Sports groups across Lincolnshire helping relieve NHS pressure

A new report has found that people across Lincolnshire taking part in things like walking and playing sports, will not only keep you healthier, but eases pressure on the NHS.

Sport England has released a new report detailing how fitness can prevent illnesses, reduce mental health service usage, lower GP visits and reduce the need for unpaid care.

Jonathan Frary the Director of Strategy and Place at Active Lincolnshire says everyone should be keeping moving:

"So aside from it just being great fun, some of the key health benefits are that it will help you live better for longer.

"So, it's going to help you keep more active as we get older and be able to enjoy more of life, by being out and about. It also helps in reducing the risk of many diseases and helps improve mental well-being."

"So those good positive brain chemicals help lift moods, and help with mental health as well as physical health."

I've got emotional stories from many, many individuals who really changed their life through physical activity

"The key thing is the evidence; I'm really fortunate to work with people that deliver exercise referral programmes who support people with long term health conditions into physical activity, and we see them going from weekly GP visits, to monthly, to once every three months, and reducing in their medication."

He added that this report means a lot:

"I am a massive advocate for physical activity.

"It is the miracle cure for things."

"I'm confident there is something for everyone."

But yeah, I've got stories, very emotional stories from many, many individuals who really changed their life through physical activity."

"I think deep down, most people know that being active is a good thing. But sometimes it's nice to quantify it, and it's nice to go actually, you know what, this is the direct benefit."

Sport England calculates that the social value of community sport and physical activity is £107.2 billion per year.

Our research is unequivocal in making the case for sport and physical activity to be a central part of the solutions to the issues facing our country

The value is made up of £96.7 billion in annual wellbeing value for adults, children and young people taking part and volunteering in sport and physical activity - and a further £10.5 billion in wider savings to the health and social care system a year.

Through in-depth analysis of Sport England’s Active Lives data, plus reviewing wider evidence for the health benefits of being active (including the costs associated with the treatment and care of illness and poor health) the research reveals the social and economic benefits of sport and physical activity for communities across England.

Sport England Chief Executive, Tim Hollingsworth said:

“Our research is unequivocal in making the case for sport and physical activity to be a central part of the solutions to the issues facing our country."

"We build wealth through health: people playing sport and leading active lives turbo-charges wellbeing, prevents illness, relieves NHS pressure and can boost our health and economic growth."

“However, the shocking cost of inequalities in activity levels is a social and economic burden."

Being physically active is one of the best things we can do to stay healthy and independent throughout our live

"If we can protect and invest in opportunities to play sport and be active, particularly for communities and people that face the most barriers to taking part, we will be healthier, wealthier, and happier."

"That’s why our 10-year strategy Uniting the Movement is laser-focused on tackling inequalities and today’s research proves again that this approach matters."

"Professor Chris Whitty called physical activity a miracle cure."

"We stand ready with our partners across the sector to work with the government to unleash the miracle cure for our NHS, our economy and our future.”

Being physically active is one of the best things we can do to stay healthy and independent throughout our lives, and sport is one of the most enjoyable ways to achieve this."

"The greatest health gains are from helping people who do little activity to do a bit more."

"This report shows that we need make it easier for particular groups to engage in physical activity including sport.”

We are committed to giving people every opportunity to lead active lives

Lord O'Donnell, economist and former Cabinet Secretary, said: “Constraints on public spending are severe."

"This makes it more important than ever to focus our investments on those most in need and where we can make the most difference."

"This new evidence from Sport England starts to point the way.”

Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said: "These findings from Sport England underline just how vital sport and physical activity are to creating a fit and happy nation."

"Supporting the country to get active will be crucial in achieving our mission of building an NHS fit for the future."

"We are committed to giving people every opportunity to lead active lives for all the brilliant benefits it brings, helping to tackle some of the nation's most pressing health issues."

The research is available online at www.sportengland.org/socialvalue

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