£442,800 funding for families to get active

LEICESTERSHIRE County Council has been awarded £442,800 of funding from Sport England to help low-income families get active with their children.

The authority, working in partnership with the Leicestershire Home-Start charities, the district councils and Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport, is one of the first to receive investment from a £40m National Lottery funding pot.

The scheme, which will be piloted initially in Harborough district and North West Leicestershire over in the first year, will include:

• Working directly with families to assess physical activity needs, and co-produce a bespoke activity plan with achievable, time related goals

• Weekly visits from volunteers who will review their physical activity plans and help with difficulties they’ve faced and attend activity sessions with families to boost their confidence and help them develop a manageable routine

• Tailored, affordable family activities run by the district council’s physical activity development officers

• Free or low cost physical activity opportunities featuring outdoor gyms, parks, bike routes and use of leisure centres.

Following the initial pilot phase, the project will roll out across the county.

Coun Pam Posnett, county council cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “The scheme will work around getting parents to encourage their children to take part in low-cost, enjoyable activities which they are able to take part in.

“It is important that families enjoy the benefits that taking part in physical activities can have. Not only will it help reduce the risks of long-term physical conditions, but it will also help with their mental wellbeing.”