£356,000 for physical activity in Leicestershire

Prospects4Sport commissioned by Leicestershire and Rutland Sport to co-ordinate a project to increase the levels of physical activity for people across Leicestershire.

The project involved a funding application to Sport England's Community Investment Fund, and this resulted in a £356,000 grant in September 2006. This was matched by £323,000 from Leicestershire's Local Area Agreement and £43,500 committed from local organisations to appoint 11 Physical Activity Co-ordinators across the County.

The new Co-ordinators will work with local communities to increase levels of physical activity and sport so that more people are exercising 3 times per week - anything from chair based exercise, to walking, to more strenuous activities. 

The project involved working with the seven districts throughout Leicestershire and the Local Sports Alliances, to agree the objectives of the post as well as practical details such as employment issues, line management, recruitment, selection and induction.

Andy Reed , Chairman  of Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport, said of the work "this is a tremendous piece of news for physical activity and sport in the County. With the new resources we will be able to make a real difference to activity levels, which will have long term benefits in improving the health and quality of life for people in Leicestershire. This project is not just about getting people to go to the Leisure Centre or Community Centre for a few activity sessions - it's about changing behaviours so that people make their way of life more active for a long time."

John Byrne, Chief Executive of Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport, said " there has been a real commitment from our partners to work together to secure this resource in a very short timescale - there is a real commitment to making physical activity easer to access"