Source: City of Portsmouth
Portsmouth City Council is working with a consortium of local partners to tackle inequalities and improve health outcomes for Landport and Buckland residents with physical activity and community engagement.
Portsmouth City Council is part of a group of Portsmouth based organisations working together that have successfully attracted a share of funding from Sport England.
The consortium, coordinated by Active Partnership Energise Me, has been formed to collaboratively tackle inequalities and improve health outcomes for residents in Landport and Buckland by helping them to move more.
The investment covers the first year of a three-year programme. Landport and Buckland is among the 53 places set to benefit from a share of Sport England’s £250million investment into the heart of communities across England.
The first stage of the investment will see the group deploy Community Coordinators through local organisations to work with communities to understand what will help them to move more.
Landport and Buckland were highlighted by Sport England as a place for investment using inactivity insight and other social need indicators, to target funding in areas it could have the biggest impact.
Inactivity data for Portsmouth indicates over 14,000 children and young people are not meeting the recommended activity levels for good health. Over 52,000 adults in Portsmouth are not meeting the guideline.
Sport and physical activity contribute significantly to the health and wellbeing of residents. Just last month it was announced the potential social value combining the wellbeing benefits that individuals experience and cost savings to public services like healthcare in Portsmouth is £363 million.
Made up of local government, health and education partners and community and charitable organisations, the groups will initially focus on engaging with the community to find out the things that get in the way of people being active. They’ll also be looking to identify what great work is already going on in the community that can be built upon.
Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibility for Culture, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “The council are pleased to collaborate on this programme, which aligns with our ongoing commitment to improve outcomes and opportunities for residents through the physical activity offer in the city.
“We welcome this opportunity to work alongside local partners and with residents, to learn what could support more physical activity in their local areas, particularly for those who may be experiencing barriers to keeping active.”
Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health and Care at Portsmouth City Council said: “Staying active is important for our health and wellbeing, both for physical and mental health and it can bring opportunities to meet and connect with others in the community.
“This funding will provide a boost to the communities in Landport and Buckland, and importantly, the programme will be co-produced with communities so we will develop local solutions together.”
Place Development Lead at Energise Me, Lee Timothy said: “Landport and Buckland already have such a great sense of community. It’s been fantastic to see so many people step forward to be a part of creating happier and healthier communities.
“It’s a truly collaborative effort. Everyone’s relationship with movement is different and by working with community coordinators we’ll able to test opportunities residents have told us they enjoy, leading to more sustainable participation in being active.”