New funding will broaden Get Out Get Active impact
Thousands more inactive people are set to benefit from £4million new funding for Get Out Get Active (GOGA). Spirit of 2012 has awarded a further £3 million to GOGA across the UK, with Sport England investing an additional £1 million into England.
The ground-breaking Get Out Get Active (GOGA) programme began in 2016, created to bring disabled and non-disabled people together to be active. It engages the least active communities in fun, inclusive ways.
The funding comes following the significant impact in phase one, which ends in 2020. It has transformed the lives of many who have never considered regular activity before.
The shocking reality is that disabled people are twice as likely as non-disabled people to be physically inactive. Over 8,000 disabled people are already taking part thanks to Get Out Get Active’s inclusive and accessible approach. In total over 20,000 people have been involved across 18 locations. At the Wales Sport Awards 2018, the programme was the first recipient of the Getting Wales Active Award.
Participants and volunteers have told us about their life changing GOGA experiences. Bill went from taking part in Nottingham’s Golden Gloves boxing sessions to training fellow pensioners. Peer mentor Morris and mentee Stephen have been on an incredible journey, supporting each other to overcome personal challenges and become more active. Activities through Disability Sport Fife influenced three generations of the same family to get active. Fun fit programmes in Northern Ireland have better connected families into their community.
Get Out Get Active is more than being active. It strengthens community spirit, increases confidence and improves mental health. The new funding will enable partners to build on phase one’s success and share learning. 14 new locations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be part of phase two.
Spirit of 2012 is a charity set up with money from the National Lottery Community Fund. It carries forward the spirit of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Their significant investment enables us to gain further learning on how to get those who are least active into activity.
Sport England is a public body and invests up to £300 million National Lottery and government money each year in projects and programmes that help people get active and play sport. It wants everyone in England, regardless of age, background, or level of ability, to feel able to engage in sport and physical activity.
Ruth Hollis, Chief Executive of Spirit of 2012 said:
“I am delighted that the Spirit of 2012 Board has awarded Activity Alliance a further £3m to extend Get Out Get Active for a further 3 years and into new communities across the UK. Get Out Get Active is successfully tackling inactivity, one of the greatest health inequalities of our time, supporting the least active disabled and non-disabled people to become and stay active together. It is breaking down the unnecessary barriers that stop people taking part and changing people’s attitudes about what they and others can achieve. I am delighted Sport England has confirmed their support for GOGA to extend the impact even further in England.
“One of the most powerful outcomes is the way it has provided the social space for people like Morris and Stephen to overcome loneliness and find friendships as well as up their fitness. We are really looking forward to working with Activity Alliance, and the national network of partners, to see the transformational difference Get Out Get Active can make over the next three years.”
Mike Diaper, Director of Children, Young People and Tackling Inactivity for Sport England said:
“Too many disabled people are missing out on the benefits of an active lifestyle. We know disabled people are twice as likely to be inactive compared to non-disabled people – many of whom would like to be more physically active and to take part in activities in an inclusive way alongside their friends and family.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Spirit of 2012 and the Activity Alliance to invest £1 million into the Get Out Get Active programme to increase delivery in England. Get Out Get Active has taken a place-based approach to developing a truly inclusive programme so that people can become and stay, physically active.”
Barry Horne, Chief Executive for Activity Alliance, representing the home nations steering group, said:
“I am delighted that Spirit of 2012 has chosen to continue this life-changing programme. In the last three years, we’ve seen the impact an inclusive approach can have on so many people’s lives. All partners have learnt so much that we can now share across more locations over the next three years. Sport England’s additional investment will make sure we can reach many new individuals and communities across England. By targeting the least active people, we are reaching those who have so often missed out on the benefits of an active life.”
Get Out Get Active phase two will be launched in April 2020, when we will confirm the new locations involved.
For more information on Get Out Get Active, visit www.activityalliance.org.uk/GOGA
