A Sport and Physical Activity Framework for Angus
Contents 1 Introduction and Vision 2 Purpose of Framework 3 Background and Local Context 4 Strategic Outcomes and Aims
Introduction and Vision I
n Angus we aspire to have a Sport and Physical Activity Framework which brings together partners with the shared vision of creating, promoting, and enhancing opportunities for sport and physical activity to build a healthier, resilient, and more prosperous community. The vision for the Framework is that ‘Angus is a place where an active life is accessible for all’.
This Framework will support local stakeholders in the planning and delivery of sport and physical activity investment, services, and opportunities through a clearly defined set of strategic outcomes, objectives, and measurable action plans. The Framework has been developed by a range of Community Planning Partners and key stakeholders from voluntary and statutory sectors. The framework is based on the Scottish Government’s Active Scotland outcomes.
Active Scotland Outcomes We encourage and enable the inactive to become more active
We encourage and enable the active to stay active throughout life
We develop physical confidence and competence from the earliest age
We improve our active infrastructure – people and places
We support wellbeing and resilience in communities through physical activity and sport
We improve opportunities to participate, progress and achieve in sport
All partners (1) have agreed that the overarching aim of this work is to reduce inequalities and maximise shared resources using a targeted approach where appropriate. Physical inactivity contributes to nearly 2,500 deaths in Scotland each year and costs the economy approximately £91 million per year (2). It is widely recognised that there are a range of ever-changing factors that impact on a person’s ability to lead an active lifestyle, and further investigation is required locally through a partnership approach to understand these in Angus. “Physical activity and sport are a powerful force in transforming lives. There is clear and growing evidence of the health, economic and social benefits physical activity and sport can bring. Physical activity and sport improve the health of the heart, skeletal
muscles, bones and blood, the immune system and nervous system, and enable people to live longer, healthier lives. Being active improves psychological wellbeing, boosts self-esteem, plays an important role in maintaining a healthy weight and improves mood and sleep quality. Physical activity and sport can also play a major role in improving outcomes and tackling inequalities across many different aspects of our lives and society. Positive changes being achieved through physical activity and sport initiatives in Scotland include improving mental health, supporting weight management initiatives, overcoming loneliness and isolation; reducing reoffending; promoting sustainable forms of transport; and enabling people to connect with the natural environment (4).”
1. A full list of partners can be viewed in appendix one of the framework. 2. NHS Health Scotland February 2020: www.healthscotland.scot/health-topics/physical-activity/physical-activity-overview 3. Each week, adults should accumulate at least 150 minutes (2 1/2 hours) of moderate intensity activity; or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity; or even shorter durations of very vigorous intensity activity; or a combination of moderate, vigorous, and very vigorous intensity activity. UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines September 2019 4. Scottish Household Survey 2019: annual report
Purpose of Framework T
he Framework will contribute to the national Active Scotland outcomes and the main priorities in the Angus Community Plan: • Reducing child poverty • Improving mental health and wellbeing • Improving accessibility and connectivity in the communities of Angus. The Framework will underpin the work of the Angus Sport and Physical Activity Planning Partnership (the Partnership), a collaboration between ANGUSalive, Angus Council, NHS Tayside, sportscotland, Dundee and Angus College, and third sector agencies. Our ambition for the Framework is that it is not only limited to the partners involved in the Partnership but will also be adopted and used as a key reference point for all partners across Angus such as transport, planning and relevant private sector organisations. The Partnership will monitor and evaluate progress against the agreed outcomes. The Framework demonstrates a commitment to work collaboratively to achieve the agreed outcomes and brings a level of accountability amongst the key stakeholders. Whilst some partners are taking the lead in developing and implementing aspects of the framework, its success relies on all partners fulfilling their commitment to each of the outcomes. The Framework will recognise the impact and positive contribution undertaken by our local clubs and communities and aim to ensure: • • •
Accountability amongst the key stakeholders Integration of the planning and delivery of sport and physical activity Data collection and analysis for planning, prioritisation and demonstrating impact
Background and Local Context
T
he Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic presented significant challenges to all aspects of life in Angus, including the sport and physical activity sector. Amidst cancelled events, remote working, uncertainty around projects and funding, and concerns for the well-being of people in our communities, club and community sport and physical activity experienced a very challenging period. Whilst there have been many challenges, for some this period also brought opportunity, with new ways to be active and engage with others. Sport and physical activity organisations across Angus have always shown resilience, with individuals and organisations stepping forward to support their local communities, particularly those most in need. Local clubs and community trusts support residents with befriending calls, food bank donations, walk and talks and free essential transport. Angus have always had a strong network of community sport clubs, a positive volunteering ethos,
an abundance of natural resources and a variety of facilities where a diverse range of sport and physical activity opportunities are available. The Framework will support and empower everyone in Angus to access an active lifestyle, while recognising the challenges faced by individuals, clubs, and community organisations. The pandemic has taught us all to be more adaptable and responsive to community need and the Partnership are committed to continuing this approach to ensure that the sport and physical activity opportunities in Angus continue to meet the ever-changing needs of our communities.
