Read from the CEO of London Sport, Emily Robinson, on joining the London Partnership Board.
As the CEO of London Sport, my focus is on helping Londoners live longer, healthier and happier lives through being active. With 1 in 6 premature deaths caused by physical inactivity, it’s vital that we provide accessible, engaging and affordable ways for communities across London to be active.
That’s why I’m thrilled to be joining the London Partnership Board and work alongside other leaders to tackle the stark inequalities that remain prevalent in the capital. The London Partnership Board provides an important platform for us to work with other organisations and agencies to overcome these health challenges and more. If we want to build activity into everyday lives then it’s vital that as a sector we’re working with housing, planning, and business. Through walking and cycling we have a clear contribution to climate change. We want to work with education to improve children and young people’s access to high quality sport. The Partnership Board will enable us connect the sports sector with all these other vitally important sectors.
Born out of the London Recovery Board which focused on the capital’s recovery and rebuilding following the pandemic, the London Partnership Board now faces new challenges brought on by the cost-of-living crisis. London Sport’s latest report showcased some of dramatic impacts that the crisis is having on Londoners and their ability to be active: more than a third of Londoners’ activity levels have been negatively impacted; 1 in 5 have increased their use of free activities; and ethnic minority and disabled communities have been disproportionately affected compared to other groups (57% and 48% reported negative impacts to their ability to be active).
Our report illustrates what we all know too well; that London is a city of contrasts. Our interventions must therefore be evidence-based and informed by the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve. I will be feeding in the views, experience and expertise of the London sport sector, and through the London Partnership Board we can be more effective in our decision-making and prioritise our resources accordingly.
To safeguard the long-term health of the capital, we also need to think innovatively and collaboratively about sport and physical activity. Our recent work in Lewisham - where London Sport along with 5 other organisations converted a vacant shopping unit into a wellbeing hub - demonstrates how partnership working can deliver true value to the community.
We can use also the partnership to advocate for the importance of physical activity and sport in the wider public health agenda. We know that being physically active can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve mental health and wellbeing, and strengthen social connections. By highlighting these benefits and working with other organisation to integrate physical activity into wider policies and initiatives, we can create a more supportive and enabling environment for everyone in London to live an active life.
This way of working will also help us improve the lives of young Londoners. With only half of children and young people in the capital achieving the recommended levels of physical activity, it is imperative that we help young Londoners enjoy sport and build a positive active habit for life. Alongside the mental and physical health benefits, an active life can help young people improve their academic performance and employability prospects in the future. The Go! London fund, the biggest community sport investment in the capital, will play a pivotal role in providing these opportunities for young people, but of course there is always more than we can do to broaden access to sport and physical activity.
By working together through the London Partnership Board, we can create a more inclusive, connected and active city, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. This will require a sustained and collaborative effort, but I am confident that together we can make a lasting impact on the lives of Londoners.
Emily Robinson
CEO, London Sport