Sport England has welcomed initial signs of recovery in physical activity levels following the Covid-19 pandemic – but warned this trend is “not universal” and pledged to keep “disproportionately investing” in people and places that need more support through its Uniting The Movement strategy.
The latest Active Lives Adult Survey, covering the 12 months to November 2021, shows activity fell 4.4% for those living in most deprived areas (IMD 1-3) compared to pre-pandemic. This contrasts with 1.2% for those in least deprived areas (IMD 8-10).
Sport England reported: “Overall population numbers hide stark inequalities with women, those from ethnically diverse communities, those living in more deprived areas, disabled people and people with long-term health conditions still less likely to be active than others, and the pandemic has exacerbated the inequalities for the least affluent, Asian people, disabled people and people with long-term health conditions in particular.”
INTERVENTIONS
The findings underline the value of targeted sport for development interventions which can help to tackle stubborn inequalities in the most deprived areas exacerbated by the pandemic, and maximise social return on investment (SROI) in sport. An analysis of almost 35,000 beneficiaries across leading sport for development interventions across the Coalition’s network has shown that 64% of participants were from the 30% most deprived areas of the country.
Sport England CEO Tim Hollingsworth said: “Today’s Active Lives report shows how activity levels are starting to recover. That’s testament to the dedication of all of those who worked so hard to bring activities back safely when restrictions started to be eased.
“Though this report clearly sets out the many challenges that lie ahead in supporting people to play more sport and lead more active lives, the key investments and resources we were able to provide during the harshest of restrictions also played an important role in helping sports get back on their feet.
“That the data tells us that this initial recovery is not universal is not a surprise and that is exactly why our Uniting the Movement strategy focuses resources and funding disproportionally towards the people and places that need the most support to be active.”
Andy Reed, Chair of the Sport for Development Coalition, said: “While we welcome signs of overall recovery in physical activity levels, these latest findings underscore the need for our sector to continue to do things differently.
“Coalition members are working predominantly in those communities and with those individuals that have been affected most by the pandemic, because that is where the key health and societal inequalities they are addressing are greatest. This is why we are fully supportive of Sport England’s Uniting The Movement strategy with its focus on disproportionately investing more in the people and places that need more support.”
ENCOURAGED
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston, who delivered a keynote speech at the Coalition’s most recent CEO Forum, said he was encouraged by the latest results but “there is more to be done to tackle inactivity”.
"We are working with Sport England to boost participation and our £1billion investment through the pandemic means gyms, clubs and teams are ready to welcome people back. I urge everyone to follow the medical advice and do 60 minutes of exercise a day for children and 150 minutes of exercise per week for adults."
