Developing Stronger Communities Through Sport Nik Trivedi

Who We Are Sporting Equals are a national charity working towards building healthier, fairer and stronger communities locally Key areas of work: Increase Participation Community Cohesion Diversify Boardrooms of Sport Showcase Talent Improve Health and Lifestyles

Vision & Aims Engage diverse young people through sport and build empathy and empowerment to gain social cohesion   Encourage local identity and sense of belonging Focus on what local people have in common Build understanding and mutual trust Change perceptions, attitudes and behaviour Focus on integration and interaction 4

Model Background Focus on diverse young people in community tension hotspots Partnership approach (inc.CSP, Third Sector, sports club, local auth) Key Activities: Sports activities Masterclasses Workshops Informal sporting activities work as an ‘ice breaker’ and offer social interaction Hence, provide comfortable safe place for dialogue on sensitive issues such as islamophobia, bullying and harassment Focus on young people from different faith backgrounds in community tension hotspots Participants attracted through sport and activities Partnership approach local authority inter faith forum local voluntary bodies local sports clubs key role models Project enables greater social cohesion 5

Community Cohesion Workshops   • Oppression and hate crime by perpetrators is made up of three interwoven stages (thinking, feeling and behaving) based on assumptions, stereotypes and prejudices. These can be changed through new life experiences, knowledge and social interaction. Social interaction and breaking down perceptions are key elements to the workshops 6

IMPACT (Data from our community cohesion project delivered in Croydon July 2017)   -Limiting perceptions measurably improved (80% of participants stated they had improved their ability to relate to people from different backgrounds) -Social cohesion measurably improved (80% of participants felt their ability to make a positive difference in their local area had improved) -Wellbeing of young people measurably improved (64% of participants stated that their views on the importance of being healthy had positively changed) 15 participants requested local volunteering opportunities 10 confirmed onto consultative steering group helping to drive local change 1 participant set up his own basketball club 1 participant set up his own fitness company 4 joined a gym 1 joined a dance club 2 engaged in local football club 2 enrolled into coaching 8

‘’I think there is a level of integration but when you come away from schools…I don’t think there is much integration, I think people stay within their own cultures’ ‘I now have positive views about ‘Muslims’ and people of different faiths, the workshop gave us a broader understanding of different cultures’ ‘ I’ve found a respect for others and a new appreciation for people of all walks of life’

LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY   Steering Group supported by local agencies Pathways into training and volunteering opportunities Greater engagement with sports activities and providers Locally driven voice for young people from different faith backgrounds  ‘‘Its made me feel that our voices are ‘heard’, it just helps you not to give up!’ 12

Key ingredients Maximising role of voluntary and community sector inc. faith groups Local statutory agencies have a key role to play in terms of leadership and support Effective partnership working – given multi-faceted nature of cohesion work. Time to build relationships is important.

For more information please contact: info@sportingequals.org.uk 01217771375 @SportingEquals