Stoke-on-trent sport and physical activity strategy 2009-2016

Strategy. An approach towards the provision of leisure services based purelyon financial performance, and which offers a service only to those whochoose to visit facilities will not address low levels of participation or meet theCity’s wider needs.5. Programmes that recognise and address barriers to participation, encourageand empower people to get more involved and offer opportunities to work inpartnership stand a greater chance of being successful.Key findings from community consultation6. The Strategy is underpinned by wide ranging consultation with the community,in addition to key stakeholders, including consultation in connection to theElected Mayor’s Green Paper for Sport and Physical Activity. The communityconsultation has included a household survey, roadshows, surveys of childrenand young people at school, discussion groups, and representative groupssuch as the Area Implementation Teams.7. Consultation has been ongoing throughout the Strategy process and clearthemes have emerged. The detailed findings are provided under eachrelevant sports facility type, but the overarching findings are summarisedbelow:• The cost of taking part in sport and physical recreation is the mostimportant barrier to people being more active. The highest priority istherefore to make activities and facilities accessible and affordable;• Local facilities and opportunities to be active are essential, including parksand green spaces, cycling routes, community centres and local schools;• There is a need to improve information about the opportunities which exist,as many people are unaware of what is already available. Linked with thisis the need to strengthen the volunteering message, as many peoplesimply do not know how they could help to support sport and physicalactivity in <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent;• There is a need to help people build activity into their daily life, as manypeople do not feel they have spare time to take part in activities. Cyclingand walking to work or school, gardening (including allotments) andreducing use of the car would all help, but people need to feel confidentand safe while cycling, walking and using local parks;• Swimming pools are considered the highest priority for investment, alongwith football pitches. Many people would also like to see an ice rink in theCity and better or more children’s playgrounds. More accessible fitnessgyms, cycling routes, gymnastics and tennis provision were also popularNortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 39Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009 – 2016October 2009