Scottish Government’s additional £40 million will help people get more active
Providing free, accessible and inclusive access to sporting opportunities for Scotland’s children and young people is at the heart of targeted funding designed to capitalise on a “spectacular summer of sport”.
In June Scotland men’s national football team will compete at the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time in 28 years before the city of Glasgow hosts the 2026 Commonwealth Games, from 23 July to 2 August.
While the nation’s elite sportspeople compete on the world stage, the Scottish Government is investing an additional £40 million into the 2026-27 sport budget.
If approved by the Scottish Parliament, this will see a £20 million uplift to core funding for sporting organisations and an additional £20 million to create innovative and inspiring physical activity opportunities for young people across Scotland, including:
a £15 million “Summer of Sport” initiative offering free sporting activities for children and young people
a universal learn-to-swim offer for every primary school child in Scotland that will continue beyond 2026, backed by initial year-one investment of £2 million
a £2 million ‘Celebration of Football’ fund, aligned with the World Cup, using the power of Scotland’s national game to change lives through football.
and a £1m ‘Health in the Community’ campaign targeting areas with low activity levels to become and stay active
Free, accessible and inclusive access to sport for Scotland’s young people is at the heart of @scotgov funding designed to capitalise on a “summer of sport”.
Health Secretary @neilcgray announced the £40 million investment at St Brigid's Primary.
Health Secretary Neil Gray, following a visit to an Active Schools event at St Brigid’s Primary in Glasgow, said: “We are all looking forward to a spectacular summer of sport with our men’s football team competing at the World Cup Finals and Glasgow welcoming athletes from across the Commonwealth for the Commonwealth Games in just six months’ time.
“The ‘Summer of Sport’ programme will harness the excitement of these world class sporting events.
“The Scottish Government is offering every young person the opportunity to learn to swim, regardless of their background. This is a core life skill which will benefit so many children.
“Our investment will remove barriers for communities to access sport and will also significantly increase the core budget for sportscotland, in turn creating and sustaining opportunities for people across Scotland to be more active.
“Sport can be a force for good and by encouraging people to become and stay active, we can unlock a range of wider physical and mental wellbeing benefits that can leave a lasting impact long after the World Cup and Commonwealth Games this year.”
Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “As Scotland prepares for an extraordinary Summer of Sport, we have a unique opportunity to harness the inspiration of major events to drive longer term participation and community benefit.
“The Scottish Government’s additional £40 million investment in sport strengthens our shared ambition to widen access, support local delivery partners, and ensure people of all ages feel the physical, mental, and social benefits that sport provides.
“This funding will allow us to work with partners to build on the momentum generated by the World Cup and Commonwealth Games and to deliver a more inclusive, active Scotland for the long term.”
Scotland will play host to or co-host three of the world’s biggest sporting events over the next three years – the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Tour de France Grand Depart 2027 and EURO 2028.
Nearly three in five parents expect children’s physical activity to drop this winter
Over half of children aren’t getting the recommended 60 minutes of daily activity, with levels set to drop this autumn and winter – and around 8 in 10 parents underestimating how much movement kids need.
The campaign is backed by Alex and Olivia Bowen, Max Whitlock, Beth Tweddle and Joe Wicks, who has shared top tips for parents getting active with children, as research uncovers impact parents have on their children’s activity levels.
Almost three in five (57%) parents say their children’s physical activity levels are likely to suffer a seasonal dip during autumn and winter, with cold or wet weather (60%) and darker evenings (41%) highlighted as the key barriers in new research findings.
To tackle inactivity and help families keep children moving all year-round, the Government has launched ‘Let’s Move!’, a new campaign supported by Sport England that aims to help parents discover simple, fun, and pressure-free ways to build movement into daily life – which can start with just 10 minutes of activity.
NHS guidance recommends that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day – including 30 minutes outside of school hours. Yet the new survey reveals that 81% of parents underestimate how much physical activity children need. Already, more than half ofchildren in England aren’t getting the recommended amount of movement and, worryingly, the research shows this will increase during the colder months.
