Together Active Annual Report 2020-21

Annual Report 2020 - 21

Contents Chair's introduction

4

CEO's introduction

6

Our first six months

8

What we do

9

Our values

10

Our services

12

Open data

18

Social prescribing

20

Cannock Chase wayfinding demonstration project

22

Obesity whole systems approach

24

School Games

26

Primary PE and Sport Premium

28

Children and Young People Active Lives Survey

36

Satellite Clubs

38

Workforce

44

Tackling Inequalities Fund and COVID-19 support

46

Safer Together Through Sport

49

Governance and finance

50

Chair's introduction

Malcolm Armstrong Chair of the Board of Trustees Together Active

There can be few people who would

Together Active as the key charity

have believed that this last year

concerned with physical activity

could have been so challenging for

and sport in our sub-region has a

us as country or indeed for the world

huge role to play in the next 12

as COVID-19 gripped our whole way

months, and beyond, as we launch

of life. Many families in

our new strategy in the "new

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will

normal” world. Fortunately, we are

have been traumatised by the

in a great position to help now that

experience of COVID as we continue

the transition to an independent

to grapple with the effects on the

charity is complete. We have a new

health and wealth of the nation. We

and vibrant team well led and

all have a role to play in keeping

organised by Jude Taylor and Jane

each other safe as we deal with

Kracke and a much more mature

what can only be described as a

relationship with Sport England. I

tsunami of illness which has

am proud of the team and their

affected every aspect of our

energy for change.

wellbeing. There has been an increasing amount of evidence to suggest that some groups in society have been more adversely affected than others and the divisions have been accentuated.

All of the Active Partnerships across

We have introduced interim drop-in

England will be working to address

sessions for Board members; 1:1,

some of the deep-rooted causes of the

pairing of Board members and team

nation’s wellbeing issues. We will be

and a much more effective use of

focused and relentless in our ambition

subgroups such as the PALS

to really work together. We will bring

meeting (Physical Activity

people together through physical

Leadership in Staffordshire). We

activity to improve circumstances for

have established a task group to

those in some of the most deprived

focus on some of the big issue

areas of our county and city. We have

around equality, diversity, and

already begun this work through the

inclusion. We are lucky to have such

Tackling Inequalities Fund which has

a gifted and talented Board and I am

enabled many groups to survive the

grateful for their contribution. It has

pandemic with their doors closed. The

been hugely helpful to me as Chair

process has brought a new

to see so many of the Board

understanding of what actually

members going the extra mile as

happens at the micro level in

something I call “Trustees with

communities and has given us the

responsibility”.

insight to guide our new four-year strategy. There are several other big

I am mindful of the huge potential

initiatives already in place for the

for improving the wellbeing of our

coming year and I look forward to

population through physical activity

these as the team move ahead with

and sport. It is our task in the years

pace.

ahead to coordinate those many groups, agencies, and individuals in

The Board has developed new and

our sub-region to build a stronger,

innovative ways of working and

safer more equitable society. We will

supporting yet challenging the team.

always listen, learn, and act in ways that align with our values. We have quite a year ahead!

CEO's introduction

Jude Taylor CEO, Together Active

Nobody could have predicted 2020.

We realigned our resource to deliver five

A global pandemic impacted all our

strands of activity;

lives in ways we could never have imagined.

Supporting people to stay active Activating our volunteers

COVID-19 is the greatest public

Connecting our sector

health crisis the world has seen in

Supporting our professionals &

over 100 years. It is an event that will

volunteers

leave its mark on our lives and our

Strengthening our community

sector forever, but while times have

groups

been difficult for us all, we’ve pivoted, innovated and found our

I would like to personally thank each

rightful place as a key player in

staff member, both past and present, for

prevention and recovery. I have never

the commitment, dedication and

been prouder to do the work that we

determination shown during this period.

do.

You were, and are, quite simply outstanding.

During the early stages of the pandemic, SASSOT moved quickly to adapt and respond to local need. It became clear that our role as a trusted adviser and connector would be critical.

One of our most significant

This money will ensure that

achievements over the past twelve

organisations will be sustained through

months has been the move to

the pandemic and supported to amplify

independence. In September 2020, we

their sport and physical activity offer to

established Together Active, a

those who need it most.