Strategic Outcomes and Aims Outcome 1: We encourage and enable the inactive to be more active Current Context: To achieve our vision of Angus being “a place where an active life is accessible for all’, a key priority is understanding and breaking down barriers to participation for residents that are inactive. Traditionally, 55% of pupils do not engage in extracurricular activity through Active Schools. In 2019 the Scottish Household Survey showed that nationally 69% of children achieved the recommended level of 60 minutes physical activity per day. 66% of adults were shown to be meeting the recommended level of 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.
In 2021, the top three barriers identified by Angus residents preventing engagement in an active lifestyle were time, work, and accessibility. When asked about potential solutions, residents cited more variety, flexible times and affordable opportunities that would most help them become active. There are currently a range of inclusive physical activity programmes, including GP referral schemes, Move More and Go Swim, an adult and family beginners swim programme. Improving the awareness of these already established programmes, in addition to new opportunities will enable residents to better understand what is available and how it can be accessed. All sport and physical activity organisations within Angus should value all individuals, giving equal access and opportunity to all and removing discrimination and other barriers to participation.
Local Outcomes: In Angus we will...
Potential Solutions: We will strive to...
• Through a culture of inclusive planning and practice we will ensure people feel they belong and are welcome, engaged, and connected to sport and physical activity in Angus
• Utilise the GOGA initiative with the residents of Angus to engage in a wide range of activity, targeting inactive disabled and non-disabled participants to be active together
• Commit to working with partners to ensure the implementation of the National Physical Activity Pathway and Social Prescribing Approach encourages, enables, and supports local people to regularly engage in activity that is appropriate and important to them
• Develop links with social prescribers and work in partnership with Voluntary Action Angus to input physical activity related questions into patient surveys used by social prescribers
• Collectively work in partnership to commit to implementing Get Out Get Active (GOGA) for the population of Angus to engage in a wide range of activity, targeting inactive individuals, with or without a disability, to be active together • Commit to understanding our target population groups and the challenges they face, actively striving to gain a better understanding of barriers to physical activity and sport •
Support children and young people that have been most impacted by the pandemic to adopt a more physically active lifestyle.
• Gather insight from partners that will help identify the inactive moving forward • Facilitate community engagement to work with inactive groups to ensure sustainable and appropriate interventions • Use all available data sets to inform future planning • Work with Family Development Workers in supporting identified families who would benefit from physical activity opportunities, developing appropriate interventions • Work with School Leaders to identify young people who are vulnerable, inactive and require focussed physical activity interventions • Work closer with Angus Health and Social Care Partnership to identify areas of greatest need and support the local adult population with targeted activity opportunities, provided through Community Sport Hubs.
Outcome 2: We encourage and enable the active to stay active throughout life Current Context: We know that physical activity levels decrease the older we get. However, the benefits of staying active throughout life are significant including improved wellbeing, reduced depression and anxiety and a decreased risk of premature death. It is therefore vital that Angus is a place where you can be active throughout life. There are currently a range of excellent opportunities to stay active within Angus, whether in an education setting through one of the 560+ clubs offered through Active Schools each academic year or the Dundee and Angus College wellbeing initiative opportunities that promote pathways across 34 sports. Additionally, Angus boasts a strong club community, with over 80 sports clubs accredited to the
Angus Club Excellence scheme across 26 sports, complemented by six Community Sports Hubs . ANGUSalive offer a variety of inclusive programmes that engage over 1.5 million visitors to ANGUSalive facilities each year, with offerings from pre-school classes through to adult fitness programmes and sport specific sessions aimed at individuals with disabilities and additional support needs. The COVID-19 pandemic presented new challenges for residents that have traditionally been active. Normally, 45% of pupils engage in 39 different types of extracurricular activity within school. However, during the pandemic pupils missed out on key transition stages putting them at risk of becoming inactive. Adults have been unable to access the classes, gyms, clubs and other opportunities they normally would. For this reason, it is important we continue to have a focus on re-engaging the previously active, ensure opportunities are clearly promoted and support more Angus residents to stay active throughout their life.