Supported by Joe Wicks, the ‘Let’s Move!’ campaign makes staying active easy and affordable, offering ideas from kitchen discos to local activities and playground fun. It encourages families to move together – 80% of parents believe their habits influence their child’s activity levels – and highlights how everyday routines can support healthy, active lifestyles.
Regular movement boosts mood, focus, and family connections, with 78% of parents agreeing that their child is happier after being active, has more energy (71%) and has better concentration (68%).
The campaign is part of the Government’s wider effort to break down barriers to physical activity for people all over the country. Already, more than £900 million has been committed to build grassroots facilities in the places that need them most and deliver a pipeline of major sports events that inspire the nation. Alongside this, the new School Sport Partnerships and
Enrichment Framework will ensure all young people have equal access to high-quality sport and extracurricular activity. Sport England evidence shows that improved health from participation in sport and physical activity relieves pressure on the NHS through £10.5 billiona year in health and social care savings.
Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “Building a more active nation is a huge part of this Government’s Plan for Change and we want to show families all over the country just how many ways there are to get involved.
“Whether it’s dancing, playing team sport or playing in the playground with their friends, we know that children who get at least an hour of exercise a day experience so many benefits – they’re happier, healthier and focus better at school.
“I am determined that every child, whatever their circumstances, should have those opportunities.”
While just over half (52%) of parents say their children really enjoy traditional forms of sport, others face barriers such as low confidence (31%) or a dislike of competitiveness (30%). However, 94% of parents say their children enjoy physical play as a form of movement – with top activities including visiting the playground (56%), riding a bike (46%), dancing (44%) and playing tag or chase (43%).
‘Let’s Move!’ aims to support different ways for children to enjoy being active – from sport to play and everyday movement. The campaign features real families from local areas having fun getting active together in ways which suit them, such as dancing or playing in the playground. Their images are featured in out-of-home and social channels in the local areas to inspire others to visit nhs.uk/LetsMove for tips, local activities and inspiration.
Parents and TV personalities Alex and Olivia Bowen launched the campaign in Essex alongside inspiring local families, demonstrating that movement really can be for everyone. Olympic champions Beth Tweddle and Max Whitlock led activities at the event, including dance challenges to obstacle courses, as families shared how they’ve been inspired to get active this winter.
Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton said: “Every child deserves the chance to be active, healthy and happy – but right now, too many are missing out on the 60 minutes of daily exercise their bodies need.
“’Let’s Move!’ is about showing families that physical activity doesn’t have to mean expensive gym memberships or organised sports. A kitchen disco, a walk to the park, or ten minutes of silly dancing – it all counts, and it all makes a real difference to children’s health, happiness and development. This builds on the work we have already done with Joe Wicks and his Activate animated series, inspiring children to move more.
“This campaign is part of our Plan for Change to build an NHS fit for the future by helping families make movement a natural, joyful part of everyday life.”
Joe Wicks, who got the nation moving during ‘PE With Joe’, is backing the campaign following the success of his animated workout series Activate, which was supported by a cross-section of government departments including DCMS, DfE and DHSC.
The series aims to make fitness fun for kids with short five-minute animated workouts. He shares new top tips as part of the ‘Let’s Move!’ campaign to help families slot activity into their everyday life, including being a role model, exploring local activities and getting outside whatever the weather.
Joe Wicks said: “As a dad, I know how hard it can be to keep kids moving – especially in the winter when it’s getting cold and dark.
“The idea of 60 minutes of movement a day for kids can sound like a lot, especially for kids who don’t feel confident doing traditional sports – but it doesn’t have to be all at once. It can start with something simple – a quick dance in the kitchen, a run or a brisk walk to the park, or an episode or two of Activate!
“It all adds up and gives kids an amazing mood boost – the key is making it fun.
“Let’s Move is about helping families find those little moments together – whether it’s discovering something local, or just getting active at home. It’s not about perfection, it’s about showing kids that moving isn’t a chore, it’s play. And when it’s playful, they’re way more likely to want to do it again, and again.”
