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 Smile Through Sport (STS) with TIF funding. This is their story:
TIF funding allowed STS to run Boccia Durham throughout the Covid-19 lockdown and engage with extremely vulnerable people who were shielding. They provided weekly online sessions to people who would have had no contact at all with others.
Some sessions focused on the social side and included quizzes and zoom catch ups. But most sessions focused on online boccia coaching. This ensured those who had no option but to stay inside were able to remain physically active and engaged in their sport.
The purchase of PPE equipment was invaluable to allow the club to reopen. This equipment will keep the club safe and secure for months to come allowing the players to feel more confident in being active within the community. Support with funding venue hire has enabled the club to run with lower numbers attending. This means the club remained financially viable even with social distancing is in place.
STS also provided equipment boxes to care homes, disability organisations and care homes across Durham. The boxes allowed inactive individuals to try a range of activities and sessions in the comfort and safety of their own home before feeling confident to join us in the community.
Following the delivery of this TIF funded project, STS have begun long term relationships with several care homes and organisations, helping them ensure the sustainability of the sessions created through TIF funding.
County Durham Sport are proud to be able to support organisations like Adventure Access to make a difference to the lives of disabled people in County Durham. 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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