Charitable Incorporated Organisation, realising our vision of building a more financially stable, responsive, and effective organisation. My thanks to the Board of Trustees, and in particular the Independence Working Group, for their vision and support.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only led to fundamental changes in behaviours but broader societal attitudes towards physical activity. We are taking a greater interest in our physical health than ever before, and physical activity is central to this. During

The delivery of the Tackling

lockdown, exercise was one of four

Inequalities Fund has been an

permissible reasons to leave home; it

instrumental tool in supporting

was considered as important as food

community organisations and our

and medicine. This spotlight comes

priority audiences to maintain

with significant responsibility and

positive activity behaviours

possibility, and we look to the future

throughout lockdown. It has

with great optimism.

challenged us to think about how we

Over the last few months, we started a

tackle inactivity in Staffordshire and

conversation with you, our partners,

Stoke-on-Trent and shone a light on

about our new strategy, Step Up,

the inequalities faced by many of

launching in April. It is as ambitious as

our local communities. Working in

it is stretching and we simply cannot go

collaboration with partners we have

it alone; collaboration is its central

distributed £160,000 worth of

theme.

funding to 44 community groups, with a further £96,000 in process.

We welcome you to come join us as we work towards active lives, healthy futures.

The first six months One of our most significant

We have always recognized that the

achievements of the past twelve

strength of our organization is our

months has been the move to

people, and we were delighted to

independence,. In September, we

recruit four new members of staff and

established Together Active, a

two new Board members, giving us an

Charitable Incorporated Organisation

injection of capacity, skills, and

realising our vision of building a

enthusiasm.

more financially resilient, responsive, and effective organisation.

During the autumn we undertook a significant consultation exercise.

The birth of any new organization

Hearing your views and feedback has

requires detailed planning. A huge

allowed us to shape the direction of

amount of work was undertaken to

our new strategy, but also our

ensure our back office operations

organizational culture.

were effective and efficient, which also included locating a new office

We are excited about the new phase of

space. Unfortunately, due to COVID-

our journey and look forward to

19, we have spent very little time

working with you, our partners, in the

together in our new home, but when

future.

restrictions allow, we look forward to working alongside VCSE partners in The Hub, Stafford.

What we do Together Active is a network of local agencies committed to working together to increase the number of people taking part in physical activity and sport.

We are part of an England-wide network of 43 Active Partnerships and are currently funded by Sport England, along with along with some of our Local Authorities and our two Universities.

Our new strategy, Step Up, runs from 2021 – 25, and focuses on four key areas:

Systems leadership

Environment

Bringing communities, Local

Working with partners to develop

Authorities, providers and health

new ways to enable increased

services together to tackle the

access to the local environment,

complex issues around inactivity,

engaging communities and

obesity and poor physical and

encouraging increased physical

mental health.

activity in nature.

Communities & people

Advice, influence & information

Social prescribing will be a priority

Supporting our networks to signpost

for us, supporting health

into physical activity, reach new

professionals through training,

participants, operate efficiently and

informing and digital technologies to

effectively and have the tools, skills

confidently refer patients into

and knowledge to be able to run safe,

physical activities locally.

inclusive, impactful activities.

Our values We believe in the power of physical activity and sport. We know that even small changes in activity levels can have a big impact on people’s health and wellbeing. We understand that the people who would benefit most are the least likely to take part.

Physical activity changes how we feel, it connects us, and adds healthy years to our lives. We want everyone in Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent to have the opportunity to experience this.

It’s a big job.

Underpinning everything we do is our organisational DNA, our values.

We are focused.

Everything we do will help people be more active.

We are inclusive.

We leave nobody behind. We do not accept that characteristics like age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or income should determine your access to activity.

Our values

We are engaged.

We listen first. We always seek to understand.

We are relentless.

We are passionate about the importance of sport and physical activity.

We are collaborative.

We never go it alone. We work to develop collaborations that are capable of sparking change.

We are effective.

We will demonstrate the impact of our work using clinical, economic and social measures and support our partners in doing the same.

Our services Through our experience and expertise, we have developed a range of services to support local organisations to get everyone more active, more often.

Developing the workforce Expansion into delivering a Physical activity advocacy

course to raise the

training for health

confidence and know-how of

professionals

link workers to socially prescribe activity

Introductory training on the principles of behaviour change

Advice on how to use the ringSports Leaders UK training

fenced Primary PE and School

courses

Sport Premium impactfully and sustainably

Bespoke support from PE and CPD and training for schools to

school sport specialists for

Head Teacher briefings to

assist the improvement of their

individual primary schools to

help ensure requirements

school sport and PE offer

produce a whole-school action

are met

plan

Training on the use and

Guidance and training on how to

Basic safeguarding

application of key insight

monitor and evaluate services

awareness and policy

resources

and interventions

development training

UK Coaching courses including: Recruiting, training and Club Matters workshops

deploying volunteers to support School Games and community activities

Equity in Coaching, Inclusive Activity Programme, Mental Health Awareness, Safeguarding and Unconscious Bias

Developing activity provision Bespoke support to

Advice and guidance on

providers to develop funding

funding opportunities

applications

Brokering relationships to

Co-ordinating larger

improve the strategic fit of

multiagency applications

applications

Delivering the School Games Managing delivery of

County Festival events and

nationally-funded

coordinating the annual

programmes

calendar of School Games events

Raising awareness of funding opportunities through newsletters, funding fairs, workshops, social media and our website

Developing insight and shaping policy Providing objective Using insight to inform

consultative advice and

service delivery and policy

guidance to review and

development

evaluate strategic plans and policies.

