What will we be doing?
We will be raising the profile of the role sport currently plays (and could play) in supporting health and wellbeing. Alongside this we will continue to lead targeted interventions such as the 60+ Active Leisure Scheme and Healthy and Active Fund and we will support new areas of delivery as part of the Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales strategy.
Why is this area of work so important?
Sport plays a fundamental role in supporting the health and wellbeing of Wales. We know that encouraging more people to become more active can lead to them living happier, healthier and longer lives. Ensuring other organisations recognise the valuable role sport and physical activity can play will help attract additional resource into the sector leading to more opportunities for people in Wales to become active. Better understanding the barriers people face to being physically active allows us to influence the development of targeted activity to better meet their needs.
What do we know about this area of work?
Sport already makes a huge contribution to the health agenda. The Social Return on Investment report commissioned by Sport Wales highlighted that the social value of improved health is £295m per year to Wales through reduced illness and disease. The report also showed over £2bn in health outcomes as a result of sport participation with volunteering also increasing positive mental health and well-being.
What we are already doing?
- Contributing to emerging Government priorities including social prescribing and the Mental Health Plan.
- Supporting the delivery of the 60+ Active Leisure Scheme, Healthy & Active Fund and Free-Swimming Initiative.
- A lead partner on 5 of the 7 National Priorities outlined in the 2022-2024 Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales delivery plan which recognises the impact of Covid on physical and mental health. This includes leading on the discovery work looking to develop and implement a Daily Active Offer for schools.
- Raising awareness of opportunities including Summer of Fun amongst communities facing barriers to sport and physical activity.
What new work we are going to be doing over the next 3-6 months?
- Develop compelling messaging based on insight to highlight the role sport can play in support of health and wellbeing and use this to explore new partnerships and opportunities
- Determine the role we will play in social prescribing and mental health plans.
How can I find out more?
- There will be regular updates on this work in staff communications and opportunities to hear more about specific projects via drop-in sessions.
- To learn more about our work on the Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales strategy contact Jane Foulkes or Graham Williams.