‘Let’s Move!’ is being piloted in targeted areas of Sandwell, Lancashire, Essex and Bradford where inactivity levels and inequalities are greater than other parts of the country. These areas all receive funding from Sport England via their place partnership programme, to ensure those in greatest need can be active. The campaign supports the Government’s Health Mission, which prioritises preventative health measures, including addressing physical inactivity.
Sport England data also shows significant inequalities remain in activity levels, with Black (42%) and Asian (43%) children and young people, and those from the least affluent families (45%), still less likely to play sport or be physically active than the average across all ethnicities and affluence groups.
The launch of Scotland’s National Day of Movement marks a new chapter in championing inclusive activity for people living with long-term health conditions
The Scottish Government’s public health minister yesterday (18th June) joined participants representing Scotland’s third sector in enjoying the benefits of physical activity to help celebrate Scotland’s first-ever National Day of Movement.
Held outside the Scottish Parliament and led by the Movement for Health Coalition, the event attracted community and health leaders, political and government representatives, academics, and people living with long-term conditions to celebrate movement in all its varied forms.
The event formed part of a wider day of celebrations focused on all forms of physical activity in Scotland by charity partners, government, and academia.
The National Day of Movement is a celebration of all forms of movement and the benefits this brings to our physical, mental, and social health.
It shines a spotlight on a more inclusive approach to physical activity, especially for the nearly 50% of adults in Scotland living with at least one long-term health condition who often face unique barriers that make reaching global physical activity guidelines difficult.
Today we celebrate those who fight through the pain, tiredness and other challenges, to find happiness and health in any movement they enjoy, big or small, and reminds us that all steps forward count.
The third sector, community and local government organisations play a vital role in turning movement into something enjoyable and achievable.
Movement for Health coalition members and partners are leading the way, supporting those that live with minor and limited movements due to their health conditions through inclusive, welcoming, and social physical activity programmes across the whole of Scotland.
This year’s National Day of Movement showcased just how empowering, joyful and accessible these activities can be, including breath work, gardening, and seated sports such as Boccia.
The event also shone a light on the importance of rest and pace for people living with chronic pain and fatigue conditions. Messaging supporting physical activity needs to reflect this knowledge to reach Scotland’s least active communities successfully.
Jenni Minto MSP, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, Scottish Government, said: “I am delighted to celebrate Scotland’s first-ever National Day of Movement with the Movement for Health coalition today. We know that building more movement into our daily lives benefits us physically, mentally and socially.
“We want to do more to support people with disabilities and long term health conditions to move more, but we need to make sure that we do that in a way that is based on an understanding of the individual challenges that people face.
“The Movement for Health coalition provides an invaluable forum to provide insights into these challenges across a range of health conditions. We must continue to use these insights, both nationally and locally, to ensure that we are providing the right support and creating a culture of movement that is accessible and welcoming to all.”
James Jopling, Scotland Director at Parkinson’s UK said: “Movement really makes a difference. By coming together and celebrating moves, big and small, we are collectively saying – This is important.
“Supporting people living with a huge variety of health conditions to benefit from movement is something that needs greater investment and prioritisation to sustain and improve the nations’ health.”
Emma Anderson, Movement for Health Manager, said: “The National Day of Movement is a powerful reminder that all movement matters.
“Whether it’s a short walk, a gentle stretch, or dancing in your kitchen, it’s about celebrating what people can do. That’s how we create a more active, inclusive Scotland – by making space for every kind of movement.
“Our coalition members and partners see every day how movement transforms lives.
“Today was a chance to showcase just that – highlighting the joy, connection, and confidence that come when people are supported to move in ways that feel right for them.
“We’re grateful to everyone who joined us today to celebrate our achievements and hope that, together, we can continue to champion inclusive movement across Scotland.”
Scotland’s largest mental health charity is hosting a free panel discussion exploring how physical activity and sport can help tackle the current mental health crisis.
SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) are inviting anyone involved in local sport, such as coaches, personal trainers, jog leaders and more, to join the event, hosted at the stunning Playfair Library Hall at the University of Edinburgh on Friday 29 November.
