The Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund (RSPH Sport for Health)
Sport for Health: How can your team share the good news?
Taking part in sport and fitness is a sure fire way to feel good, and keep healthy too. People involved in sport and leisure know this already, but why do so many people stay away from sport, and ignore one of the cheapest and most effective ways to improve their health?
People avoid physical activity for many reasons, and changing the habits of a lifetime takes time and effort. Sports enthusiasts are well placed to share the good news, and help people to improve their health by becoming more active.
"The potential benefits of physical activity to health are huge. If a medication existed which had a similar effect, it would be regarded as a “wonder drug” or “miracle cure”.
Sir Liam Donaldson – Chief Medical Officer
Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer 2009
Bringing sport into people’s lives
Sport for Health is a two part programme specifically for people who work in sport, either in a professional or voluntary role. It is designed to help them increase the level of physical activity amongst people who do not normally take part in sport. It provides an understanding of how an active lifestyle promotes good health, and a practical approach to understanding the barriers people face and ways to overcome them.
The first day provides a thorough understanding of how sport and physical activity contribute to health and well being, and why behaviour change is so difficult. This leads to a Level 2 qualification in Understanding Health Improvement from the Royal Society for Public Health. This is an excellent starting point for becoming a Sports Health Champion in the community or workplace.
The second day leads on to practical training in how to overcome the difficulties of behaviour change and encourage people to take part in physical activity when they have never done so before.
Together these two courses will provide sports leaders with a clear understanding of the key factors affecting health and well being, and the ability to communicate the benefits of sport and physical activity to others. They will have a better understanding of why many people are unwilling to get involved, and provide them with practical communication tools to influence a change in behaviour.
Funding for London based training is available from The Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund
What we will cover:
Day one: Understanding Health Improvement
1. What leads to inequalities in health, and what is the Government’s strategy for tackling the problem?
2. How can effective communication support health messages?
3. What are the best ways to promote improvements in health and well-being?
4. How can individuals be encouraged to change their behaviour?
5. How can you measure the impact of what you do?
Day two: Influencing Behaviour Change
1. Why people find it difficult to change their behaviour.
2. The most effective ways to open up communication.
3. Practical methods for motivating people to change.
Tailored programmes for your organisation
These two programmes can be run as self-contained one day courses, or as a two day block, taking participants through all the knowledge and practical experience they will need to make a real difference to the health of their community.
We can tailor the content, location and dates to suit your training schedule and the existing level of knowledge amongst your participants, with the second training day building on the knowledge gained on day one. Contact Nicolette Boustaoui on 020 7265 7325 to discuss your options.
Apply for funding from The Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund
Your participants may be eligible for a 75% discount on the cost of these courses thanks to the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund, which is managed by the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure.
This Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund provides subsidised training to increase the number of Londoners working and volunteering in the sports sector, and up-skill those already involved, leading up to the 2012 Games. The Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund will consider applications from London residents who commit to volunteering in London to increase the activity level of people who would not otherwise take part in sport or physical activity. You will need to volunteer for 25 hours over a six month period through a recognised sports club or community group.
For further details of funding email sportforhealth@rsph.org.uk. The full price for each one day course is just £200 per participant and includes lunch, refreshments and full course materials.
Who should attend?
Anyone who works in sport or leisure, whether in a voluntary organisation, sports club or leisure centre, Local Authority or education with responsibility for health education, well being, exercise, nutrition or personal care will benefit from this new programme. This programme is intended for people who want to extend their experience in physical activity and who will be playing a part in the development of healthy communities.
