Sport for Confidence Secures 5 Year Sport England Funding

Sport For Confidence Selected By Sport England To Support A 10-Year Drive To Level Up Inequalities In Sport and Physical Activity 

 

Due to an evidence-based demonstration of its ability and ongoing intent to create a more equitable society by tackling inequalities that exist in sport and physical activity, Sport For Confidence CIC is amongst a group of over 120 organisations working in partnership with Sport England to level up access to sport and physical activity across the country. 

 

Sport England research has highlighted, there are many in society who do not have equal access to opportunities which enable them to enjoy the many mental, physical and social benefits sport and physical activity have to offer. Through its 10 year Uniting the Movement strategy, delivered through its carefully selected, funded partners, Sport England intends to give everyone the opportunity to enhance their life experience through improved accessibility to meaningful sport and physical activity. 

 

Lyndsey Barrett, Founder of Sport for Confidence and Lead Occupational Therapist, says: “This funding offers the security and stability we need to be able to move forwards at pace, fulfilling our potential to drive positive change for millions of disabled people across the country, levelling-up disparities and creating a more level playing field where everyone benefits. 

 

“Locally, through our frontline work, delivering person-centred sport and physical activity opportunities for people with a disability across Essex and London will continue to evidence the positive outcomes of our work on both the individual and wider society. Our team of occupational therapists and sports coaches located in various mainstream leisure facilities across the county, will focus on further expanding our network of community health, social care and sports delivery partners to build an ecosystem that change lives for the better. 

 

“Nationally, we will develop the growth, capabilities and capacity of Sport For Confidence, extending our geographical and professional sphere of influence. We will also continue to work with universities and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) to drive education that enables occupational therapists to effectively embed physical activity into care and treatment plans and strengthen connections between sport, physical activity, health and wellbeing. 

 

Jake Turner, Operations Director at Sport For Confidence, adds: “Inequalities are deep-set and it’s going to take a huge collective effort to drive change. Through its Uniting the Movement strategy, Sport England is bringing together a network of partners who, together, have the commitment experience, network and now funding, to transform lives and communities through sport and physical activity. We are absolutely delighted to be able to continue to play an integral and important role in this drive for long-term positive change.” 

 

In total, more than £550million is being invested, with the partners including Sport For Confidence receiving funding for up to five years. This new funding model from Sport England provides longer-term financial security as organisations recover and reinvent from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

 

All partner organisations were selected by Sport England due to their ability to influence change and improvement at the heart of the system they are a part of, no matter how big or small. This is the first step on a journey to revolutionise Sport England’s approach to long-term partnerships as it seeks to partner and collaborate with innovative organisations to deliver Uniting the Movement and build a nation where everyone can get active. 

 

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England, says: “Sport England’s goal is to get everyone active– no matter who they are, where they live, or what their background is. But we know that certain groups – like disabled people – are more likely to be inactive. We can only innovate and tackle inequalities effectively by thinking about long-term change; Uniting the Movement is a long-term vision, and our funding approach needs to reflect that. Changes to our funding model will help us achieve our goal, by making it easier for our partners to do what they need to do to level up and deliver.” 

 

Sport For Confidence will receive expertise, support and an investment of £1,335,090 of government and National Lottery funding from Sport England to co-deliver the ambitions of its 10-year Uniting the Movement strategy.