BARNSLEY Council is set to launch its ‘Big Idea’ in a bid to get around 20,000 more people across the borough physically active - and it’s hoped that it will improve the life expectancy of residents.
The development of the ‘Big Idea’ originated in 2022 through an opportunity to support the health and wellbeing of local residents.
This opportunity had no investment attached to it but was intended to stimulate consideration of how an approach to better health could be developed through moving more, and out of this thinking the Big Idea framework was born and approved in October 2023.
The council has been invited to apply for funding through Sport England and if successful, the initial allocation for the investment will be over two years.
Almost £250,000 will be used in year one and almost £700,000 in year two.
There will also be an opportunity for a full grant amount to be used to expand the scheme beyond the initial two-year period.
A report, which will be discussed by Barnsley Council’s ruling cabinet members on Wednesday, states: “The Big Idea is a whole system approach to physical activity that consists of five work areas where extra work is required to see a big shift in reducing inactivity, reducing inequalities and promoting moving more as part of everyday life.
“Our ambition is to directly support 20,000 people moving more for improved physical and mental wellbeing with many more people benefiting indirectly through the wider systemic change that will occur through this approach.
“The ‘Enabling Every Child the Opportunity to be Active’ strand of the Big Idea will primarily focus around primary and secondary schools.
“Through the engagement with various educational based stakeholders, our place feel that we will have most impact on children through the school environment as a foundation for the behaviour change and capability to take up opportunities within the community setting.
“In terms of the support available to schools, the consultation process has highlighted that we need to provide two distinct offers.”
The first would be a universal offer open to all schools, and the second being a ‘focus offer’ - which specifically aims to support schools who need the scheme the most.
There has already been a pilot for the scheme in Kendray and Worsbrough that successfully engaged and supported people to keep fit.
Due to the current inequalities and the existing levels of inactivity there will be additional support directed towards the North, North East, Central, Dearne and South wards in Barnsley.
Whilst Athersley, Cudworth, Lundwood, Grimethorpe, Brierley, Kendray, Worsbrough, Goldthorpe, Thurnscoe, Hoyland and Wombwell will also be targeted heavily.
Bosses say the scheme will hopefully improve life expectancy across the town.
The report added: “There’s a strong correlation between deprivation and poor health.
“According to the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019, Barnsley was the 38th most deprived local authority in the country.
“There are over 50,000 residents in Barnsley living in the most deprived ten per cent of communities in England.
“Around 40 per cent of the Barnsley population are living with some form of chronic illness or disability.
“The Sport England Active Lives Survey shows that 36 per cent of adults in Barnsley do less than 30 minutes of physical activity per week and are considered inactive.
“The long-term health and life expectancy of Barnsley residents is negatively affected by physical inactivity and its risk factor to many health conditions including diabetes, strokes, several cancers and heart and circulatory disease.”
