Abouth this microsite
This microsite has been created for you to view the strategy.
Below gives an introduction to the strategy. The strategy is split into sections on the left hand side to make it easier for viewing.
If you would like a paper version of the strategy please ring 01724 297270 or email community.recreation@northlincs.gov.uk
Why Active Choices Active Futures?
'The theme of ‘choices’ in this strategy is important because it shows the desire of all organisations in North Lincolnshire to work together.'
It ensures that whatever your individual or community needs are, opportunities are there to help satisfy those needs in a way you’d like to see.
No one can force us to be ‘active’. And no one can impose the need to do more activity on us; it’s a matter of individual choice. After all, taking part in sport and active recreation, whether it’s a walk in the countryside or playing a game of rugby, is something that is done in our own time. It should be a source of pleasure and enjoyment. However, the fact is that too few of us in North Lincolnshire are playing sport or leading an active life. In terms of our ‘future’ lives, we are all living longer; however the consequences of physical inactivity starting in childhood mean that the quality of later life and the ability to continue to live independently will diminish.
This strategy aims to keep the fun in sport and active recreation, and encourage more of us to make activity part of our everyday lives. Active Choices Active Futures sets out what will be done across North Lincolnshire to improve sport and active recreation services, facilities and opportunities. It also states what will be done to encourage and enable all local residents to live a more active life, taking enjoyment from sport and physical activity, whatever their age or ability. By doing both these things, we hope to make it easier for all of us to choose a future where sport and active recreation plays an important part.
Active Choices Active Futures is divided into six sections:
- Part one - sets out the vision for the strategy. It shows how increased participation in sport and active recreation can contribute to a number of our local priorities. These look at health, safer neighbourhoods, economic well being, lifelong learning and better social care.
- Part two - identifies the key influences, which make this area of work a priority. It gives an outline of government public policy priorities at national and regional level.
- Part three - summarises the local issues that must be addressed. These include health status, socio-economic change, current levels of participation and the infrastructure for sport and active recreation. Links to other local policies and strategies are identified to illustrate how the strategy complements other areas of work.
- Part four - draws together the analysis of the key issues, and develops the strategic priorities.
- Part five - sets out the action plan, for the short, medium and longer term and identifies the specific contribution of the agencies involved.
- Part six - identifies how progress in implementing the strategy will be monitored and evaluated.
Why do we need a strategy for sport and active recreation?
This is the first strategy to focus specifically on sport and active recreation in the North Lincolnshire area.
The North Lincolnshire Community Strategy, Many Faces, One Community (2006) was developed through a large amount of consultation with local people to develop the priorities. The basis of the strategy is achieving community well-being and it specifically identifies the themes of ‘more rewarding leisure’ and the development of ‘healthier communities’. The Community Strategy acknowledges the contribution that sport can make to the quality of life. Taking part in sport and physical activity makes a significant contribution to creating healthier communities. This is done by reducing levels of inactivity. This strategy tries to develop this further. The Government expects councils, other public sector agencies and their partners to work together to ensure that public services meet local needs. There have been changes to the way that local Government performance is assessed (Comprehensive Performance Assessment). There is now greater emphasis on the performance of local Government in contributing to the national participation targets for sport and physical activity. This is set out in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport public service agreement, and in national and regional plans for sport. North Lincolnshire Council has led the development of this strategy in recognition of the importance of increasing participation levels in physical activity. Sport and active recreation can make an important contribution to achieving our shared vision for the area, communities and individuals illustrated below. In particular, the following linkages are obvious:
- An area that is thriving – sport can provide direct employment and positively contribute to economic output.
- Communities that are confident and caring – by providing sporting activities for young people as a diversion from anti-social behaviour, drug abuse and other criminal activity and thereby creating a sense of pride and achievement.
- Individuals can see the difference – by providing sport and active recreation activities locally that promote health and well-being and opportunities
- for social interaction and by using sport and active recreation to raise attainment and address the sedentary lifestyles of many young people.
- Everyone works together – by working in partnership with others, engaging with communities, encouraging participation among hard to reach groups and developing plans for action specific to local neighbourhoods.
This strategy sets out a vision of North Lincolnshire where its residents are more active. It has been developed with key partners. It acknowledges the leadership role of the council and provides a strategic framework for all agencies with a direct involvement or interest in sport, physical activity and active recreation.
3. Strategy development process
The strategy is the result of significant work with stakeholders and the communities of North Lincolnshire, and a range of partner organisations were involved at the outset in shaping its scope and purpose.
The development process involved a significant amount of local research and consultation with local people, the voluntary and community sector and representatives of partner organisations. This included a number of meetings with people from "hard to reach communities." A strategy development workshop, in February 2006, involved a number of partners helping shape the strategic priorities and action planning. This was followed by a number of meetings with key partners to ensure commitment to the strategy and partnership in the delivery of the key actions. The final draft was made widely available to all partners, and includes feedback from public consultation meetings and a questionnaire on the council’s website.
