Welcome to the North-West Active Partnership Forum learning page hosted by Active Lancashire. This page was originally created, to provide further learning for those completing the Physical Activity Provider Survey, which explores physical activity providers understanding and experiences of Social Prescribing. The survey went live in February 2022. However, our aim is to keep this page available after the survey closes, so clubs, organisations, trainers and community groups providing movement-based activities, can continue to access and refer back to the below learning, should they wish.

This survey and learning page forms part of a wider piece of work being undertaken by the 5 Active Partnerships in the North-West and Sport England and is being led by Active Lancashire. Over the coming months, this forum will be talking with and collecting the opinions of a range of organisations and individuals involved in social prescribing. Together, working alongside link worker schemes, health partners, physical activity providers and other bodies/agencies, we hope to ensure physical activity contributes as much as possible, to the health and wellbeing of those referred into social prescribing.

To learn more about social prescribing do keep reading and if you have not done so already, please click on the following link and complete our survey, to share with us your thoughts and experiences. (NOTE: if you intend to complete the survey, please do so, before reading the below text). Thank you in advance for taking part: 
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/North_West_Active_Partnership_Provider_Survey/

How do Link Workers find out about Local Provision?

Link Workers (Community Connectors / Social Prescribers) try to find a broad range of activities to which they can refer, to support their clients. However, more than half of the Link Workers we surveyed told us, that they did not have enough knowledge of what physical activity provision was available in their area. Across the North-West, most Link Workers said that they found out about provision online and through word of mouth through either internal or external colleagues. So what might this mean for how you promote your activity if you are already involved in social prescribing? It could suggest having a good online presence is important. Alternatively, it might suggest that speaking to Link Workers/Social Prescribing scheme leads or their colleagues is a good idea, telling them about your activity. Please be mindful, however, this is the general picture in the North-West region, but in each county, borough or neighbourhood, Link Workers may find activities in other ways. You could try speaking to your local Link Worker, Social Prescribing scheme, local CVS or Active Partnership, to find out the best ways to let them know about your activities. Lastly, while these might be the most common ways activities are found presently, it does not necessarily mean they are the best. Your organisation, club or group might develop equally or more effective ways of letting those who need to know, about your activity.

Overcoming Barriers to Physical Activity

Many people experience barriers when attempting to engage in physical activity. Sometimes it can be challenging as a physical activity provider to spot these barriers and attempt to address them. Being aware of the most common barriers will give you a good start to review your offer and evaluate if you have appropriate measures in place. By addressing the barriers your clients may face, you are increasing the chances of them engaging in your activity(ies). Some common barriers might be associated with:

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Education/ awareness of benefits of physical activity
  • Lack of disposable income to engage in physical activity
  • Lack of accessibility for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions
  • Religious backgrounds
  • Ethnicity and lack of visible role models

By understanding what barriers your clients may face, you can begin to take action to reduce the impact these barriers can have. For example, if you find you are struggling to engage a female audience, consider the environment the activity in which the activity takes place. Is the venue clean/tidy? Alternatively, do advertisements and images firstly feature women, but also with a range of body types? Do you have female staff/volunteers with whom your female clients could relate or go to for support?

Another example is your clients lack of disposable income to engage in physical activity. Are you based in a deprived area? Do your clients come from disadvantaged background? Are you able to make the sessions free to attend or work with the local transport provider/ council to offer transport to your facility?

Related links:

The benefits of having conversations with your participants/future participants and having them help shape your activities

It can be really useful to engage participants in open-ended conversations where you informally/formally collect their opinions, alongside questionnaires and other means. You could take this a step further and involve them in the decision making and the running of your club, group or session.

Allowing attendees and potential attendees to shape your activities in these ways, can give you valuable insight in to how people experience your activity and could help you: attract new members and underrepresented groups; ensure attendees remain safe; be certain participants are enjoying your sessions; encourage people to feel valued and part of your club/group/class; and keep attendees coming back for more!

We have produced a tool to help you consider, just how much say might be beneficial, for your participants have in how your activity is delivered. The Participant Empowerment Scale may help you choose the right level of participant ownership, to suit your activity and organisation.

The tool explains options that allow your participants a greater or lesser say, in shaping your activity offer. Some of the options enable physical activity providers, to put the wants and needs of a community, social group, service users or participants, at the very heart of what they do.

The model was in part inspired by Arnstein’s Ladder of Participation, which can be found online. How much is your activity, powered by its participants?


Active Partnerships
Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership
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