Sport England’s Tackling Inequalities Fund (TIF) helps to reduce the negative impact of coronavirus and the widening inequalities in sport and physical activity.
TIF was created with £20 million of National Lottery funding to help reduce the negative impact on activity levels in under-represented groups (such as people on lower incomes and disabled people).
TIF has enabled community groups to continue supporting people to be engaged and active through these challenging times.
County Durham Sport supported Blackhall Community Centre in East Durham with TIF funding. This is their story:
Blackhall is a community in East Durham which faces significant socioeconomic challenges. Blackhall Community Centre is an active and ‘lifeline’ venue for many of its community members.
TIF helped to fund the ‘Blackhall Buddies’ – a team of volunteers who support and encourage community members back to the centre. They are a task force of “hand holders” to bring community members who are vulnerable, scared and anxious about leaving their homes since the pandemic, back to the centre.
We asked Blackhall Community Centre what difference TIF funding made to them:
“Blackhall Buddies – that is all…. Hand holding at its best for those that needed it. Without judgement – whatever the reason.” Blackhall Community Centre.
The Blackhall Buddies knock on the doors of community centre members, encourage and walk with those that are ready to come back to the centre and walk them / talk them through the ‘new normal’ at the centre.
The buddies also distributed the physical activity booklets and Winter Warrior activity packs. They talked to community members about the importance of keeping active at home.
County Durham Sport are proud to be able to support organisations like Blackhall Community Centre to make a difference to the lives of County Durham communities. Join us in celebrating the amazing impact of this Sport England funding by sharing your story on social media with the hashtag #TacklingInequalitiesFund.
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