Understanding local communities:

Helping Sport England recruit

using data analysis to

schools for the Children &

understand where much needed

Young People’s Active Lives

funding will have the most

survey

impact Facilitation & management Sharing research and insight resources from local and national sources

of networking opportunities to support knowledge transfer and strategic collaboration, with a focus on COVID recovery across the sector

Providing strategic leadership for the sport and physical activity agenda through lobbying and influencing key networks and organisations

Developing marketing & communications

Supporting national physical activity campaigns and tailoring them for the local community.

Creating and sharing inspirational and motivating content for accessing physical activity.

Developing a clear and identifiable personality, known as an expert in the field with well-informed opinions and guidance for the sector.

Being a leader on the uptake of open data, supporting the sector to take up the new technology, providing guidance, insight and information.

Celebrating the successes of our partners and sharing them for a greater recognition of the role they play in supporting the health and wellbeing of the community.

Developing campaigns in partnership with local organisations to bring clear, useful and informative guidance to the community about ways to be physically active.

Open data Active My Way

In 2019 SASSOT began a

As Together Active, we have

partnership with Played and

continued increasing the visibility

Imin to deliver a local activity

of this piece of work. The activity

finder powered through the use

finder is now live at

of open data, called Active My

www.activemyway.org and we

Way.

have been busy supporting local activity providers to open their

Open data allows activity

data so that they can be found

providers to share their

on it.

sessions online, so that participants can find and book

We have held several workshops

them easily. By uploading the

and one-to-one sessions with

details of an activity to one

local authorities and activity

location, activity finders like

providers over the past six

ours, as well as many others

months, and have developed our

such as This Girl Can or

relationship with Open Active,

National Fitness Day’s, can pull

supporting other active

that information through and

partnerships with advice,

display it in multiple locations

guidance and best practice on

on the internet or within apps.

supporting uptake of open data in their areas.

We have worked hard to

COVID-19 has meant that this

develop the platform itself, with

has all been a lot more difficult

increased information about

than we expected.

how to be more active, tips for getting started in a variety of

The strain clubs and groups have

sports, a comprehensive video

been under just to keep going

on demand library with specific

has meant focus on shifting their

activities for people with health

booking systems has been lost.

conditions or disabilities, and information particular to health

However, with our persistence

professionals looking to

and partnership work, we are

support their patients to move

building real momentum which

more.

we believe will create a burst of activity as restrictions ease.

And as part of our work training social prescribers, we are explaining how the activity finder can be used as a tool to refer patients into activities easily, by having the latest, upto-date information at their fingertips.

Social Prescribing We recognise the importance of

In turn, these link workers play an

community connections in

integral role in getting people

creating and maintaining healthy

moving.

lifestyles. Social Prescribing is all about putting the person at

We will also support local

the heart of their choices when it

communities’ groups to become

comes to their health and well-

“referral ready” providing training

being. The referrals link workers

and support to provide a quality

receive generally, but not

experience for people with a range

exclusively, come from health

of backgrounds.

care professionals such as GPs or nurses.

Through training, we will instil link workers with the skills and confidence to talk about Physical Activity and its benefits, all of which is heavily underpinned by the principles and applications of behaviour change theory.

Our activity finder, Active My Way

This will be a particular help in

is an open data powered platform

reaching new participants and

which enables the residents of

increasing physical activity levels.

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to discover and book what

We are also developing our links

activities are available to them

with the health system to aid

locally with ease and

referrals into physical activity

convenience.

through social prescribing, particularly for residents with long-

Working closely with local

term conditions or mental health

providers, we are educating clubs

issues. Active My Way and open

and groups on the benefits of

data will mean everyone can see

moving onto open data platforms

the latest, up-to-date information

and embracing digital.

about their local clubs and groups, and create dynamic routes into activity.

