Eight in ten (79%) Londoners who participated in physical activity or sport thanks to Tackling Inequalities funding from Sport England have told London Sport they’ve become more active.
In a survey, which marked the end of the Tackling Inequalities Funding (TIF), London Sport found that three in four (75%) participants felt ‘more connected to others’ after re-engaging with physical activity.
The survey results demonstrate just a small part of the impact that the Sport England’s Tackling Inequalities Fund, launched in April 2020, has had on the capital over the past two years.
Many respondents cited how TIF activities helped them take critical first steps; to leave households, socially connect in public settings, and overcome safety concerns linked to covid-19.
London Sport has distributed more than £600k of investment into 75 organisations across 26 boroughs, supporting the development and delivery of 82 projects for less active Londoners.
Specifically, we distributed to groups working with people with long-term health conditions, deaf and disabled people, lower socio-economic groups and ethnically diverse communities.
Funding was weighted towards areas with the highest levels of deprivation, such as Barking & Dagenham, Croydon, Newham, and Southwark (23 projects across these four boroughs).
One Southwark project saw Coin Street Neighbourhood Trust work with Kings College University to offer women sole access to a gym facility at weekends with support from student athlete mentors.
Elsewhere, London Sport Awards winners Rathbone ABC delivered weekly non-contact boxing sessions at Churchill Gardens with the residents’ association, youth club and Met Police.
“I feel fitter with more energy and really enjoyed helping the coach with the younger kids. I feel I have more confidence and self-discipline.”
“The Tackling Inequalities Fund was a vital lifeline for many clubs and organisations during the worst of the pandemic and we’re grateful to Sport England for their support during this period.
“Too few Londoners are accessing high-quality physical activity and sport and are therefore missing out on the substantial physical, mental and social benefits that moving more creates.
“Next, we’ll be using Together Fund investment to tackle the inequalities exacerbated by covid-19 and provide long-term sustainable solutions for inactive residents to increase their activity levels.
To keep up to date with London Sport’s work to reduce the negative impact of covid-19 and help clubs and organisations working with inactive communities via the Together Fund, click here.
