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Neighbourhood Renewal is part of the "New Labour" government's interpretation of the EU Lisbon summits' directive to European member states to develop the social democratic principles of social inclusion.
Theoretically underpinned [ variously ] by knowledge bases in social theory which often have values seated in principles of Social Justice; the combination of Sport with the wider agenda of Neighbourhood Renewal represents, for some, the future of community sports development. The reader is directed to theories relating to Community development; Health promotion and Youth and Community studies - each of which provide signposts for possible academic directions for sports development. In the meanwhile;
The policy relationship between Sport and Neighbourhood Renewal / Social Inclusion was implicit in the government command paper "Bringing Britain Together", and made explicit in the research that underpinned Policy Action Team 10 (PAT 10), "The contribution that Sport and the Arts can make to Social Inclusion" This Government policy [for sport] developed in Game Plan (2002).
The [majority of the ] remainder of this Rough Guide is from www.renewal.net , which we advise students and practitioners to visit; we hold their sport related documentation as an archive.
Of the potential relationship between sport and the neighbourhood renewal agenda; Research Report 9: Joint Working in Sport and Neighbourhood Renewal (2004) offers the following comments;
"Neighbourhood renewal and sport can be thought of as overlapping worlds, each with its own silos of structures, decision-makers and specialist funding streams. It is where these worlds meet that progress is made – where sports organisations and neighbourhood renewal organisations work together to promote the role of sport in neighbourhood renewal." more
The Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Unit (2005), in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which is central to the Social Inclusion agenda (housing the Social Exclusion Unit), owns the website www.renewal.net - the "Sports Toolkit" on that site is structured in a way that mirrors the instrumental - Functionalist claims made for sport in PAT 10 - We are confused by the disguise of sources, but the narrative (as follows) is policy advised (if not academically cited), we leave students to drill down the academic theory...... leaving students the hint that this "sports toolkit" is actually very well written and equally well informed, despite the lack of citation.
We copy the narrative here for education guidance and linkage and focus in the order of our source www.renewal.net where you should visit for more information;
Sport, Physical Activity & Health
"Increasing levels of participation in appropriate sport and physical activity can contribute to improved health, lower worklessness, less crime, increased skills, stronger community identity and community cohesion. However sports facilities that meet local needs are not available in many deprived neighbourhoods and most of the population do not participate. Encouraging people to participate in sport and physical activity regularly and to lead more active lives takes time and resources. Sport and physical activity projects that seek to contribute to neighbourhood renewal need to be clear and selective about the outcomes they are seeking to achieve. Appropriate performance measures and systems need to be put in to place to enable the outcomes to be demonstrated." more
Sport and Community Safety
"Participation in structured sporting activities by young people can help increase community safety. Different schemes divert young people from crime and anti-social behaviour by: targeting local 'hotspots' with attractive and positive activities for young people; providing 'protection factors' for young people so that they can better resist pressures to take part in harmful or anti-social behaviour; increasing young people's self-esteem and organisational and social skills; providing positive role models for the young people through the coaches and local organisers leading the activities; and decreasing the perception and fear of crime and anti-social behaviour amongst the community." more
Sport & Employment - Worklessness
"Worklessness in neighbourhood renewal areas is higher than average and reducing worklessness is a high priority. Sport and physical activity can contribute to this aim. Sport can be the route through which a work habit and motivation to succeed are developed. At a local level, sport can directly provide employment and business opportunities. Sport can also act as a means to obtaining employment in other sectors through developing confidence and self esteem, transferable skills and basic qualifications. However, people in disadvantaged areas are less likely to be actively involved in sports activities or related training. Access to sports qualifications may be restricted and where employment in sport exists in renewal areas, this is often in unskilled and lower paid positions. The full contribution that sport can make to addressing worklessness and its associated problems in renewal areas is often not being fully realised." more
Sport & Educational Attainment
"Standards of educational attainment among young people and adults living in disadvantaged areas are often below national averages. People with low skill levels are far more likely to be unemployed, and unemployment is a major factor in deprivation. Physical education (PE), sport and physical activity can contribute towards raising educational standards and aspirations within both a school and community setting. Many schools are now part of 'School Sports Partnerships', families of schools that plan and work together to improve the quality and range of PE and sporting opportunities for young people. Action within these partnerships includes widening the range of sports and activities available to young people; opening up school facilities to the community; linking with local partners; and training local sports leaders and coaches." more
Sport and sustainable Communities more
Designing and Implementing Sports Projects
"Planning and implementing sport and physical activity projects with the aim of increasing participation in neighbourhood renewal areas involves: undertaking an assessment of sporting and physical activities; developing long-lasting partnerships; developing a local infrastructure of volunteers, clubs and networks; accessing increased and longer-term funding; and demonstrating the success of sports projects through good organisation, planning, marketing, monitoring and review." more
The above (indented and in quotations) narrative is sourced from www.renewal.net , please note that these are Crown Copyright- the majority of examples provided by them are focussed on sport and young people, leaving other populations somewhat less well covered. As time progresses this may well change.
Other publications that may be instructive in this context [ in addition to those in the sidebar ] may be;
Don't forget the Government's command paper;
Students should visit www.renewal.net for some wider "out of the sport box" context....... but for now, that's enough from us.... enjoy your research journey! and visit soon since we will add content as it becomes available.
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