Local Outcomes: In Angus we will...
Potential Solutions: We will strive to...
• Ensure there is clear and collaborative communications approach for engaging residents in sport and physical activity
• Improve engagement with wider community groups (e.g. from community councils to Angus Walking Festival)
• Support more Angus residents to take part and stay involved in local clubs and activities
• Develop a localised consistent platform for advertising the breadth of available opportunities across all partners
• Provide young people with wider health improvement experiences in the senior phase, enhancing transition from school into further education and local communities
• Improve the connection between the offer in schools and the offer in local communities and facilities.
• Support previously active participants in the recovery from the pandemic
• Develop parallel activities to cater for parents in tandem with children’s activity sessions
• Better understand the reasons for drop off in participation at key transition stages and develop targeted approaches to address this.
• Include specific competencies and experiences in the Senior phase physical education curriculum, that lead to a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Outcome 3: We develop physical competence & confidence from the earliest age Current Context: Developing physical competence and confidence from the earliest age is essential for young people to stay active throughout life. In Angus it is achieved through our approach to quality physical education, physical activity and sport (PEPAS) experiences. Instilling this as early as possible enables us to have the best chance of staying active throughout life. By providing an extensive professional learning programme to support all teachers/early years practitioners, physical literacy is developed from an early age and our young people are equipped with the ‘tools’ to participate in physical education, physical activity and sport throughout their lives. Angus schools are committed to deliver 2 hours/2 periods
per week of physical education to all children and young people and leadership programmes exist across upper primary and secondary stages, developing transferable coaching, officiating, and organising skills. Within Angus’ higher and further education, there are extensive industry relevant qualifications enabling our students to further grow and develop. Physical education consistently drives attainment within Angus Secondary Schools, with insight analysis demonstrating this trend. Over the last 3 years an average A-C pass rate of 94.19% has been achieved at National 5. Rates of 87.42% at Higher and 83.52 at Advanced Higher has also been achieved over this period. Throughout the covid-19 pandemic, our young people did not receive the same levels of provision to develop their physical confidence and competence as they normally would. Establishing equity, access for all learners and safeguarding our resource for quality physical education delivery are all challenges we will need to overcome.
Local Outcomes: In Angus we will...
Potential Solutions: We will strive to...
• Ensure a consistent physical education framework and quality delivery across all educational settings to support our children and young people to improve physically literacy
• Ensure all children and young people are provided with the national recommendation of 2 hours /2 periods a week of physical education (to develop physical confidence and competence)
• Ensure all children and young people to have the knowledge, understanding, skills and motivation necessary to equip them for a healthy lifestyle and lifelong participation in physical activity and sport
• Provide annual, up to date and effective physical education professional learning for all primary and secondary school practitioners
• Ensure support is maintained from the team of Primary Physical Education Specialist Teachers for all practitioners and learners in primary schools • Provide opportunities for all primary aged children to engage in learning to swim • Instil an inclusive policy where all learners are provided with opportunities to access the National physical education curriculum in secondary schools.
• Ensure early years, primary and secondary practitioners work together to ensure continuity and progression in learning across all stages • Retain Primary Physical Education Specialist Team providing support (planning, learning, and teaching) to practitioners where required. School Leaders to identify the development needs of primary practitioners and allocate physical education specialist support time as appropriate • Develop a Forest Schools offer to engage all schools in developing the confidence and competence of young people in the outdoor green environment, and in a greener future • Provide a full professional learning day dedicated to Health Improvement annually. Delivered by internal practitioners’, with external partners invited to support. Staff will participate in a variety of practical and theoretical sessions.
Outcome 4: We Improve our Active Infrastructure: Our People and Places Current Context: Currently across Angus there are over 1400 volunteers, coaches and deliverers enabling Angus residents to be active across more than 190 facilities. All Angus sport and physical activity organisations put people at the heart of what they do, developing the individual, within both education and community settings. We aim to have a consistent and collaborative approach to the development of our coaches, volunteers, and deliverers through this Framework. There will be a strategic approach to the development of sport and physical activity facilities, with club and community organisations empowered to achieve their own facility aspirations.
