Learnings from the Sport and Wellbeing Project
The Sport and Wellbeing project combines best practice when combining sport, wellbeing and ministry
THESE ARE SOME OF THE projects launched and learnings gathered along the way, with more to come as processing the learning continues.
Rooted in experimentation within seven dioceses, the Sport and Wellbeing project came to an end in 2023. The dioceses that were involved formed a learning community to share and discover together. These are some of the projects and learnings that were shared along the way.
Learning aims
This series of gatherings across the pilot dioceses was been set up with the following aims:
- To equip 1-2 people (no more than 2) per pilot diocese to be able to influence and embed a developed sport and wellbeing strategy in their diocese.
- To provide a space for research, learning and diocesan mentoring which will, in turn, assist the dioceses in embedding a developed strategy.
- To provide insight and learning which can then be written up to tell the story at the end of the project.
- To partner with the theological college, Ridley Hall, Cambridge, where Sports Ministry is offered as a course.
- To ensure representatives from the pilot dioceses can receive input from experts from across the sports ministry sector, learn from one another and mix with Ridley students for cross pollination of ideas and learning.
Key findings
The projects launched through the pilot dioceses revealed something exciting. Commending, facilitating and enjoying sport, exercise and physical self-care is a positive, loving way for churches to connect with new and diverse communities, alongside all that we can offer for spiritual wellness too.
Physical activity is also a wonderful way to help communities address many national health and wellbeing issues. Together with public bodies and para sports organisations to help them, churches can change local lives for the better, as well as reach people we often struggle to engage with, such as younger and more diverse communities.
Pilot dioceses’ projects
Three of the pilot dioceses shared their insights during the course of the Project:
The Diocese of London has numerous small to mid-scale provisions in a range of settings and local charity Kick London delivers PE and Sport alongside mentoring, and afterschool and holiday clubs in 77 schools.
The London Diocese has also invested in two pilot projects, Hoxton Sport and Wellbeing Hub (youth sport and adult wellbeing) and the new Activate project in Hampton and Teddington (currently developing social prescribing and mental health offers), to prove significant new models of community engagement, innovating how the church can tackle inactivity and deliver social outcomes.
The Diocese of Gloucester, building on many years of community sport and school delivery by a local charity Sportily (formerly known as PSALMS), has a significantly funded strategy to create a network of sport and physical activity centres primarily engaging with children, young people, their families and young adults.
These centres will deliver increased activity, social outcomes and provide leadership pathways for young people. There is scope to work with councils and developers in creating stronger community around sporting activity within new housing developments.
The Diocese of Norwich has been engaging through sport and wellbeing through a local charity. The Sports Factory delivers school coaching sessions, ASC, PE lessons, lunch clubs, holiday clubs, Pilates and Prayer, Fab and Fit (over 50’s fitness), online stretch and as well as social Netball and Football.
They successfully target people from within the community from all ages and stages including: adults, children, over 50’s, students, youth, SEN and disability. With a significant grant from the Church Commissioners, the Diocese is replicating this model in four new areas across Norfolk, based around secondary school catchment areas.
YouTube learnings playlist
In July 2021, there was an online gathering, sharing ideas, thoughts, reflections and more for engaging in ministry through sport. Many of the speakers were recorded, and you can view the entire playlist on YouTube just here.
For everyone
The project also encouraged the whole Church and all Christians to reflect on their own participation in sport and their own wellbeing as part of their everyday faith.
Sport and wellbeing activity, regardless of age or ability, connects us with others.
Deeper connections and shared interests can help us be more confident about sharing our own story of faith with the people we run, walk, swim and exercise with. The project aimed to inspire and support Christians to do this.
Be inspired
Lots of amazing stories have been shared about how individuals, groups, parishes and dioceses have uniquely engaging in this ‘sports ministry’, and you can find these stories here on the Church Support Hub.
Use the keyword search and enter ‘sport and wellbeing’, selecting ‘stories’ for the type of resource, and you’ll be able to see them all.
What next?
The Sport and Wellbeing Project as a Church of England learning exercise came to end in 2023. It now resides with Sportily in Gloucester for further development, with some supporting input from the original Project Lead, the Revd Natalie Andrews.