Cannock Chase wayfinding demonstration project As part of providing a legacy

District Council and Cannock

from the Birmingham

Chase AONB Partnership and

Commonwealth Games 2022,

succeeded in securing £200,000.

which features mountain biking events at Birches Valley in

The bid was successful because

Cannock Chase, we had the

of the collective knowledge,

opportunity to bid for some

expertise, and experience of

wayfinding demonstration

partners round the ‘virtual’ table,

funding from Sport England.

all united in the view that Cannock Chase is a beautiful

In a short timeframe we

landscape and an asset which

collaborated with a range of

local people should be able to

partners including Staffordshire

gain health benefits from whilst

County Council, Inspiring

protecting it for future

Healthy Lifestyles, Cannock

generations.

Chase

Greenspace really is our natural

These rest stops will also

health service, and the aim of

incorporate distance way

this project is to connect local

markers with embedded digital

communities actively and

QR codes to measure increases

emotionally from Hednesford

in distance walked and provide

North to Cannock Chase via the

personal fitness targets. The QR

existing Heritage Trail using

codes will be interactive and

innovative and wayfinding tools,

themed with content co-

physical infrastructure

produced by the local community

improvements to trails and

and evolving and changing over

clearer signage.

time, much as the seasons do.

This content will include links to

The route will incorporate

the new Cannock Chase Can app

artistically co-designed rest

which will incorporate several

stops inspired by the natural

wellbeing challenges and goal

landscape of Cannock Chase to

setting tools for this project.

support people with mobility issues, long term conditions and

This project offers a unique

young families to walk from

opportunity to leave a

their doorstep to Marquis Drive

meaningful legacy from the

Visitor Centre, or as far as they

Games to local people by local

would like.

people.

Obesity Whole systems approach As part of our ongoing commitment to health and our strategic relationship with the Staffordshire Health and Wellbeing Board we are working with Public Health colleagues to develop a Whole Systems Approach to tackle the complex issue of obesity in Staffordshire.

Understanding the local picture This involves a 6 phase ‘how to’

There are 3 pathfinder areas for

process from understanding the local

this work, Cannock, East

drivers of overweight and obesity,

Staffordshire, and Staffordshire

engaging a wide range of

Moorlands. Work so far has

stakeholders, including communities,

been around developing the

to conducting system mapping and

local picture, gathering insight,

action planning workshops, to

and mapping local assets and

reviewing and adapting the approach.

services.

There are so many causes of excess weight, but an example of how part of a system influences our choices would be to consider how the physical environment can make cycling and walking an easy and attractive option or a more challenging activity.

40.2% of Stoke-on-Trent children are living with obesity or overweight by Year 6

65% of Staffordshire residents are overweight or living with obesity

What’s next?

The local engagement process will begin in late spring and summer with a series of workshops to consider how the local system is operating and where there are the greatest opportunities for change. Stakeholders will agree actions and decide as a network how to work together to bring about sustainable, long-term systems change.

School Games The 2020 School Games local

All the sports were designed so

competition programmes were

that young people could take

already up and running and plans for

part either at home, in the

the annual Finals Day in June were

garden, at school or in open

well under way when the country

spaces near to where they live.

went into lockdown.

It was important that pupils This meant that, along with the rest

knew that they were representing

of the world, a change of approach

their school and district and had

was needed and on the 1st June

the opportunity to become

2020 the first ever Staffordshire and

County champions. In total 6

Stoke-on-Trent Virtual School Games

final events were held with the

was launched by Together Active

winners being announced at a

and the sub-region’s School Games

virtual presentation day in July

Organisers (SGOs, who manage the

which included both an opening

local competition programmes).

and closing ceremony.

74 young people engaged as volunteers prior to COVID 434 schools involved in the Virtual School Games 2020 581 school teams competing in the Virtual School Games 2020

Virtual events have continued as

Credit must go to all the SGOs,

part of the planning for 2021 with

teachers, parents and, of course,

new ideas and new formats being

young people who have embraced

developed. Events such as Cross

the virtual games and made it a

Country, Dance, the Three Peaks

success. We are now once again

Challenge, Football, Netball,

planning for face-to-face activity in

Boccia, Athletics and Fitness

the not-too-distant future, but the

events are all on the menu, and so

School Games will continue to

far 14,421 children have been

evolve.

involved at local level.

We are looking to explore new Each SGO will shortly collate

ways in which we can provide more

scores from all their competitions,

opportunities for young people who

with the winners being put forward

do not regularly engage in school

to Together Active for the County

sport, or whose activity levels have

Champions to be crowned.

been negatively impacted due to

Medals and trophies will be

COVID-19 and believe the School

presented at a virtual ceremony at

Games is a powerful tool to help us

the end of summer term.

achieve this.

