ALTERNATIVE FUNDING
Playing for change The government’s new focus on engaging inactive populations is helping to bring the ‘sport for development’ sector into the nation’s consciousness. Simon Lansley speaks to Sue Wicks about Comic Relief’s work in the area
I
t’s 17 years since Nelson
Relief’s remit has been to encourage
Mandela proclaimed,
a tangible social return on the money
“sport has the power to
it invests in sport for social change.
change the world”. Now, at
“It's fantastic that the power
long last, ‘sport for social
of sport is now being recognised on an even wider scale,” says Sue
change’ is going mainstream. Thanks to the government’s
Wicks, strategic lead for sport for
Sporting Future strategy, the idea
change at Comic Relief. “Because
that sport can support society
of the (DCMS) strategy, some of
– from improved physical and
the forward-thinking national
mental wellbeing to economic and
governing bodies are now saying,
community development – has been
‘how do we go out and engage with
thrust onto centre stage. Sport
different groups of people?’
England’s new funding scheme
“This is no longer about assuming
has played a big part in this. New
you know what communities’
funding pots have recently been
needs are, then parachuting in and
made available to organisations that are equipped to help, for example,
delivering something. It's about
Comic Relief’s Sue Wicks
those with a lower income, or older people, to become more active. The idea, however, isn’t new. It’s a similar approach to that taken by Comic Relief over
asking, ‘what do you want and how can we work with you to deliver it?’
have “identified social issues affecting their
It's a long-term commitment.”
communities and the ways in which sport can be used to address these issues”.
The bigger picture
the last 13 years, with money raised by Red
Whether it’s The Boxing Academy
One shining early example of this brave new
Nose Day and Sport Relief funding a range
offering alternative education to hard-to-
world of collaboration is British Fencing’s
of projects that engage under-represented,
reach young people through the discipline,
project with Maslaha, an organisation
disaffected and disadvantaged groups.
ethos and culture of boxing; the Sporting
that aims to raise the aspirations and
Its second round of ‘Communities and
Memories Network supporting older people
self-confidence of Muslim girls and young
Sport for Change’ funding has recently
who are living with dementia; or the 2nd
women. The partnership has been supported
opened, and it is expected that 10 to 20
Chance Foundation working both in prisons
by Comic Relief in London’s East End, and
grants will be made to organisations that
and with people at risk of re-offending, Comic
is now being rolled out in Birmingham.
60 Issue 131 May/June 2017
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