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated protective measures resulted in people spending more time outside with 48% of Scots accessing local green space to help them cope with stress. Many community club spaces were adversely affected for over a year due to the restrictions in place to reduce the spread of the virus. There is a greater need to look at how our excellent natural resources and outdoor spaces are used, ensuring they are maximised to their full potential now and into the future The pandemic highlighted the importance of providing the right training and guidance to our coaches, volunteers and deliverers across club and community organisations to ensure the needs of the participants are met. This continues to be a key priority to ensure we take a participant centred approach to the delivery of quality sport and physical activity opportunities for the people of Angus.
Local Outcomes: In Angus we will...
Potential Solutions: We will strive to...
Our People...
Our People...
• Educate our network of leaders with the knowledge to understand and represent the communities they are delivering to
• Work with partners such as the Angus Council Communities team to provide volunteers with training on enhanced understanding of the varying demographics and the evolving needs of participants in Angus
• Adopt a person-centred approach to mentoring and developing our workforce and supporting individual aspirations • Deliver training and learning opportunities that will provide our people with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to deliver sessions to meet the ever-changing needs of participants of varying age ranges throughout every environment
• Provide professional staff with mentoring training to improve volunteer development • Ensure that all young developing coaches and leaders can work with more than one client group to ensure experience in different environments and demographics
• Create an inclusive leadership pathway. Through pro-active engagement we will ensure that these opportunities are accessed by a wide range of young people
• Partner with non-sporting organisations, such as SAMH to enhance the awareness and knowledge of our leaders in supporting participants with varying needs
• Provide professional learning to ensure school practitioners are more confident and competent in providing quality experiences for their learners
• Identify underrepresented groups within the network of volunteers and coaches, work with local partners to ensure a more inclusive and diverse workforce.
Our Places... • Develop an Angus Green Health Partnership • Work in partnership with ‘Angus Schools for the Future’ to ensure all sport and physical activity facilities are appropriate for the needs of the school and wider community • Support community organisations in their aspirations to develop local infrastructure • Have Community Sport Hubs that are valued, embedded and representative of our communities.
Our Places... • Explore the requirement for a ‘places strategy’ and the links to sport and physical activity • Make better use of urbanised Greenspaces, Country Parks and Coastal Areas to support physical activity and mental wellbeing within our natural health service • Maximise the potential and promote the use of all community facilities across Angus • Work with clubs and community groups, with guidance on planning, design, and funding opportunities to support the development of their facilities.
Outcome 5: We support wellbeing and resilience in communities through Physical Activity and Sport Current Context: Connecting, learning, being active, and giving are four of the five ways to well-being, each of which can be achieved through physical activity and sport.
When asked through public consultation, 25% of respondents in Angus cited “lack of self-motivation” as a barrier to participation, highlighting the need to develop opportunities that support wellbeing and resilience within Angus, empowering communities to access them. Traditionally, Angus has an excellent school sport competition structure and residents participate in community club competitive opportunities. These demonstrate personal qualities, such as resilience and develop physical competencies, physical fitness, and cognitive skills, to aid lifelong wellbeing. There are also a range of targeted interventions supporting wellbeing such as Macmillan Move More and BE ACTIVE...live well, both supporting residents with health conditions. The pandemic had an impact on the resilience of communities. 68% of Scots are said to have coped well, however many have struggled. Sport and physical activity will play a significant role in re-establishing resilience and wellbeing within Angus communities.
Local Outcomes: In Angus we will...
Potential Solutions: We will strive to...
• Work effectively with partners in a sustainable Whole Systems Approach to ensure the Angus Physical Activity and Sport offer is included and actively utilised in local prevention, intervention, and recovery agendas (e.g. health and wellbeing, mental health and community cohesion and resilience)
• Improve communication links with local communities, such as youth and adult forums, school sport councils, and facility users
• Support and work with our partners to promote clear, concise, and tangible physical activity messages that are meaningful to the population of Angus, enabling and encouraging activity and overall health and wellbeing benefits • Have strong and sustainable sports clubs that are an integral part of our communities. • Adopt a Changing Lives approach, using sport and physical activity as an intentional tool to achieve both increased participation and wider social outcomes • Consult to determine the needs of both urban and rural communities and identify residents willing to assist in the planning and delivery of physical activity and sport in their community • Support, encourage and celebrate members of the local community who champion the benefits of physical activity and sport.
