part of the City of Sport status.
Commenting on the cash award, councillor Terry Follows, cabinet member with responsibility for leisure, said: “This is fantastic news for the city. The funding will allow us to provide people with a diverse range of activities in their own communities which they can take part in.
“We are only one of ten places in England to receive funding from the project and that is really pleasing, particularly with us being a European City of Sport for the UK. We will make sure this money is used wisely to help improve people’s long-term health and wellbeing, and hopefully encourage people to lead healthier lifestyles and get involved in physical activity.”
Spirit of 2012 is a charity set up with money from the Big Lottery Fund to carry forward the spirit of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The funding echoes the sentiments of the Sports Strategy released by the Government last month, which has put a huge emphasis on how playing sport and being active can have a meaningful and measurable impact on improving people’s lives.
Debbie Lye, chief executive of Spirit 2012, said: “This initiative can help all of us who are concerned about health and wellbeing to learn lessons that will support delivery of the Government’s new strategy for an active nation. We want to ensure that being active is appealing, accessible, fun and inclusive for people of all abilities. We are determined to understand how we can give people the confidence to enjoy more active lives together with their families and friends.”
Barry Horne, chief executive for the English Federation of Disability Sport, said: “I am absolutely delighted that our consortium has been chosen by Spirit of 2012 to oversee such a major investment into communities across the UK. The programme will deliver exciting new opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people to Get Out and Get Active.”