ABOUT OUR WORK
Those experiencing the most pronounced health inequalities, including Londoners with disabilities and Long-Term Conditions, are most likely to be amongst the least active.
Integrating Physical Activity Within Healthcare
In 2022, London Sport partnered with the Mayor’s Office, OHID – London, ADPH – London, TfL and the Healthy London Partnership to conduct research to understand how Physical Activity was integrated within Healthcare in London, and what appetite and interest existed to expand this.
- Both the Physical Activity and Healthcare sectors report a lack of confidence in engaging with each other.
- There is significant variation in the use of Physical Activity in relation to health conditions.
Using Open Data and Digital Products in Referral settings
London Sport has worked for a number of years on the use of Open Data, Digital Products and Technology within Physical Activity Referral.
Open Data: between 2020 – 2021, we conducted a research project to investigate how local referral agencies might use Open Data to make it easier for their service users and link workers, or other health and social care professionals or volunteers, to find a local Physical Activity or Sport session that is right for them.
London Sport’s work on Open Data is predominantly based on the following products/work areas:
- ‘Open Sessions’ is a free platform that enables sport and physical activity providers to post their sessions to a host of activity finders.
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‘Get Active’ is an activity finder website, powered by Open Data, which makes it simple to see what is happening near you.
Social Prescribing Scheme Software Systems. London Sport hosts nearly 110,000 sports and Physical Activity sessions on its - ‘Open Sessions’ platform. Work is taking place to explore how this data can be linked to Social Prescribing software systems to widen the range of Physical Activity opportunities that Link Workers have access to and can refer into.
London Physical Activity for Health Network
The London Physical Activity for Health (PAfH) Network is convened by London Sport, in partnership with OHID – London and ADPH – London as a means of sharing information and opportunities on Physical Activity and Health. If you’d like to find out more or join the Network – please contact our Strategic Lead – Health, [email protected].
Training for Social Prescribers and other Personalised Care roles
Support for Personalised roles on Physical Activity
With the support of the University of Kent, London Sport has developed training for staff and volunteers working in Social Prescribing programmes or in position to provide personalised support for inactive people. This training is aimed at those able to spend more time and have deeper, person centred, conversations about getting physically active. If you’d like more information on the training, please see the flyer, here or contact Rob McLean on [email protected].
It includes monthly and interim updates and quarterly meetings. If you’d like to join, please contact our Strategic Lead – Health, ([email protected]) and we’ll be pleased to add you to the distribution list.
Resources
- Peer to Peer training (Physical Activity Clinical Champion Training). To book, or for further information, please email [email protected].
- Online resources and web based training from the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK – Moving Medicine.
Royal College of General Practitioners initiative for GP Practices to support patients and staff with becoming physically active – Active Practice Charter’. -
Consensus statement on benefits and risks of being physically active for people living with Long Term Conditions
Campaign and promotional materials to support people living with Long Term Conditions to be physically active – via the Richmond Group of Charities – “We Are Undefeatable“. - The government’s resource for Local Authorities and Healthcare professionals on Physical Activity for the prevention and management of Long Term Conditions – Health matters: physical activity.
WHAT’S NEW
London Sport Launch the ‘London Fit for The Future’ Framework & System Review Tool
Physical inactivity is estimated to contribute to 1 in 6 deaths in the UK, and people with a long-term health condition or disability are twice as likely to be inactive as those without[1].
Recent London Sport analysis of the latest Active Lives data[2] revealed that in 15 of London’s 32 boroughs, adult activity levels fall below the national average, leaving tens of thousands of residents at increased risk of poor health and reduced wellbeing.
WHAT’S NEW
“Health Ready” Community Sport Hubs
Building the bridge between grassroots sport and health
London Sport is exploring how grassroots community sports clubs can become “health-ready” hubs, capable of safely and inclusively supporting people with or at risk of long-term health conditions through trusted physical activity.
WHAT’S NEW
London Sport and Haringey NHS pioneer open data digital patient referrals
Connecting local patients with physical activity opportunities
London Sport, in partnership with the London Borough of Haringey and Welbourne PCN, is helping local people get active by connecting patients directly with community sport and physical activity sessions.
This exciting initiative makes it easier for healthcare professionals to signpost patients and supports the local community to lead healthier, more active lives.