Lottery funding to encourage Greater Manchester to get active
The pilot scheme is being launched by Sport England.
Last updated 8th Dec 2017
Millions of pounds of Lottery funding will be invested in a new pilot scheme to help those living in a select number of communities become more active.
Sport England has chosen 12 local authorities, including Greater Manchester, to identify better ways to address inequalities and break down the barriers that stop people being active.
Across the next four years £100 million of National Lottery funding will be allocated to help create partnerships which make it easier for people to access sport.
The scheme will look at how parts of the community can work together to help the most inactive - from the quality of parks and open spaces, to how sport and activity is promoted by GPs.
Jennie Price, Sport England chief executive said: "Working with all of the partners in a local area means for the first time we can think about that broader range of issues and work right across the local system to address them.''
The 12 places chosen include Birmingham and Solihull, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, Essex and Greater Exeter, as well as Greater Manchester, Hackney, Pennine Lancashire, Redcar and Cleveland and Middlesbrough, Southall and Withernsea.
Sport England said it would work closely with each of the 12 places, but that each would be likely to have their own solutions for addressing the needs of their own communities.
Minister for sport Tracey Crouch said: "Sport is a powerful tool that helps strengthen communities and improves physical and mental health.
"So it is right that we look to do all we can to encourage people to take part.''