Clubs, Coaches, Volunteers Newsletter March 2024
Tackling the Inequalities Gap
Active Kent & Medway is committed to reducing the inequalities gap in sport and physical activity for under-represented community groups.
The Together Fund was launched in 2023 as a continuation of Sport England’s Tackling Inequalities Fund, which was part of a support package to help the sport and physical activity sector through the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.
This Impact Report captures the successes, the impact and the learnings from the Together Fund across Kent and Medway, to assist funders, partners and deliverers who support those most in need.
Clubs and Facilities Support
More and more clubs and facilities are looking at ways to save money, to diversify their offer and to become more sustainable longer term. The rising energy costs, along with general maintenance, usage and insurance costs means clubs and facilities need to think differently about every £1 spent.
Active Kent & Medway is keen to support sports clubs and facilities on this journey, to offer advice and guidance, whilst sharing examples of best practice along with the experiences and learnings of others. We caught up with Charlie from Folkestone Invicta FC and Paul from Maidstone Hockey Club to hear how the clubs are benefiting from their LED floodlight conversions.
We’ve pulled together some relevant resources, guidance and case studies from our partners to support the Halogen to LED conversion.
Funding Opportunities
Active Kent & Medway Small Grant
Do you know a local sports club or community organisation who’s looking to encourage and engage more people in sport and physical activity? Whether it’s children, young people and/or adults, perhaps they need some help with coaching costs, venue hire, equipment or publicity?
They can apply for the Active Kent & Medway Small Grant today.
Up to £500, could be available to cover facilitator or coaching costs, venue hire, equipment, marketing and publicity for projects such as new activities, festivals, events, launches or celebrations of activity. The Small Grant can help you re-engage with previous audiences to continue to be active and/or encourage those new to the sport or activity to have a go.
CrowdFunder
Sport England and CrowdFunder have teamed up to make £7.5million of match funding available to help the sport and physical activity sector to recover, reinvent and build resilience. Get up to £10,000 to keep your community physically active.
As part of the Active Together programme, Crowdfunder is running a series of FREE online workshops to show sports clubs and teams how crowdfunding can be an effective way to raise funds.
Training Opportunities
Free Training on Asthma
Asthma is the most common long-term medical condition in children and young people and sadly, every year, children continue to avoidably die from asthma.
The NHS has training available for all who care for children and young people with asthma to help improve their understanding and awareness of the issue.
We encourage anyone who supports children and young people with asthma to complete this free online training (Tier 1).
What is Buddle?
Buddle is the new home of Club Matters, sharing the latest information, training and tools to help clubs and organisations overcome challenges and make the most of the opportunities available to them.
Check out the latest listings and course descriptions, then book your spot on one of their upcoming webinars or workshops.
Free Access for National Sports People
Are you a top sports performer living in Kent? Perhaps you know someone in your club or organisation who is?
The Kent FANS (Free Access for National Sports People) scheme provides support to the county’s leading sports performers through free, off-peak access to a number of the county’s sports facilities.
Join over 300 local sports performers of ALL ages, representing over 40 different sports and receive a number of benefits to help with training and competitions. If the sports performer is still in full time education, they can also apply for a small grant to help with costs associated with training and competing (grant applications open February and September). Find out if you or someone you coach is eligible for the scheme and the benefits you can access to help you stay in the best possible condition.
Feedback from existing FANS Members
Sport Welfare Project
Active Kent & Medway is committed to promoting good practice and safe sport for children, young people and adults at a local level.
The Sport Welfare Project is being driven by two Sport Welfare Officers within the team, Stuart and Jimmy, who are part of the new national network of sport welfare officers.
Stuart and Jimmy are keen to hear directly from clubs who want to discuss their welfare and safeguarding needs. They can provide additional support by helping the Club Welfare Officers embed safeguarding policies and procedures, as well as sharing good practice. They are also keen to strengthen links across organisations working on welfare and safeguarding to support safe and inclusive experiences in clubs.
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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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