Speaking at the event will be Stuart Campbell, Director of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow—the first major event in Scotland to pledge to Scotland’s Mental Health Charter. Stuart will be joined by Professor Larissa Davies, a specialist in the economic impact of sport and physical activity. Attendees will also hear first-hand from people with lived experience of mental health problems, and the role physical activity had in their recovery.
Stuart Campbell, Director of the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2024, said:“My goal is to highlight what can be achieved through a social impact campaign in partnership with a major sporting event. We need input from all corners of our communities to challenge us to improve.
“This is a chance to start working together to ensure that upcoming sporting events truly resonate and prioritise your best interests. A Scotland that values wellbeing, supports mental health, and cares for its citizens is a stronger, prouder, and more prosperous Scotland.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to create connections with industry peers, share best practice, spread awareness of their work and ask questions directly to our panel of leading experts during a Q&A session.
Professor Larissa Davies, Professor of Applied Sport Economics at the Manchester Metropolitan University, said:“Physical activity is an important preventative health tool for combating poor mental health.
“Being active reduces the likelihood of depression and anxiety, as well as the risk of non-communicable health conditions such as dementia. In addition, it also improves life satisfaction and general wellbeing.
“The case for investing in physical activity to address Scotland’s mental health crisis has never been stronger.
“My research focuses on measuring and valuing the social value of sport and physical activity, including the impacts on health, wellbeing, and social capital, both in the UK and internationally.
“Recent projects include the new social value model for sport and physical activity in England, and a study of Gaelic Games on the island of Ireland.
“I am looking forward to sharing more about my social value research, which spans across more than 15 years.”
The event is delivered in partnership with sportscotland and the University of Edinburgh and is free to attend for anyone who is interested.
Edinburgh Leisure is serious about doing social good and adding social value to people’s lives and will be marking the first ever Seriously Social Week in May as part of a national campaign that showcases the work of charities, like theirs, putting people above profit, connecting communities, and helping people to become healthier, happier, and more creative, regardless of age or ability.
Seriously Social has been organised by national body Community Leisure UK. Starting Monday 27 May, each day of the week will focus on a theme to show how companies like Edinburgh Leisure help create social impact and create happier, healthier communities and will showcase the outcomes around health & wellbeing, the community, inclusion, employment and skills and the environment.
Jen Holland, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure said: “We are proud to be part of a network of charities operating with a social conscience, delivering social good when providing public leisure services. Our core business isn’t about making profit, it is about purpose – helping people first.
“We’re about supporting society to get healthier and happier, employing local people, creating safe spaces for everybody, connecting communities, working towards net zero and supporting people with quality health and wellbeing services for everybody regardless of age or ability.
“Seriously Social is a brilliant way to showcase not only the difference we make but also why we do what we do.”
As the largest provider of sports and leisure facilities in the city, Edinburgh Leisure provide activities for everyone as they move through their lives.
As a charitable trust, every penny goes back into taking care of the health and wellbeing of Edinburgh. Being active improves physical and mental health. Edinburgh Leisure is here to support as many people as possible to feel as good as possible.
A recent study commissioned by Public Health Scotland concluded that of the 62,941 deaths that occurred in Scotland in 2022, more than 3,000 would have been attributed to physical inactivity, with cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounting for around one third of these.
Last year Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities team supported over 12,500 people a year to be active to improve their health and wellbeing.
They develop and run projects to help make a positive difference to communities in six key project areas.
People living with health conditions are supported by Active for Health
People on low incomes and experiencing inequalities are supported by Wellbeing for All
Older adults are supported to stay active and connected through Staying Active
Children and young people are supported to live healthier, happier lifestyles through Active Futures
People with disabilities or additional support needs are supported through Everybody Active
People living with mental health conditions are supported through Mental Wellbeing
Kirsty Cumming, CEO of Community Leisure UK, said: “Our members don’t just deliver public leisure and cultural services, they support social change for the better every day of the week, 365 days a year.
“As social enterprises and charities, they put people above profit. They are run by local people and have everyone’s best interests at heart. The Seriously Social Week is about showcasing how they go above and beyond supporting individuals and communities.
