(Image: Gavin Priestley)
A new partnership aims to put movement and sport at the centre of healthier communities in York.
The collaboration between Sport England, North Yorkshire Sport, and the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority will focus on improving activity levels in York and North Yorkshire through a Memorandum of Understanding.
The partnership brings together Sport England’s national strategy, the Combined Authority’s regional leadership, and North Yorkshire Sport’s local knowledge.
David Watson, chief executive of North Yorkshire Sport, said: "We are proud to sign this agreement with Sport England and the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
"It builds on a strong partnership and gives us a clear framework for action in the areas where we can make the biggest difference.
"By working together, we can tackle inequalities, support healthier lives, and create lasting opportunities for people to be active.
"We want this agreement to deliver clear results, shared responsibility and meaningful change across York and North Yorkshire."
The long-term agreement brings together the Mayor’s £7 million Moving Forward campaign and Sport England’s Uniting the Movement strategy, aiming to improve health, reduce inequalities and support economic growth through movement, activity and sport.
The three organisations will develop a joint programme and look for opportunities to design, fund and deliver work together where it can have the greatest impact.
Simon Hayes, chief executive of Sport England, said: "Community sport has a vital role to play in creating healthier, happier communities and stronger local economies.
"This partnership is about making that a reality for people across York and North Yorkshire, particularly those who face the greatest barriers to being active."
The memorandum will focus on aligning services and investment, developing the workforce, joint communications and advocacy, linking health services with physical activity, creating child-friendly places, and using data, insight, evaluation and learning.
The agreement builds on existing investment in the movement, activity and sport workforce, including around £400,000 from the Mayor to strengthen skills, capacity and leadership across the sector.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: "Coming together with Sport England lets us bring our regional ambition together with their national vision.
"Our ambitious Moving Forward campaign is backed by £7m Mayoral funding to support people to move more and live healthier, happier lives.
"Working closely with Sport England, we’ll be able to maximise the impact of this investment and support more people right across York and North Yorkshire."
The partners will produce an annual joint work plan setting out areas for collective action, joint resourcing, shared outcomes and measures of success.
Senior representatives from the three organisations will meet each year to review progress and identify further areas for development.