Coming to the End of 2020

While it is easy to say we can't wait to see the back of 2020 maybe as we head towards the end of it, it is a good time to reflect on the positives that have come out of such a difficult situation. Undoubtedly this is the hardest year we have worked through as a county and a country in my lifetime, but it has shown what we can achieve, quickly, collaboratively and with a positive attitude when we are focused on our singular aims of supporting our communities and the individuals within them.

We would like to thank all of our partners that have worked so incredibly hard with us during this year to help keep our residents active and moving during such difficult times.

Here are a few highlights. Far too many to mention them all but a selection across the ages and communities in Somerset.

Beat the Street Bridgwater

The 4 week active travel game - Beat the Street Bridgwater. SASP has worked in partnership with Intelligent Health, Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset County Council, Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group and Sport England, who provided us with National Lottery funding to deliver this test and learn project throughout October 2020.

Overall the game was a massive success with participants of all ages taking part, either walking, running, cycling or scooting from Beat Box to Beat Box. We had 4,349 players in Bridgwater who covered 45,737 miles over the course of 4 weeks around Bridgwater. We have received so many positive comments from parents and Bridgwater residents.

Full of Beans: Live

Think Joe Wicks PE live sessions, but specifically for Early Years and with some familiar faces. Stuart and Dan from our Children and Family team are now in their 3^rd week of Full of Beans Live and have been amazed with its success. Engaging with 800+ children on a weekly basis and inspiring settings to be really creative with their physical activities. We have had such lovely feedback from childminders, pre-schools, nurseries and reception staff. Have a look at all the weeks sessions here. Each week has a different theme.

Health Walks Return

Our health walks programme within West Somerset and Mendip restarted on Wednesday 2^nd December for the second time since the pandemic started in March. All areas will return in January 2021.

Our health walks will continue to have extra hygiene and social distancing measures in place to protect walkers and walk leaders. There are so many benefits to walking, including strengthening muscles and building mental resilience, which is so important at the current time.

Further information on the SASP website and also on Somerset Health Walks Facebook page

Love to Pedal Virtual Cycling Scheme

Love to Pedal continues to grow, with over 50 care homes now signed up for the scheme. The programme provides care home residents with a set of static pedals, so they can enjoy low impact exercise that is safe and has many physical and mental health benefits for its users. We have filmed some lovely rides around Somerset for residents to cycle virtually along to, hopefully sparking some memories and conversations along the way! We currently have 6 rides uploaded with more to follow in the next few weeks.

All rides can be accessed via the SASP YouTube channel, find Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership, click 'Playlists', then select 'Love to Pedal' and will soon be available on DVD. We are also developing the programme for individual use within your own home and this will be launched in early 2021. For further information, please visit www.sasp.co.uk/lovetopedal

Tackling Inequalities Funding

Phase 2 of the Tackling Inequalities Funding is open! SASP have received funding from Sport England to help keep people most affected during this pandemic physically active, or ready to resume activity. The Inequalities Funding aims to support targeted groups across Somerset.

Data from the Sport England commissioned physical activity attitudes and behaviours survey during COVID-19 is highlighting widening gaps in the activity levels across existing priority audiences. These groups are:

• People from Lower Socio Economic Groups
• Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic Communities
• Disabled People
• People with Long Term Health Conditions

These groups have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and create a culture where people are choosing to stay indoors to keep safe. Additionally, there may also be a greater impact upon their financial status which is the single greatest determinant of activity levels.

Click here for more information or click here to complete the expression of interest form.