“This is a selfless sector, quietly going about supporting people and communities every day. Not because it makes them money, but because it’s the right thing to do. And we thought it was high time more people know about the great work they do and the difference they make.”
More than 110 Charitable Trusts and Social Enterprises deliver public leisure and culture in Scotland, Wales and Ireland as part of the Community Leisure UK network. Together in 2023 they:
Welcomed more than 209 million visits
Worked with 170+ Local Authorities
Collaborated with more than 100,000 Community Groups
73% Reduced Carbon Emissions
75% provided holiday food and activity programmes.
Saved the state and NHS £893million through their work getting people more active and healthier *
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Benefits of physical activity on heart health
Physical inactivity is one of the main risk factors for heart diseases and is associated with a 24% higher risk of coronary heart disease.
In the UK, it is recommended that adults partake in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week plus two sessions of resistance training.
Over six in 10 adults meet this guideline, if one of these is not you, then why not? Your heart is a muscle too!
This muscular organ also needs to be worked out and increasing the amount of physical activity you do is one of the best things for your heart health. In this healthy tip, we share some benefits of physical activity.
What is physical activity?
Physical activity is any form of movement produced by your muscles that uses energy. A few examples include walking, running, dancing, swimming, and gardening.
Heart health benefits
Partaking in physical activity strengthens your heart muscle and decreases your blood pressure. Regular physical activity can improve your blood sugar control and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a major cardiovascular risk factor.
Changes in your cholesterol levels will become apparent, with your LDL (bad cholesterol) levels becoming lower and HDL (good cholesterol) levels rising.
Ultimately, physical activity is essential for a healthy heart. It strengthens your heart, reduces your chances of developing heart diseases and increases your lifespan.
Other health benefits
Physical activity benefits both your physical and mental health. If these are in good health, it is likely that your heart is too.
Partaking in regular physical activity will help you build cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and improve your flexibility and balance.
You may find that you have more energy after carrying out physical activity due to the rise in your endorphins, this also helps to improve your mood.
Other benefits include improvements in your sleep quality and duration, improvements in anxiety and depression as well as a reduction in the amount of stress hormones in your body.
These additional health benefits all directly or indirectly help your heart too.
Movement for Health coalition advocates physical activity resource to improve nation’s health
A COALITION of 19 leading health charities have endorsed a resource that will help healthcare professionals integrate physical activity conversations into routine clinical care.
Movement for Health (MFH) – a group of charities including SAMH, Age Scotland, and Paths for All – is working with the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK (FSEM) to advocate for use of its Moving Medicine resource which provides health care professionals with the knowledge, skills and confidence to talk to patients about physical activity.
The web resource draws on both clinical and patient experience to create behaviour change for people living with long term conditions. It is free to access and already widely used across England.
MFH has endorsed the resource in the hope it can help improve the resilience of Scotland’s people, communities and NHS while directly aligning to its key aim of making it easier for people with a long term health condition to be more active.
Dr Emma Lunan, Chair of Movement for Health, said: “It’s quite simple – Scotland needs to move more to boost the nation’s health and happiness.
“As a coalition of charities, we are always eager to engage with initiatives supporting and promoting life changing physical activity. It can be transformative for many with long-term conditions.
“Receiving further expertise and resource from Moving Medicine is extremely welcomed and will prove a vital tool post-pandemic to improve the physical, social and mental health of the country.
“MFH exists to promote physical activity for the prevention and management of long term conditions and has been at the forefront championing a way forward for the past four years.
“The Moving Medicine web tool has already had success in paving the way for healthcare professionals to feel confident and have better conversations around physical activity and ultimately make referrals for exercise.
“We encourage those who work within a healthcare setting to seek out and use this resource as it can play such an important role in supporting those with Long Term Conditions to become more active.
“This has never been more important so we are delighted to be working together.”
The CMOs’* Physical Activity Guidelines state that for good physical and mental health, adults should aim to be physically active every day. This can be anything from a short walk to the shop or a 30-minute session in the gym – any activity is better than none alongside reducing sedentary behaviour.
