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As part of our Spotlight on Healthy Choices, we spoke to our #BeeWell Coalition partner, Salford Community Leisure (SCL) on how they’ve been utilising the data and insights gathered by #BeeWell to enhance their delivery of the Salford youth offer. Over the last couple of years, we’ve worked with the SCL team to consider locations for activities, focus on particular demographics and consider the metrics they collect to evaluate the impact of their programmes.
The team reflected on how #BeeWell has enabled them to make the case for investment into physical activity, locally, and highlight the needs in Salford, particularly in the Broughton community. The discussion highlighted how #BeeWell is being referenced in different spaces, giving it visibility, credibility and aligning it with other national data sources such as Active Lives. Specific mentions included #BeeWell partners StreetGames and GM Moving where the wellbeing data was highlighted in different sessions to advocate for the needs for gender specific spaces within community provision. The data was matched with insights gleaned from the learning from projects elsewhere demonstrating the demand for different spaces to engage in activity. Girls were interested in engaging, the issues were accessibility, the right offer and communicating what’s available.
One of the projects set up by SCL in response to the #BeeWell data is a girls only movement session offered at #BeeWell school, The Albion Academy. The project offers a dedicated space for girls to explore different methods of movement in a safe, familiar environment. The team started with a survey to girls to understand their needs and codevelop the offer, as a result the sessions focus on social, togetherness and body positivity.
Mia, the leader of the session reflected on the improvements in self-confidence she’s noticed within individuals and the development of new friendships between the group. The group regularly has 10-12 young people attending and the timing of the session at 3-4pm allows the girls to make it home for other personal commitments.
“You know as a sports development professional that creating these spaces is the right thing to do; to make the best outcome, we need to work with the right people. The data told us where to go, but we need to measure their outcomes, so we know things are improving.” – Stephen Gordon, Active Communities Development Officer at SCL.
Since they created the session, SCL has also been able to weave in additional opportunities, including engaging the girls in the Women’s Rugby World Cup. The team highlighted learning they’ve noted including, that the sessions took much longer to setup than initially anticipated and echoed our #BeeWell youth steering group reflections that school PE Kits can be a barrier to participation for many young women.
The #BeeWell data was also utilised to advocate for the need for additional provision following a fire in a local leisure centre. The good places to spend free time data highlighted that there had been a decrease in one of the neighbourhoods following the closure of one of the spaces. The Willow Tree Wednesday, multi-sport club, was created in a local primary school as a familiar space, creating a safe space in the heart of the community. The #BeeWell data also highlighted the need for the provision to involve food, which the team has made a core part of the , ensuring young people sit at a table and have the space to talk with a trusted adult.
We look forward to continuing our work with Salford Community Leisure and supporting the vital role they play in offering opportunities and everyday support in the neighbourhoods of Salford.