• Use of customer feedback to plan and inform future provision • Encourage and support community volunteers to organise ‘Park Runs’, walking groups and cycling groups • Incentivise volunteering opportunities, with a focus on recognition and reward • Improve collaboration between sporting and nonsporting organisations with a specific focus on social outcomes • Use the Changing Lives approach to further enhance the work of clubs and organisations, specific to their local community • Develop alternative activities with those facing barriers to participation (e.g. walking/running groups) • Re-establish a broad range of extracurricular participation and competition opportunities, to ensure the level of pre pandemic wider experiences are available.
Outcome 6: We improve opportunities to participate, progress and achieve in Sport Current Context: In Angus we aspire to enable every athlete to fulfil their full potential and participate at whatever level they choose. At a performance level, Angus has a rich history in developing high performing athletes including representation at both Commonwealth and Olympic Games. Understanding the support our athletes require is essential as part of this. The local outcomes below are not just about performance sport, but also ensure our sporting system and opportunities are the very best they can be at every level for everyone across Angus. For our volunteers and coaches, there are opportunities to progress through education, developing key skills and transitioning into employment or community opportunities. This can be through
leadership opportunities, volunteering in clubs, modern apprentice schemes, Higher/Further Education courses and further opportunities for work experiences offered in partnership with the Developing Young Workforce programme. With over 80 clubs across 22 sports there are vast participation opportunities at every level. Over 25 of these clubs offer routes to compete at regional, national, and international level. Many community clubs offer participation only opportunities reinforcing social, development and wellbeing benefits. Angus schools have a strong history of providing participation and competition opportunities for young people, at local, regional, and national levels.
Local Outcomes: In Angus we will...
Potential Solutions: We will strive to...
• Map, develop and implement the support for local athletes on the pathway to performance sport
• Engage with Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport to ensure inclusion is implicit at all pathway levels
• Work with regional and national partners to identify opportunities to improve support for local athletes, coaches, and officials
• Work in partnership to accurately signpost athletes to sports appropriate to their classification, talent, or disability
• Support our young people transitioning from school and Further/Higher Education to community sport, through participation and competitive opportunities
• Support community clubs to profile their achievements and progression locally, regionally, and nationally
• Provide a range of opportunities to allow young people to access local, regional, and national competitions to represent their school or club. Provide a platform for young people to improve performance and achieve both at and beyond school, fulfilling their potential at whatever level that may be.
• Further develop a culture that allows young people an enhanced extended school curriculum through participation in school sport.
Next Steps To support the implementation of the Framework, each local outcome has been grouped as part of an operational theme: Develop a skilled network of people to deliver sport in Angus Physical Education is of the highest standard for every child and young person in Angus Ensuring sport and physical activity is accessible and inclusive for everyone in Angus/ Social Prescribing and closer links to Health and Social Care Partnership Pathways between schools, clubs and community facilities are seamless and in place for people of Angus to access the opportunities right for them Communities are empowered and at the centre of identifying need, planning and delivery of sport and physical activity of provision Each operational theme will be underpinned by a measured action plan, and aligned to local outcomes, to further support the development of the Framework.
Reporting and Monitoring of Framework
To ensure the core aims of The Framework are adopted the Angus Sport and Physical Activity Planning Partnership (the Partnership) will be established, consisting of representatives from key local, regional, and national stakeholders. The Partnership will meet quarterly to monitor the progress against the Active Scotland National Outcomes. Sub groups with representation from wider local partners and staff will be responsible for implementation, ongoing development and evaluation of progress against the national and local outcomes.
The Partnership will report annually on the progress made across the framework to the Angus Community Planning Partnership. The Framework is a working document, which will steer the work of partners, and prioritise resource to ensure the national and local outcomes are achieved. Local outcomes will be updated on an annual basis to reflect local need. Whilst the Partnership will have a regular core membership of partners, it will retain the flexibility to invite other stakeholders to quarterly meetings as is appropriate and relevant.
Appendix 1 Angus Sport and Physical Activity Planning Partnership - List of Group Members Angus Council | sportscotland |Dundee and Angus College |ANGUSalive |NHS Tayside | Voluntary Action Angus
