Mind responds to Sport England's new strategy to tackle inactivity
Today Sport England announced a new five-year strategy to get the most inactive people exercising. The strategy includes a significant amount of new funding that builds on insights of programmes like Get Set to Go.
In response, Paul Farmer CBE, Chief Executive of Mind, says:
"We are delighted that Sport England’s new five-year strategy will tackle inactivity with a significant investment of public money being used to target those that will gain the most.
"We applaud Sport England’s vision for a sport sector that welcomes everyone and meets their needs – including those of us living with mental health problems.
"We know that having a mental health problem can be a significant obstacle to being active, so we are delighted that the new strategy acknowledges the impact that ‘Get Healthy Get Active’ initiatives like our Get Set to Go programme are having to the lives of people involved.
"Over the last two years, and with Sport England support, Get Set to Go has helped people with a range of mental health problems improve their fitness levels and self-confidence through:
- targeted, one to one support and group support in eight areas
- peer support from our online community Elefriends
- freely available information and resources to motivate and encourage physical activity.
"A significant feature of Get Set to Go is the inclusion of volunteer peer supporters so we are pleased that the new strategy identifies the dual benefit that volunteers get from being involved. As one of our volunteers told me recently: 'I do get quite a sense of wellbeing from being able to help people effectively and also I hope that will help me to coach myself'.
"We are looking forward to working with Sport England to share learning from our work and ensure that having a mental health problem is not a barrier to enjoying and participating in sport or physical activity."