Active Lives for All – Positive action and support in challenging times

By GM Moving | 20 September 2024 | TAGS: Inequalities, Racial inequality

The team at GM Moving was appalled by and condemns the violent, racist, and Islamophobic disorder seen across the country last month.  

We proudly work with people from all communities who come together to take part in movement, physical activity, and sport, we are saddened that this has been impacted. 

On Monday 9 September we held a call with partners and community groups to hear how the disorder, whilst no longer headline news, continues to impact communities.  

There was a technical issue with the call which prevented some partners from attending. We apologise for the confusion and inconvenience this caused and are keen for you to add your insights and thoughts to the conversation. 

Anyone who wishes to contribute to our discussions in this area, we encourage you to get in touch with us using the contact details at the bottom of this page.  

On the call, we heard how communities have been adapting to the aftermath of the disorder and the impact this continues to have on movement, physical activity, and sport - particularly outdoors.  

People shared their personal, community, and professional experiences, and talked about what is needed, and what we can do to support as people, organisations, and as a whole system.  

There is a clear need to re-build trust, highlight safe spaces, and bring communities together and we strongly believe that movement, physical activity, and sport is a powerful tool with which to do this.  

Some key things coming out of the conversation, which we have shared with our team, national and local partners were to: 

• Recognise and name the issue - don't forget how it feels or minimise the impact of what happened. Recognise that the issue of racism and Islamophobia is still present even when it has disappeared from the headlines.
• Listen and seek to understand each other and the intersectional nature of inequality and exclusion. People in the group appreciated that different people and groups have experienced these events differently- e.g. women, young people, older people, those who wear a hijab, deaf and visually impaired people, those living in different places with a range of demographics. 

Some patterns in the conversation 

• Noticeable reduction in participation due to confidence and feelings/perceptions of around safety.
• Same and different across the life course – older people, young people, parents not travelling. 
• Appears to be affecting women more than men - is that other’s experience? 
• Building back trust is going to take time and need a communication push – safe spaces, indoor spaces, travelling to venue on foot and cycling. 
• More community engagement and conversations – community safety – lighting travel routes. 
• Don’t assume that this is moving back to normality – the impact is lasting in communities. 

To support people to maintain and rebuild active lives: 

Community groups 

• Review existing activity and approaches and explore how to maintain and rebuild participation where it has dropped off, especially into the autumn and winter. 
• Consider how to support group activities and indoor activities to rebuild confidence. 
• Offer transport if needed and seek funding for transport if possible. 
• Keep connecting people, creating spaces for people to come together to talk, move, enjoy a sense of community, and rebuild confidence.
• More community cohesion activities. Build trust. Bring community groups together. 
• Make information on helplines visible, to report incidents and support that.
• Highlighting that it is safe, for people to know that it is safe - promotions that normalise and celebrate the best of 'what is' 
• Consider special events, walks, and activities to bring people together - there was a suggestion of a big walk or a series of walks on the same day across GM. 

Organisations and funders 

• Review funding processes and guidance – adapt and flex where possible to include the things that are needed to rebuild confidence (e.g. indoor venues and transport).
• Celebrating the best of what is happening in communities; make visible the amazing activity, groups, and organisations and people living active lives – e.g. Muslim Hikers and GM-based Muslim walking and activity groups.
• Encourage those with influence to shine a light on what is going well, and celebrate everyday movement, physical activity and sport across the diverse cultures and communities in Greater Manchester.
• More investment in work to support awareness of safe spaces.
• Advocate for more lighting outdoors and place making that helps people feel safer, such as the Rights to the Streets work.
• Work together – community, borough, GM and national organisations with commitment. 

At GM Moving, we will 

• Recognise that new and existing funding will need to be flexible to achieve this and are reviewing the guidance attached to our current GM Walking and Wheeling Fund.
• Continue to ensure that we and our cross-sector partners locally and nationally can positively influence beliefs, assumptions, and mindsets in communities.
• Continue to work with the Tackling Inequalities Network, which helps us connect with grassroots physical activity and sport organisations and understand how we can support them further. The next meeting of the network will be held on Monday 7 October. Tickets are available here.
• Continue to keep this work, and the conversation, alive across England through the Active Partnerships network nationally, with Sport England, and in Greater Manchester with partners through our place, LGBTQ+, Commitment to Inclusion of Disabled People, Sports Governing Body, health, VCSFE and other networks.  

We have, and continue to, see positive actions and hope.

We have the utmost respect for the tireless work of community groups, voluntary organisations, and faith groups for their efforts in difficult circumstances. 

Get in touch: If there is anything specific you would like to contribute to this discussion or actions you would like to see taken, please get in touch via [email protected]