Community organisations help combat the effects of deprivation and offer support

Douglas Samuel examines how a community football academy came to play a key role during the pandemic

Since Spartans Community Football Academy (CFA) was set up in 2006, the needs of the people in our local community

and those who use our facilities have changed – especially during the pandemic. Undoubtedly it has been a hugely challenging year for everyone.

Our understanding of our community has deepened and as a result we can develop stronger relationships and improve programmes and support packages to better serve the needs of local people.

The past year has reminded us of the need to keep evolving, to be able to respond immediately to emerging needs. Helping people to become actively engaged with physical activity and sport is a key tool for preventing obesity and tack ling poor physical and mental health. However, we acknowledge that it is just one piece of a much bigger and complex puzzle.

We know that in deprived communities, the most prevalent issues and concerns are commonly interlinked. For example, financial poverty does not sit in isolation and the impact of living below the bread line will span multiple areas of people’s lives and their health and wellbeing. That is where community anchor organisations like Spartans CFA can play a key role, offering blended services and facilities to tackle some of these issues.

As we return to some semblance of normality, it will be important not to leave anyone behind. the public purse is inevitably going to be stretched, meaning greater demand for community support. Effective collaborationand partnerships will be crucial to creating meaningful and cost-effective

solutions. The extent of the challenge is far greater than anything that could be tackled by one organisation working alone.

A key partner of Spartans CFA is Social Investment Scotland (SIS), who have been by our side from day one. Access to affordable, flexible finance and funding is an essential part of being able to deliver community services, ensuring they are affordable (ideally free) and inclusive.

Over the years, we have developed a close relationship with the team at SIS. They have supported significant projects such as the initial build of the academy and the transformation of the grass pitch toast rot ur fin 2012. importantly, the relationship has also evolved and grown overtime with ongoing support enabling us to adapt and grow.

As we continue to operate in uncertain times, we also recognise that social needs are increasing and that we have an opportunity to do more, offering additional aspects of support within the community. We are, for instance, looking to work more closely with health providers on elements of social prescribing, em bedding physical activityand sport into treatment plans, and we are also hoping to build a larger, sustainable youth workspace. Continuingto partner with like-minded people and organisations will be key .

Covid-19 could prove to be a real turning point for community services. For us, remaining flexible, innovative, agile and responsive to change will continue to underpin our strategy, focus and approach going forward. We exist to help others; it is what drives our people each and every day.

Douglas Samuel, chief executive of The Spartans Community Football Academy