Spotlight shines on supporting Children and Young People at Active Partnerships event

More than one hundred delegates gathered in Birmingham this week to explore and discuss the role of Active Partnerships in the lives of children and young people (CYP).

The event was organised by the Active Partnerships National Organisation and its Director of Relationships, Helen Pring, opened the event along with Geoff Maltby from Active Together.

Helen said: “We know from our research that children and young people are a major priority for the work of Active Partnerships and their partners, especially in relation to place-based working. This event was all about deepening our understanding of what we are trying to do and how we can work together.”

Delegates then heard from Andy Daly-Smith, a board member for the Active Partnerships National Organisation and Professor of Physical Activity and Child Health at the University of Bradford. Andy provided some national context for the work of Active Partnerships, highlighting the clear links to the Government’s missions and emphasised the need for monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

Andy said: “We need to share knowledge across the network and clearly demonstrate our impact, especially in relation to the Government’s missions. For example, we can demonstrate how our work is improving the health of the nation, helping the economy, and supporting a reduction in crime.

He encouraged delegates to continue carefully considering their approach to place-based working, adding: “Think about creating the approaches in your neighbourhood that are sensitive to what your community needs. We’ve got to continue ensuring that the greatest amount of support is going to the people that need it the most, but we also need to look at how we can support the whole community.”

Interactive workshops on the day included a deep dive into the JU:MP programme in Bradford, a focus on Active Environments, how to work with and support the youth justice system, health and social prescribing, a closer look at CYP Strategy and Theory of Change, working with National Governing Bodies, and considering the approach for early years.

Forty Active Partnerships from across England were represented at the event, with several, including North Yorkshire Sport, Active Essex, Rise, Active Devon, London Sport, Herts Sport and Physical Activity Partnerships, Active Together, GM Moving, Active Surrey, and Active Lancashire leading sessions and workshops.

Representatives from Sport England’s team were also in attendance, including Jo Moss, Strategic Policy Lead for Sport England, who talked delegates through Sport England’s key aims and objectives with this area of work.

Jo said: “Sport England has an unrelenting focus on ensuring that all children and young people, particularly those least active, have positive experience in sport and physical activity. We really need to listen to children and young people and their families, and work with them to co-create enjoyable and meaningful opportunities that work for them locally. This is vital, as we know that when young people enjoy being active, they are more likely to take part in sport and physical activity and develop a lifelong love of being active.

“We are working with Active Partnerships through our placed based investment to bring together a range of sectors such as health, education and planning to create solutions that make it easier for every child to experience the enjoyment and benefits that being active can bring.”

Also in attendance from the Active Partnerships National Organisation was Claire Lee who has recently been appointed as Strategic Lead for Children and Young People following her leadership of the Opening School Facilities programme for the organisation over the last three years.

You can find out more about this focus areas for the Active Partnerships National Organisation here and this recent blog from Helen Pring explains how the network is continuing to put children and young people at the heart of its work.