Sport for Development: A Whole New Ball Game 19 th November 2015

1. Sport for Development: A Whole New Ball Game 19th November 2015 FIELDS OF DREAMS Understanding the purpose and value of Douglas Eyre Sports Centre and urban playing fields Alex Welsh, Chief Executive

2. SELLING OFF PLAYING FIELDS IS OFTEN THE REASON GIVEN FOR A decline in grassroots sports participation Young people getting fatter Increased anti-social behaviour and gang related crime The latest ignominious England exit at the group stages of another World Cup

3. HOWEVER………. Aside from as a figure of speech, playing fields were not mentioned once in the Government’s recent consultation document for its new Sports Strategy

4. THE BAD NEWS

5. WHY PLAYING FIELDS ARE VULNERABLE They cost money to modernise, manage and maintain The Comprehensive Spending Review is likely to squeeze LA’s even further They can provide a large capital receipt if sold The insatiable demand for more homes puts enormous pressure on open space There is a lack of political and public awareness of the wider contribution that playing fields make It is easy for sports grounds to fall into a cycle of playing field decay

6. THE CYCLE OF PLAYING FIELDS DECAY

7. WHY SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT IS SUCH A DIFFICULT SELL? Too much emphasis has been placed on participation statistics Funding streams are predicated on throughput and a “bangs for your buck” approach Assumption that projects will be self financing at expiry of funding cycle Working with disadvantaged and vulnerable groups is expensive in terms of money, time and effort Results might not be immediately obvious Reduction in revenue grants

8. THE GOOD NEWS

9. WHAT THE FIELDS OF DREAMS REPORT FOUND At Douglas Eyre Sports Centre the report calculated that the organisations using the facility from April 2014 to March 2015 delivered a minimum cost saving to the public purse of £4,805,928

10. BREAKDOWN OF SAVINGS

11. WHY WE COMMISSIONED THE FIELDS OF DREAMS REPORT Provide an evidential tool for better playing fields protection Prove to donors/funders that well managed playing fields can lead to sporting, economic, health and social benefits Promote the value of our work Initiate partnerships with like minded organisations Provide a counterpoint to the playing field model where there is a return of 38p for every £1 spent in the maintenance and management of the site Social return on investment

12. HOW THE REPORT CAN HELP Inform local and central government of the true value of playing fields to the communities they serve Be used as a lobbying tool against the disposal of playing fields Inspire public and private sectors to invest in playing fields Provide a model of best practice for other playing field providers to follow Inform local, regional and national strategies Change the mindset from short to long term perspectives

13. SO WHY IS THIS PLAYING FIELD MODEL SUCH A GOOD EXAMPLE? LPFF’s vision follows the 4 M’s Modernisation Management Marketing Maintenance

14. SO WHY WAS THIS PLAYING FIELD SUCH A GOOD EXAMPLE? Mix of users “Horses for courses” approach Appreciation of wider outcomes Credibility Leadership Innovation Partnerships

15. COPING THROUGH FOOTBALL Coping Through Football, which began in Waltham Forest in 2007, is a transformational project that demonstrates how two sporting charities (LPFF and LOT) can work with the NHS (NELFT) to produce a sustainable recovery model approach to engage with and improve the wellbeing of young to mid life adults who have mental health problems. Now delivered in 4 London boroughs and expanded to include 12-17 year olds.

16. WHY IT IS NEEDED Mental illness is the biggest form of disability in the UK Suicide is the second biggest killer of 20-40 year old men Mental health accounts for 28% of the national disease burden but only receives 13% of NHS budget Social and economic cost of mental illness is £105 billion per year People with mental heath conditions are 2 – 4 times more likely to die prematurely The life expectancy of people with schizophrenia is 16 – 25 years less than average Half of lifetime mental disorders start by the age of 14 Early intervention results in savings of £2,087 per person in improved employment and educational outcomes

17. WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE Good attendance Evidenced improvements in physical health and wellbeing A sense of belonging Happier service users Increased levels of confidence and self esteem Reduced levels of anxiety Lots of interaction and improved relationships Greater willingness to participate in other activities Less reliance on acute care Service users living more independent lives

18. WHAT IT PROVES Sport can help tackle stigma and discrimination Sport and health can work together on shared agendas to reduce inequalities Sport can be a tool for engagement with harder to reach groups Sport can assist in the recovery of those with mental health problems Sport can help to reduce NHS costs There is no sport unless you have places where it can be played

19. WHAT MAKES IT WORK Recognising that it is not about football outcomes Creating the right environment around the sporting experience Building on existing best practice Partnership working – shared vision, planning and working Clinical and coaching credibility Coherent referral system Accredited assessment and evaluation procedures Consultation with service users Importance of being positive, proactive and persistent

20. IMPLICATIONS OF THE REPORT FOR OTHER PLAYING FIELDS PROVIDERS Usage underpinned by sports development principles Have a wide customer profile Give users a sense of home – somewhere to play and practise Seek and develop partnerships with like minded organisations Be innovative in engaging with disadvantaged and under represented groups Acquire additional income streams to cross subsidise development work

21. COPIES OF THE REPORT A copy of the full report and Executive Summary are available to download from our website: www.lpff.org.uk For further information please contact me on 020 7713 8684 or Alex.welsh@lpff.org.uk Follow us on Twitter: @TheLPFF