Primary PE and Sport Premium All Primary Schools have the

This provides them with the

objective of achieving self-

knowledge, skills, and motivation

sustaining improvement in the

necessary to equip them for a

quality of PE and sport. Active

healthy lifestyle and lifelong

Partnerships are contracted by

participation in physical activity

Sport England to proactively

and sport.

coordinate support with national and local partners to help primary

Together Active works with

schools maximise the impact of

Accelerate Learning, Stoke City

Primary PE and Sport Premium.

Community Trust and Trentham High School to offer targeted

The long-term vision is that all

school support across

pupils leave primary school

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

physically literate.

During the 2020-21 academic year: 24 Primary Schools have accessed one-to-one in-depth support.

This includes working with the school to develop a long-term vision for PE, sport, health and whole school improvement.

145 accessed Head Teacher/ Governor/ Bursar briefings or updates Covering PE and sports funding best practice and requirements 180+ accessed PE network meetings or virtual PE chat nights 350+ downloaded free resources of supporting materials.

250+ engaged in either face to face or virtual CPD opportunities

We have seen significant increased in the take up from schools this year, due to the flexibility of online and catch-up sessions rather than having to come out on face-to-face events and training.

This work will ensure Primary Schools in our area are supported to achieve the outcomes of the Primary PE and Sport Premium:

The engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity The profile of PE and sport being raised across the school as a tool for whole school improvement.

Increased confidence, knowledge and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport Broader experience of a range of sports and activities offered to all pupils.

Increased participation in competitive sport

School Spotlight PE in difficult times New PE lead Jo Carter at New

She has looked through and

Ford Academy School took on the

updated the PE planning and

role at a difficult time due to

assessment documentation

lockdown and the restrictions

including a progression of skills

placed upon schools.

document ensuring these are aligned to her curriculum aims.

Despite this, Jo has worked hard over the year to review and

She has also been one of the

develop the school’s PE

first delegates to begin the Level

curriculum, physical activity

4 qualification in improving

programme and sports provision.

pupil’s emotional health through

She has used this time to

PE. This has given her a focus

undertake the Level 5 Certificate in

and understanding of wider

Primary School Physical Education

emotional health and wellbeing

Specialism Course and as part of

objectives that can be developed

this has revamped her PE

and improved through PE and

curriculum map, gearing this

she is looking to weave this into

around her vision for what she

her provision as well.

wants pupils to achieve and gain from PE lessons.

Impact

As a result of this work the profile of PE and sport has been raised throughout the school and there is now a cohesive vision and documentation in place to support PE. Pupils have settled well despite the changes and home schooling and are now benefitting from enhanced lessons and increased opportunities on the curriculum. They are more engaged in their learning and their emotional health and wellbeing and resilience has improved.

around PE in the school provides a good grounding for sustainable improvements both in the short and long term and ensures all pupils receive high quality experiences.

S u s t ainability

These changes and the good pedagogy

Primary PE and Sport Premium Virtual support Due to tiered restrictions and

NQTs and inexperienced

national lockdowns, there was a

teachers were targeted to

need to be creative in how local

participate in an online learning

primary school personnel

course with added 1 to 1 time to

experience continual professional

support further needs. Some of

development for the benefit of

the teachers signed up for the

their pupils. Welcome to the virtual

course as they had little or no

era of school support.

training in PE on their teacher training courses, due to Covid or

One illustration of this was that of

in a placement with a class where

Stoke City Community Trust, who

the teacher did not teach any

assessed the need and designed a

Physical Education.

bespoke programme that would still support teachers in their knowledge and confidence in delivering high quality Physical Education.

The delivery focused on upskilling 14 teachers from 12 different schools on specific themes and activities, via a webinar series over two months.

The sessions covered: Principles of Physical Education Physical Education in the current situation with ‘Classroom PE’ and ‘Box to Box’ activities Behaviour Management in Physical Education Planning and Assessment Specific activity related ideas.

All content included takeaway resources, video footage to bring the content to life and time to comment or ask questions.

Further tailored advice for individual teachers including one-to-one online sessions were offered to the cohort.

The idea that Physical Education is not just physical , and that the themes of Social / Emotional and Thinking are equally important, were the most significant messages that teachers took from the course.

Lockdown provided an opportunity for teachers to have some intense training on a variety of PE specific themes and activities.

The virtual training addressed a gap that was not being effectively catered for due to increased restrictions with covid regulations including lack of opportunity to be involved in PE

Impact

lessons.

Some teachers were able to explore the content of the sessions with Key Worker children and reported back their effectiveness, particularly the Classroom based Physical Education ideas.

Every teacher reported an increase in their knowledge, skills and confidence in Physical Education.

