- Darren Campbell
Think Active are inviting partners in Coventry to join a new collaboration aimed at creating healthier and more active local communities following the announcement of significant investment into the city from Sport England.
Coventry is set to receive £1.5 million over the next three years as part of Sport England’s Place Expansion Investment, which will see National Lottery and Exchequer funding directed into locations around the country identified as being most affected by issues of physical inactivity and health inequalities.
The investment forms part of Sport England’s place-based approach, collaborating with local Active Partnerships around the country to help make physical activity and movement accessible for everyone.
Having evidenced the positive impact of funding in pilot areas since 2018, Sport England has since expanded its Place Partnerships programme to more than 90 areas throughout England, with Coventry among the latest group of priority places selected to receive a share of the £250 million being invested nationally.
As the Active Partnership for Coventry alongside Solihull and Warwickshire, Think Active worked with local partners around Coventry to develop the submission for place investment to Sport England last year.
The new funding is set to benefit priority areas around the city including Henley, St Michael’s and Radford, building on previous projects supported by Sport England in local neighbourhoods such as Canley, Willenhall and Foleshill.
Join our Coventry Physical Activity Partnership launch session
Online, Mon 7 September, 11am-12pm
- Learn more about Place Expansion Investment
- Discover how the Coventry Physical Activity Partnership will work
- Find out how local organisations can get involved
- Hear from Sport England, Coventry City Council and Think Active, with opportunity for Q&A
Sport England’s Executive Director, Partnerships and Place, Lisa Dodd-Mayne, said:
“£1.5 million is a significant investment in Coventry but the real opportunity is what we do with it together. We want to see a city where being active is easier, more accessible and part of everyday life, especially for the people and communities who face the biggest barriers.
“This is about bringing local people and organisations together to change the places, systems and opportunities that shape people’s health. Locally trusted organisations know their communities best and we want to work with people to put decision making in the hands of people that know best. Coventry has a good foundation to build on, and we’re looking forward to working through Think Active and partners across the city to make that change happen.”
In line with this place-based approach, Think Active is working to develop a Coventry Physical Activity Partnership which will bring together local organisations across sectors, collaborating on strategic priorities and collective action towards improving participation in physical activity and long-term health outcomes for Coventry residents.
Organisations interested in joining the Coventry Physical Activity Partnership are being invited to a launch and information session next month. The online session will provide more information about the £1.5m Place Expansion Investment and how the partnership will work, as well as the opportunity to hear from Sport England alongside Coventry City Council and Think Active.
If you are interested in joining the Coventry Physical Activity Partnership and would like to attend the launch session, please register here.
Think Active is a member of the Active Partnerships network, collaborating with local partners throughout Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire to promote the power of sport and physical activity for transforming lives and keeping people living well. Find out more about what we do.