Moving Medicine is led by the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK (FSEM), delivered in partnership with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Sport England and the National Lottery – with the aim of improving physical activity conversations across healthcare and support the routine delivery of physical activity for all.
The resource was developed in Scotland through a partnership between FSEM, Sportscotland and Public Health Scotland. This partnership also included the development of the resources for children and young people.
Dr Natasha Jones, FSEM President and Clinical Director of Moving Medicine, said: “The Movement for Health coalition brings together charities and organisations that share FSEM’s vision of improving the health of the nation through physical activity.
“We are delighted to be working with the coalition to help us spread the word and encourage everyone in healthcare to have better conversations about physical activity”
Moving Medicine has worked with more than 2,000 clinicians, academics and patient experts to design the resource for a wide range of conditions and life stages, such as cancer, diabetes, pregnancy, and menopause.
In total, Moving Medicine offers resources covering 21 adult conditions and life stages, 6 childhood conditions and 6 conditions affecting young people. These paediatric resources were jointly co-funded Public Health Scotland and sportscotland.
Flora Jackson, Health Improvement Manager at Public Health Scotland, said: “We’re pleased to continue to work with Paths for All to support the Movement for Health Coalition and welcome their voice, providing leadership and advocacy for physical activity and long-term conditions.
“Moving Medicine provides a simple guide on how to raise the issue of physical activity in as little as 30 seconds and we echo the call for more health professionals to do so.”
Regular physical activity provides a range of physical and mental health and social benefits, including: reducing the risk of many long-term conditions, helping manage existing conditions, ensuring good musculoskeletal health, developing and maintaining physical and mental function and independence, supporting social inclusion, helping maintain a healthy weight and reducing inequalities for people with long-term condition.
For more information on Movement for Health, visit:
New paper calls on leadership and policy to deliver significant change
SIXTY leading health specialists and politicians have joined calls for an overhaul to Scotland’s approach to social prescribing – with an urgent need to step up physical activity interventions.
Movement for Health (MFH) – a coalition of charities that includes SAMH, Age Scotland, and Paths for All – brought together professionals to understand the importance of supporting people to engage in physical activity and interventions through social prescribing models, revealing the findings in a new paper.
Social prescribing which typically sees GP practices and health services connect people to activities, groups and services has been embraced in certain areas of Scotland, with uptake varying considerably by region.
A key MFH recommendation is to create better community links and remove the assumption that social prescribing is a medical approach. This should in turn reduce reliance on other services and people seeing GPs about social issues. However, it’s not a simple change as many people have a trusting relationship with their GPs and is a safe go to when they don’t know where to turn.
Dr Emma Lunan, Chair of Movement for Health, said: “Scotland has a health emergency and our approach needs to change. A social prescribing postcode lottery exists – and it often comes down to the strength of the links between health services and the surrounding community.
“We need to be able to translate policy into actions. Physical activity has huge benefits that go deeper than just physical and mental health. Proactive interventions can help individuals reconnect with their community and grow in confidence but many experience barriers when taking the first step so we need to work collaboratively to overcome these.
“Once the structure is designed, it will need continual scrutiny to ensure it is working effectively and providing tangible outcomes as society continues to change.”
Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport, attended the MFH event as both a keynote speaker and a participant in the panel debate that was chaired by health and care journalist Pennie Taylor and opened by the Chair of Movement for Health, Dr Emma Lunan.
The discussion highlighted a real lack of recognition for this workforce who are often managing people with complex needs. Currently, Scotland’s approach to social prescribing is lagging behind Wales, England, and Northern Ireland although Humza Yousaf, Cabinet Secretary for Health has committed to exploring appointing a lead for social prescribing for Scotland.
The benefits are clear; from supporting patients’ physical and mental health, to reducing health inequalities in local communities, while reducing the workload of frontline health professionals.
Taking part in local activities also helps build the skills and confidence to improve social functioning, leading to the reduction of social isolation and loneliness while creating more connected and resilient communities.
Dr Emma Lunan added: “Community empowerment was a central theme of the debate. It plays a vital role when linking patients to sources of support and networks.