Many of the teachers have expressed an interest in further CPD once restrictions are relaxed to build on their confidence with specific support for them with their class.

Teacher feedback “The course has made me reflect on my own teaching and given me new ideas for effective PE lessons.” - NM

“I have learnt that P.E has different elements, I only ever thought of it as physical however I have learnt that it is much more than this.” - RD

“I feel I have more of an understanding and better knowledge of how I can progress the more able children in PE.” - RB

“My attitude and confidence in PE has changed.” - RJ

Children and young people Active Lives Survey Together Active worked alongside

During this unprecedented year,

primary, middle and secondary

Sport England adapted the

schools in Staffordshire and

survey so it could be filled in

Stoke-on-Trent to facilitate Sport

from home, and Together Active

England’s Active Lives Children

worked with schools across the

and Young People Survey,

sub-region to aid the most

throughout a year of rolling

completions as possible, whilst

school closures due to Covid-19,

schools were undergoing

gaining responses from just under

massive disruption and change.

1000 children.

As expected, the resultant The yearly report derived from the

sample was smaller than usual,

survey, summarises activity levels

however the data gathered is

and attitudinal data of children

invaluable to show how

and young people from 5-16 years

lockdowns and school closures

of age. It gives an idea of overall

have impacted on children and

activity levels both in and out of

young people’s physical activity

the school setting, types of

and wellbeing.

activity undertaken, and the impact physical activity has on mental wellbeing, amongst other topics.

Mike Randles, Assistant Head Teacher and P.E. Lead at the William Shrewsbury School, administered the survey with his students during the lockdown period, commented:

‘’The survey was harder to fill in as school circumstances have strict social distancing regimes, but as a school, we’ve been able to see what the children are saying and have implemented lots of Personal Social and Health Education activities on their return so we can try to help them as much as possible…taking part raises the profile of PE across the school and the (final report) is always shared with our Headteacher and governing body. It gets the children thinking about their physical activity levels and motivates some to do more...’’

Satellite Clubs Despite such a difficult year

We have supported 32 new

with lockdowns and Tiers, we

Satellite Clubs this year and

have still managed to support

used funding to sustain 15

the delivery of our Satellite Club

further clubs, nearly all of which

programme.

have actually run on and off through the lockdowns.

Some of our amazing deliverers have integrated an online

In total we have committed

programme to support their

nearly £80,000 investment.

participants (see the case study by Liberty CiC, see page

12 other clubs from previous

40), others have used lockdown

years have also managed to

times to access training and

continue operating in and out of

support for coaching and

lockdowns.

volunteers, and many have tried to stay in touch as much as they can.

“The first time I came to the gym I was shaking. I am on long term medication and had never done fitness activities.

“Since then, I have grown in confidence and I can feel my fitness improving.”

Each of our Satellite Clubs focuses on engaging young people from one of more of the following priority audiences:

16%

of participants had a disability

18%

53%

of participants identified as female

of participants were from ethnically diverse backgrounds

A focus on the most deprived wards in our county

Young people who were not active Young people involved in Anti-Social Behaviour and/or in trouble with the police

“The first session I was incredibly nervous as I hadn’t really seen anyone for months.

“Afterwards, I realised I wasn’t the only one who needed some support. Fiona, the mental health professional who comes is really informative and explains so many things. The coaches are great at influencing and nothing is ever too much trouble for them.

“I’m so glad that I came to this project."

Satellite Clubs “Liberty Striders has been a

“Liberty then partnered in the

lifeline over the previous year for

summer At Home Super-Hero

many of our young people and

challenge and facilitated this

wider involvement of families.

challenge through the Striders at

The programme offers weekly

home. This enabled new young

running/walking sessions for

people to participate and

young people with SEND.

encouraged them to get out to

However due to lockdown we

complete daily fitness, which

have not always been able to

parents and carers said helped

facilitate the programme face to

with their children’s emotional

face, still even with these

wellbeing during lockdowns. We

barriers Liberty Striders have

had three members who are in

grown.

wheelchairs participated in these challenges too.

“During lockdown Striders was moved to an online at home

“When lock down was eased

platform. Initially the club

Striders has been an amazing

challenged the young people to

programme to offer one to one

run weekly, we then got involved

run and offer the opportunity for

with the 2.6 challenge, the

our members to discuss how

national alternative to the

they feel while getting fit and

Marathon. Within this challenge

being out in the fresh air."

we developed a family activity and over 20 families participated in the challenge.

