Somerset Coastal Place Partnership

The Somerset coastal strip, from Porlock to Burnham on sea, including Bridgwater, has been identified as an official Sport England Place Partnership. Somerset is set to benefit from a share of Sport England’s £250 million investment nationally, designed to tackle inactivity and inequalities in the heart of communities. One of 27 locations across the country to be selected.

The long-term, place-based initiative targets communities facing the greatest disadvantage due to coastal deprivation, rural isolation, an ageing population, and increased strain on health and care services. The goal is not just to provide more opportunities for physical activity, but to make movement and physical wellbeing realistic choices for everyone, specifically tackling deep-rooted inequalities.

Why This Matters

Nearly half of Somerset’s population resides in rural areas, with projections showing over a third aged 65 or older by 2036. Although overall deprivation is below the national average, rural areas still grapple with poor transport, limited service access, and digital exclusion. To understand these challenges, various methods were employed: needs assessments, community insights, systems maturity analysis, and both local and national research into barriers and facilitators of physical activity.

Our Approach

The approach is deliberately place-based, community-led, and connected across local systems. It focuses geographically on the Somerset coastal strip, with a thematic emphasis on prevention, building community capacity, integrating health and care, and strengthening infrastructure for sustained activity. Priority audiences include families facing multiple disadvantages, older adults at risk of frailty and falls, economically inactive adults, and young people with low feelings of safety and belonging. The approach aligns with Somerset Moves, the county’s multi-agency physical activity strategy for 2022–2030, aiming to support people to be more active in ways that suit their everyday lives and local environments, ultimately making Somerset a healthier and more inclusive place to live.

The work is structured around 7 priority themes, each mutually reinforcing and delivered through cross-sector collaboration involving local communities, the voluntary and community sector, local authority, NHS partners, education, and system leaders.

Programme Development, Place Leadership and Governance
System and Community Leadership Development
Community Engagement, Insight and Integrated Family Support
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)
Health and Care Integration
Community-Led Physical Activity, Safety and Nature-Based Provision
Local Infrastructure, Capital Influence and Digital Enablement

SASP will act as the strategic lead and accountable body, providing coordination, governance, learning and infrastructure.

Locally Trusted Organisations (LTO)

We know that real change happens when local people lead the way. So, we're looking to work alongside Locally Trusted Organisations (LTOs) — groups, charities, and organisations who really understand their community and want to help it thrive. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.

What is a LTO?

An LTO is an organisation that's of its place – rooted in the community it serves. You might be a community group, charity, social enterprise, or local network. What matters most is that you:

Know and care deeply about your local community
Are trusted by local people
Work collaboratively to make a positive difference
Ideally, are based within the community itself

Why Get Involved

This is a pilot project, and we're be offering a small amount of funding to each LTO we partner with. Initially, this will support community consultation, insight gathering and helping to ensure that local voices are heard.

By joining the Somerset Coastal Place Partnership as an LTO, you'll be part of a network that:

Builds skills, confidence, and local capacity
Strengthens community voice and visibility across the Somerset Coast.
Connects you with other local organisations and partners
Shares learning, insights and opportunities
Helps grow resilience and the value your organisation brings to your place

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you! Please complete our short expression of interest form Here

Further information

If you require any further information, please contact our Strategic Place Manager Hayley on HBullock@sasp.co.uk

Supporting Documents

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Locally Trusted Organisations Shared Values

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Somerset Coastal Place Partnership Plan on a Page

PDF

Somerset Coastal Place Partnership Theory of Change

Our vision: Reducing inequalities in physical activity across our coastal place.

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Place Needs Assessment

For more information or enquires, contact the Place team:

Hayley Bullock

Strategic Place Manager (Coastal)

E HBullock@sasp.co.uk

Hayley manages the school games programme, school games organisers and community development officer for children and young people. Hayley is also a key member working on the Happy Healthy Holidays programme.

Lou Woolway

Strategic Place Manager (Yeovil, Taunton, Chard)

E LWoolway@sasp.co.uk