Sportscotland ON TRACK 

MESSAGE FROM STEWART HARRIS

Folks 

We have recently passed the 12 month anniversary of the decision taken by government to lockdown society and try to suppress the virus. It has been a difficult year for all, however from my perspective, it has also been a huge learning curve. All of us have had to adapt to new working environments and ways of working and I would like to thank you for tackling the challenges with strong partnership and collaboration leading the way. 

I would also like to pay tribute to the efforts of the members of the Strategic Forum for Sport and Physical Activity. Over recent months the forum members have committed significant time to discuss and plan an outline framework for the future of the sector to both increase resilience and help achieve the ambitions we all have. This work has been done in a truly collaborative spirit and representatives from SGBs, Local Authorities, Leisure Trusts/CLUK, Higher and Further Education, Student Sport, Public Health Scotland, Scottish Government and ourselves at sportscotland completed a tight document outlining direction and key actions. The forum identified four aims to strengthen resilience and help achieve ambition: 

• Better connections between national and local strategy and implementation
• Better connections between sport and physical activity with health and wellbeing
• Better engaged communities
• Ensuring the financial viability of the sector 

We look forward to working together to deliver against this direction of travel and involving everyone in this effort. There is much to play for. 

Take care 

Stewart                                  

We're continuing to update our website with Coronavirus (COVID-19) information and resources. Please encourage your own networks to check this page regularly for the latest updates or e-learning modules, including COVID-19 Mental Health and Wellbeing Awareness Training for Coaches and Volunteers.

EQUALITY OUTCOMES CONSULTATION

We are developing new Equality Outcomes and we are encouraging partners to get involved in the consultation. Equality outcomes are only one, specific part of the equality work we do and we want our new Equality Outcomes to improve experiences for groups within these populations: 

• People living in poverty and low income 
• People living with mental health problems 
• People from diverse ethnic communities
• Older people, over 50 

We want to hear from people with a variety of work and life experiences. By sharing your views, you can help us develop outcomes that are targeted and reduce inequalities.

Please complete the survey by 31 March 2021.              

#PLANETARYPROMISE

The National Lottery is asking organisations, individuals, athletes and others to make a #PlanetaryPromise on social media as part of their environment campaign between 19 - 23 April. Take a look at the toolkit which contains a helpful guide, examples of social media posts, graphics and a #PlanetaryPromise template for filling in your own promise. 

Our monthly theme for April is Supporting the environment so we would like as many people as possible to get involved! It would be great if you could have a think about an achievable promise you could make, and encourage your networks and others to do the same. 

Some examples might be – using fewer single-use plastic products, switching off devices once they are fully charged and not leaving them running overnight, cycling or walking instead of taking the car or reducing food waste. Find out more here.     

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