This has been successful in all

“As lockdown was reintroduced

the lifted restrictions throughout

Liberty striders adapted again

the past year and again

and became involved in the

feedback from parent/carers

Winter Wonder Wheels at home

highlighted this has been the

challenge where the young

motivation for their children to

people ran around the world.

come out and keep fit but learn

Over the month the runner ran

to be with others after spending

virtually from country to country,

so long at home with only their

and with the support of friends

families. Parents have said this

from around the world daily

was vital for their children to

messages were sent from

gain confidence outdoors as

England to Africa, India Ethiopia,

lockdown has affected their

Europe, USA, Australia, and New

children confidence and self-

Zealand. These messages

esteem.

supported the young people to keep running. Alongside this

“During the Summer, the staff

Striders developed an online

team also developed a

healthy eating programme with

programme via Striders where

cooking classes weekly from the

the team ran 1000 miles for

different countries.

1000 smiles over the holidays.

This was encouraged by the

“One of the biggest success

young people, which created a

stories of Liberty striders 2020

weekly challenge that all were

was the successful nominations

involved in.

of one of our members for Young Athlete Role Model of 2021 in Staffordshire."

As a challenge from this win and

“Striders coaches, Callum,

to support the last lock down the

Sally, Maggi, and Laura have

young lady challenged everyone

been a real motivational team

to join in a half marathon over 5

and together the Programme

weeks. Shelby Striders challenge

has been a complete Lifeline

was successful again and over

for over 80 people of all ages.

15 young people participated in this.

“Without the support of Satellite Clubs this would not

“Liberty Striders has been a real

have been possible. Thank you

lifeline for many young people

for the support and belief in

and families over the past year,

this programme.”

offering weekly programmes, the opportunity to keep fit, keep motivated, develop a healthy body, and mind and feel Together Active with others even though life was not letting them come together.

Workforce Together Active play a role in ensuring that organisations, volunteers, and professional workforce have the right skills and behaviours to best perform their roles with the customer journey and experience at the heart of their services.

Health Sector Together Active continue to support in supplying the local landscape and resources during Clinical Champion sessions which is all about embedding physical activity into routine clinical care. A commitment has been made to move into Social Prescribing training to equip link workers with the tools in which to feel confident and competent in prescribing activity.

Clubs Thrust into a world of survival, Club Matters workshops have been greatly valued by those organisations on the brink of collapse. Especially those workforce members that seek to support clubs at risk of permanent closure, for example, Helping Clubs in Crisis.

Further, the support to access training in Mental Health has been well received. This training arms volunteers at the heart of the community with the understanding of how to really support those that need it most.

Young Volunteers Despite the challenges that the pandemic has brought and continues to bring Together Active have remained committed to delivering the DfE Volunteer Leaders and Coaches programme.

This has included a diverse range of development pathways and learning, such as training in: Equity in Coaching, Inclusive Activity Programme, Mental Health Awareness, Safeguarding and Unconscious Bias . This will provide young people with transferable knowledge to aid them in future employment.

In the last year: Over 500 people have accessed our training opportunities.

We have engaged with over 50 organisations.

“As we move forward into 2021 we will help coordinate and support opportunities to develop a ‘people like me’ diverse workforce which is reflective of local needs and provides inspiring high-quality activities.”

Tackling Inequalities Funding Dozens of sport and physical

So far, nearly £170,000 has been

activity groups across

shared between 46 different

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-

organisations across the county,

Trent have received financial

and a further £80,000 is to be

support to help them survive

made available over the coming

and thrive through the COVID-

weeks.

19 lockdown.

Board members have supported Together Active has

us with a regular panel meeting

collaborated with Local

that checks that the projects

Authorities, VAST, Support

meet the criteria and then we

Staffordshire and SCYVS to

send to Sport England for their

reach out to grass roots

approval.

community organisations that can deliver to communities with

So far, we have supported 6

long term health conditions,

mental health projects, 8 aging

disability groups, ethnically

projects supporting long term

diverse communities and those

health conditions, 7 community

on lower incomes to distribute

centres, and 3 youth centres.

the ‘Tackling Inequalities fund across the county on behalf of Sport England and the National Lottery.

“In most instances, the money is helping organisations to get services back up and running, either by allowing them to invest in extra cleaning and sanitisation equipment, adapting equipment, or covering the cost of facilities in a COVID-safe way.

"But is has also helped some vital organisations to just stay afloat and pay the bills as organsiations across the country had to shut their doors to their audiences and their income streams.”

“Weekly attendance was the best ever, meaning we could create safe bubbles.

“Everyone did their bit to make it safe and enjoyable, and the spirit and camaraderie was amazing, with not a single case of positive test or need to isolate.

"We hope to continue the success, aided by the funding that you were part of, the critical lifeline without which I think we would have been defunct.”