“Greater control needs to be transferred to link workers in order to provide a direct relationship between health care and communities. This would ensure long-term solutions can be implemented rather than quick non sustainable alternatives.”
Currently, social prescribing in Scotland is supported by two networks; Scottish Social Prescribing Network (SSPN) and Scottish Community Link Worker Network (SCLWN). Both networks share learnings, information and good practice across different initiatives while championing the need for a national approach and joined up thinking across all local authority areas.
The approach can fall under several ministerial portfolios which makes the desire for the Scottish Government to identify a lead important to deliver real change for communities and individuals.
Alison Leitch, co-chair of Scottish Social Prescribing Network and Community Link Worker Assistant Service Manager for Edinburgh, said: “The networks build on the strengths, drive and enthusiasm from various social prescribing programmes across the country, with the collective aim to embed the approach in health and social care in Scotland.
“These strengths could assist with ensuring that policy objectives can be measured, evaluated and reported on in a cohesive manner.”
The SSPN and CLW Network are well established networks and the go to body of knowledge in terms of social prescribing and link working in Scotland.
Clare Cook, Project Manager at SPRING Social Prescribing, said: “It is widely recognised that community groups and services can respond more quickly to local needs than statutory services and have less barriers attached to them which encourage engagement.
“Often a little hand holding in order to build a person’s confidence or provide some reassurance along with good local knowledge goes a long way. Statutory services are under too much pressure to offer this currently yet social prescribing presents a host of benefits to individuals, communities, healthcare and Government.”
The full Movement for Health coalition includes: Age Scotland, Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, Alzheimer Scotland, Breast Cancer Now, British Lung Asthma and Lung UK, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, Diabetes UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Parkinson’s Scotland, Paths for All, RNIB, SAMH, Scotland Versus Arthritis, Stroke Association, VHS, Waverly Care, Scottish Disability Sport and Community Leisure Scotland.
With four key missions, Movement for Health is working towards raising awareness within health practitioners, physical activity and sport providers, policy makers and the general public, by providing research, resources and political action to support those who are affected to get more active.
Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund has returned for its seventh year and local sports clubs across Edinburgh and The Lothians can now apply for a share of £50,000.
The fund encourages people of all ages and abilities to take part in physical activity within their local communities by offering sports clubs the chance to secure essential funding. There are a range of funding tiers available, with one club in the area guaranteed to secure a £2,500 funding boost.
Since launching in 2016, nearly 500 clubs across Scotland have benefitted from a funding uplift of £290,000 through Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund, helping to improve community access to sports across the country.
From gymnastics to football and volleyball to bowling, Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation that meets the application criteria.
In 2021, Aldi supported a selection of sports clubs across Edinburgh and The Lothians, including Lismore Rugby Football Club and trampolining club, PHD FUNdamentals. The additional funding helped both clubs fund training sessions and purchase new equipment.
Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Aldi Scotland, said:“Since launching in 2016, our Scottish Sport Fund has given a wide range of sports clubs the chance to benefit from essential funding to help them invest in much needed equipment and resources.
“Sports clubs across Scotland have had a really challenging time over the last two years, and I am proud that Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund gives these clubs a helping hand to continue the fantastic work they do in their communities.
“Each year, we are blown away by the applications we receive, and I look forward to welcoming more in 2022. I’d encourage any sports clubs across Edinburgh and The Lothians to apply and take advantage of this excellent funding opportunity.”
Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is part of the retailer’s wider commitment to help local communities in Scotland, which it also does through its Neighbourly partnership and Supermarket Sweep.
Sports clubs located across Edinburgh and The Lothians have from Monday 22 August to Sunday 25 September to apply for funding.
One applicant will be selected to receive £2,500 of funding, two applicants will each receive £1,000 of funding, while several other applicants will each receive £500 of funding towards their sports club.
The Aldi Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation in Scotland that meets the application criteria. All applications will be considered by the Aldi judging panel and entrants will be notified of the outcome of their funding application within four to six weeks from the region’s deadline. Please see the Aldi Scottish Sport Fund FAQs and Terms & Conditions for more information.
