Clubs, Coaches, Volunteers News – November 2024
Club & Community Forum Roadshows
Our 2nd Club & Community Forum Roadshow took place on Wednesday 13 November in Medway. A great event for local clubs and community organisations to come together, network and share ideas on ‘Tackling Inequalities: Increasing Participation’. Attendees also had a go at Wheelchair Rugby league.
- “It’s been amazing. So good to network with other people who share the same passion and ideas about increasing physical activity in their communities. Highly recommend.” Attendee
Our next roadshow is on Monday 27 January 2025, 12:30-14:30 at Canterbury Golf Club. The theme will be ‘Funding’. Hear from guest speakers and local organisations who will share their own knowledge, experience and learnings.
Supporting Sport Welfare
Club Welfare Drop-In Sessions
After two successful online sessions we’re delighted to announce that our Club Welfare Drop-In session returns on Monday 20 January 2025, 19:00-20:00.
- “A useful session. It gave me more confidence to fulfill my role and good to know that there is somewhere to go for advice.” Attendee
Come along and join in, or simply listen, as we look to continue to build the sport welfare network, and signpost to the latest guidance and resources available to help support you and your club/organisation.
Follow this link to register for the free online drop-in session
Safeguarding & Protecting Children Workshop
Delivered in partnership with UK Coaching, our next Safeguarding & Protecting Children workshop is on Tuesday 18 March 18:30-21.30 at the Stour Centre, Ashford.
- “A really useful workshop providing lots of information to support my role in coaching and supporting young people.” Attendee
Protect yourself, the young person and your club/employer by understanding and following good practice. The workshop is delivered in partnership with NSPCC and the Child Protection in Sport Unit and will raise your awareness of the tell-tale signs of abuse and give you the confidence to deal with any issues should the need ever rise.
Volunteer Activator Opportunity
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) is looking for more people to join a local team of volunteers and help make a difference in the community. Play your part in helping people in your community play tennis for free at a local park near you.
Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions wouldn’t be possible without the incredible work of volunteer activators. These teams work together to plan and lead fun activities on court as well as collaborating with venues and operators to more people get active and enjoy tennis with free weekly sessions.
You don’t need to be a coach or even have that much experience playing tennis, anyone can become a Barclays Free Park Tennis Activator – The LTA will give you everything you need to succeed.
Small Grant for FANS Members
FANS (Free Access for National Sports People) is a county-wide scheme providing support to the leading sports performers here in Kent and Medway, through free, off-peak access to a number of the county’s sports facilities for personal training and development.
FANS members in full-time education can apply for a small grant to help them with the costs associated with training and competing at a National and International level.
This October, over £5,000 was awarded and shared between 46 current FANS members in full-time education.
Funding Opportunities
Small Grant
Small grants of up to £500 for local clubs and organisations looking to encourage and increase participation in physical activity for those living in Kent or Medway.
Funding could be available to cover facilitator or coaching costs, venue hire, equipment, marketing and publicity for projects such as new programmes, festivals, events, launches or celebrations of activity, that re-engage with previous audiences and/or encourages those new to activity to continue to be active.
Follow this link to apply for a Small Grant
“This support has raised our profile, increased confidence in our mission, and helped us build stronger relationships with local organisations, ensuring a lasting impact on the community”. Find out how Musical Walkabout CIC (Music, Dementia & Wellbeing Walks) benefitted from the Small Grant.
Workforce Development Bursary
Thinking about becoming an activity leader or yoga instructor for your local community group? Perhaps an assistant coach to support your club’s weekly sessions?
Our Workforce Development Bursary can cover up to 50% of the costs (maximum £500) towards qualifications or awards that increase the quantity and quality of leaders, coaches, instructors and officials in Kent, and therefore assist the development of sport and physical activity in the county.
Sport England Social Value Report
New research from Sport England has found that the annual social value of community sport and physical activity is £107.2 billion.
The value is made up of £96.7 billion in annual wellbeing value for adults and young people taking part and volunteering in sport and physical activity. A further 10.5 billion in wider savings to the health and social care system a year.
“Health experts have called physical activity a ‘miracle cure’. We stand ready with our partners across the sector to work with the government to unleash the miracle cure for our NHS, our economy and our future.” Tim Hollingsworth, Chief executive, Sport England
Other News & Announcements
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you
If there’s anything in this newsletter you’d like to discuss, then just get in touch and one of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible. Please email: activekent@kent.gov.uk
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