- WALKING ACTIVITIES, SPORTS & SOCIAL PROGRAMME STAFFORDSHIRE (WASSPS) CIC

“We are still operational in terms of supporting young people in schools through life coaching & 121 mental health support.

"There’s so much to do to support our young people.”

- Ruff and Ruby

“We have had up to 15 people per week, tending the garden and doing a variety of activities to keep them active.

"Having their own equipment and sanitiser has made a real difference, as did the tidying work, prior to opening to make it a welcoming place.

"Because we couldn’t allow service users in until September, it was getting a bit cool to put on outdoor exercise classes, so we tried the art Brazil seated exercise by Zoom for 6 weeks. This has been completed, so we are now going to begin 6 weeks of Zoom tai chi.

"The users of our service are enjoying being back.”

- Rethink Mental Illness

““Thank you so much for the funding which has helped our little club survive”.

- Rachel and the Tumbling Trampoliners team

Safer Together Through Sport Together Active has been part

Despite lockdowns many of our

of the County Sport and Youth

community sports clubs and

Justice Steering Group and has

organisations have taken the

played a key role in bringing

opportunity to do some online

together Youth Offending Team

training, with these courses

Officers and Community Sport

particularly well received:

providers.

Mental Health Awareness It’s been a quiet year due to COVID-19 but we have

Over 250 participants accepted places on the Mental Health

committed funds to support a

Awareness for Sport & Physical

Sport and Youth Justice officer

Activity which was phenomenal.

that will sit within the Youth Offending Team and help establish links between community sport and the young people they are supporting.

ACEs – Adverse Childhood Experiences We circulated this free short online introductory course funded by the Home Office Early Intervention Fund with some really good feedback.

This year we organised another two StreetGames training days in the run up to the Summer.

Governance and finance We are very fortunate that the majority of SASSOT’s Board Members agreed to become Trustees of Together Active, and we carried out skills-based recruitment to fill the remaining vacancies. At the October Board meeting, the SASSOT Board was formally dissolved and all remaining undertakings were transferred to Together Active.

As an Active Partnership we are required by Sport England to meet the requirements of Tier Three of A Code for Sports Governance, and Together Active’s evidence file was recently submitted for assessment.

Financial information: 1st September 2020 to 31st March 2021

Budget

Actual

Balance transferred from SASSOT

825,310

823,643

Income

142,070

356,086

Expenditure

543,894

431,491

Net carry forward to 2021-22

423,486

748,238

Of which Restricted Funds

70,240

272,273

Of which Unrestricted Funds (Reserves)

167,570

176,197

Of which Unrestricted Funds (Free)

185,676

299,768

The Restricted Funds carry forward includes the receipt of grants during 2020-21 where partial delivery will take place during 2021-22.

The Unrestricted Funds (Reserves) carry forward is the amount needed to cover our liabilities as of 31.03.21 A copy of Together Active’s full, audited accounts and Trustees’ Annual Report for 2020-21 will be available on our website once completed.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Together Active will recruit and

Additionally, the organisation will

engage people with appropriate

demonstrate a strong and public

diversity, independence, skills,

commitment to progressing

experience and knowledge to

towards achieving gender parity

take effective decisions that help

and greater diversity generally on

us achieve our vision.

its Board, including but not limited to diverse ethnic communities and

Together Active is committed to

disability, to ensure the Board is

ensuring that our Trustees and

best able to represent the diverse

our Leadership are fully

communities it serves.

reflective of the diverse communities that we serve, and able to represent the views and needs of these communities.

A target of a minimum of 30% of each gender has been adopted for Trustee membership and appropriate action will be taken to achieve and maintain this. If 30% of the membership is not a whole number, the number of people will be rounded up.

Our Diversity in Governance and Leadership Action Plan was approved by the Board in January 2021 and can be viewed on our website.

However, the Trustees believe we have a duty as an organisation to embed the highest standards of equality, diversity and inclusion across our organisation, and to this end we are currently working through The Race Code and undergoing a full review of our ED&I principles, processes and practices.

Progress regarding the number of female, diverse and independent Board members is outlined below:

As of As of 31.02.17 31.02.18 (SASSOT) (SASSOT)

As of 31.02.19 (SASSOT)

As of As of 31.02.20 31.02.21 (Together (SASSOT) Active)

Number of members

11

11

12

12

12

Female

3 (27%)

5 (45%)

5 (42%)

6 (50%)

6 (50%)

Independent

3 (27%)

4 (36%)

7 (58%)

8 (67%)

8 (67%)

Ethnically diverse

2 (17%)

Disability / Long Term Health Condition

3 (25%)

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