Our Sport + Health Project transforms the lives of homeless and vulnerable people through sport and physical activity.
The initiative is designed to get people more active; in order to prolong lives, improve mental and physical health, reduce isolation and improve overall quality of life.
We provide a wide range of sports and physical activities, from football, rock climbing and boxing to more moderate activities such as aerobics and yoga.
Transforming Lives Through Our Sport & Health Project
After a successful three years our Sport & Health Project is celebrating an extension to its National Lottery funded Sport England Programme and a new grant from The KKR Grants Initiative.
You just feel better about yourself, you know, getting involved, that's how I see it helps with mental health, because otherwise you're just sitting around and thinking about things, but with them, you've got something to fix your mind on and it just helps you know.
- Darren, SHP Client
The Sport & Health Project is a recognised and evidenced model of good practice for the benefits of physical activity in improving peoples’ physical and mental health, social relationships and overall quality of life. The Programme has engaged over 600 clients, partnered with over 30 organisations and worked with 130 volunteers.
Funded through Sport England’s Active Ageing Initiative, the three year programme worked with a section of the population that mainstream Sporting and physical activity services have traditionally struggled to reach. We found that, by introducing physical activity into the daily lives of those experiencing homelessness, we were able to improve stress, anxiety and depression levels by 76% and overall quality of life by 62%.
On the back of this success, Sport England announced a further two year extension. The Sport & Health Project hopes to diversify its reach to all adults, grow its network and partnerships and promote the value of sport and physical activity in tackling homelessness; with a specific focus on women-centric organisations.
The second grant awarded to our Sport & Health Project is from The KKR Grants Initiative COVID-19 Relief Fund, which will provide funding to expand on the ‘Health’ side of the Project.
To learn more about our journey of how we got here, how we’re moving forward and to see the full Sport & Health Project Documentary by filmmaker Poppie Skold - head over to our Opportunities Stories to learn more about our Project.
Photo cred: Poppie Skold
Sport & Health Project
Our National Lottery funded Sport England funded Programme
2017-2020
‘Breaking the Cycle’ aims to engage clients living in SHP hostels in Camden, Islington, Lewisham, Westminster, Redbridge and Wandsworth in structured cycling activities including; weekly bike maintenance, learn-to-ride sessions and monthly cycling trips.
The project aims to achieve a number of short term and long term outcomes. The short term aims include 100% of participants to increase their skills in cycling and bike maintenance, as well as reporting increased well-being as a result of involvement in the project. In addition to this, for 60% of beneficiaries, the project aims to increase self-confidence by becoming project champions.
The long-term aims include at least 85% of participants to improve their physical and mental health, with all of them feeling confident about their cycling abilities. Furthermore the project aims to help at least 80% of beneficiaries to feel a part of their community.
“I can go anywhere, I'm free!”
- Gary, SHP client
Due to the nature of our project we have not been restricting the sessions by age or level of ability, we endeavour to adapt the sessions in such a way that all of our clients feel welcome to get involved.
“I’m buzzing to get back on the bikes, I’ve been really depressed recently and do the exercise definitely makes me feel better. I didn’t want it to stop ”
- Danny, SHP Client
We understand the impact that physical activity can have on mental health, physical health or addiction, most of our target group will have issues in at least one of these areas, therefore we have been encouraging involvement from all, attempting to make a significant impact on the quality of their life.
Sport + Health Project Stories
Sport + Health Project Films
Sports Day 2019
Sports Day On Tour 2020
Programme Documentary
Sport + Health Project In The Press
“Homeless Project Using Sport To Aid Recovery in London Praised Thanks to National Lottery Funding”
Ealing Times | Dec 2021
“Stay At Home”
By House of Sport | Jan 2021
“Sports & Health Project featured on BBC Radio London Drive-time”
BBC Radio | Jan 2020
“Sport + Health featured in My London”
By My London | April 2021
“Free Fitness Classes For The Homeless Are Helping Vulnerable People Live Longer”
By Metro | Feb 2020
‘We Are Not Spectators’
From delivering essential items to vulnerable families, to providing virtual fitness sessions and motivation, London’s sport sector stepped up in the Spring of 2020.
Sport + Health Gallery
