A new leadership learning initiative aims to transform knowledge sharing in the physical activity sector.
Launched in partnership by ukactive and Sport England, the Communities of Learning will operate through an online platform that allows leaders in the physical activity sector to discuss burning issues and areas of interest – from emerging risks, to getting young people more active and women’s leadership.
The focus of the discussions will be on "sharing what works", in order for organisations working in sports, fitness and leisure to be able to improve their operations to help more people get active.
The announcement was made today at the Active Uprising conference, which is taking place in Manchester.
“Every day organisations across the physical activity sector are creating innovative new solutions to get more people active, as well as tackling the big challenges our sector faces," said ukactive acting CEO Huw Edwards.
"Sharing these experiences, however, has been limited to Active Uprising, National Summit and a handful of other major events each year.
“The Communities of Learning aim to keep the conversation alive so that organisations from far and wide, both large and small, can learn together.
“We have a sector united in its ambition to turn the tide of physical inactivity and our partnership with Sport England will deliver tangible benefits for every organisation.
Sport England CEO Tim Hollingsworth added: “The learning and development platform has been designed to benefit all organisations working to help people get active by sharing good practice and evidence-based learnings on what works and what doesn’t.
“Our joint aim with the partnership is to bring together the sector so we can grow together, innovate and collaborate to maximise our efforts."
Set to go live later this year, it is one of five major projects launching over the coming 18 months as part of a new partnership between the organisations.
The other four streams are Digital, Inclusion, Campaigns and Infrastructure.
Of the other streams, Digital aims to support the sector through its journey of digital transformation, specifically ensuring open data is engrained in the day-to-day of the sector so that organisations can learn from each other and make evidenced-based decisions.
Inclusion will see the evolution of the Everyone Can project this autumn, to create a network of inclusive and accessible gyms and leisure centres that help organisations connect with more people.
Campaigns aims to improve the coordination of public health campaigns with organisations in the sector to help drive participation and engagement with people.
And Infrastructure will see Sport England and ukactive working together to help reinvigorate the physical infrastructure of the sector and evidence its value as part of the movement for an active nation – supporting organisations to develop more efficient, sustainable services and facilities.
Further details of the work in these areas will be released later in the year.
