Active Communities

The Active Communities Initiative is a joint initiative of the Co Cork Local Sports Partnership, HSE South (Health Promotion Dept) and the LEADER Partnership Cork.

Background

The Co Cork Local Sports Partnership Ltd coordinates the delivery of programmes and initiatives to promote participation in sport, exercise and physical activity in County Cork. The Sports Partnership is co-funded by the Irish Sports Council and partners including Cork County Council, Co Cork VEC and the HSE.

Since its establishment in 2003 the Sports Partnership has delivered, or supported the delivery of over 50 programmes attended by in excess of 8,000 participants. It continues to roll out both local and national programmes to a broad target audience and has created an ethos of active and healthy living amongst its participants.

Project Outline

The aim of the Active Communities Initiative is to increase participation levels in sport, exercise and physical activity through a coordinated delivery of programmes at community level. This initiative is supported by recent research by the ERSI which indicates that,

“International evidence shows some policies are effective in increasing participation. The frontrunners are: community campaigns and events, getting social groups involved, individual activity programmes and linking in with local facilities with outreach work”.

To this end the Co Cork Local Sports Partnership is committed to implement and promote the Active Communities Initiative in Co Cork and encourage communities to work together to get people active. The main objectives of the Initiative are outlined below.

Main objectives of the Active Communities Initiative

  • Create supportive environments to sustain the long term development of the Active Communities Initiative.
  • Increase levels of participation in sport, exercise and physical activity and build sustainable programmes for the future.
  • Encourage and enhance collaboration amongst community groups/organisations the LSP and HSE, to address the issues of inactivity and health promotion.
  • Bring together and align partners existing priorities and targets within one joined up local action plan based on the needs of local communities.
  • Encourage the use of existing facilities and local resources.
  • Provide a suite of training opportunities and workshops that will match the needs of the communities being targeted.
  • To tackle inequalities and improve mental health and well being for the community