Get Active: a strategy for the future of sport and physical activity…

Earlier in the year, the Government released its new, updated sporting strategy titled: ‘Get Active: a strategy for the future of sport and physical activity’. The policy paper outlines the essential steps towards building healthier, happier and more active communities across the country, as well as highlighting some of the key barriers communities face in getting active related to active spaces and facilities.  

At Kajima Community we understand the importance of bringing people together and the social and physical impacts sport can have on wellbeing. We enable communities to access unused facilities as well as encourage participation through the promotion of activities and partnerships with local providers. 

In the paper, the Government suggests the economic value of community-building through local sports and activity groups is estimated at over £14 billion. You can read the full paper online here – – Get Active Policy Paper – or read on for our summary. 

 So, what is the Government’s new sporting strategy? 

There is a strong focus on increasing participation and ensuring sport and physical activity is accessible to everyone regardless of background or postcode and understanding the role activity can play in the health and wellbeing of our nation – how sport can be a force for good by reducing pressures on the NHS, improving educational attainment and bringing our communities together. 

What does the strategy identify as the key barriers to getting active?   

Location: The accessibility and geographical position of a person’s closest park, recreation centre, and swimming pool might significantly impact their capacity to engage in activities. That’s why at Kajima we have developed an online portal, specifically for local authorities to showcase all of the facilities available within a local area making it easy for residents to find what is on offer. 

Quality & Value: The Government recognises that the perceived quality of sports facilities serves as a pivotal obstacle to active participation, as individuals expect a certain standard and maintenance level when engaging with any paid service. There are a huge number of untapped, quality facilities within schools and local authorities that can be offered to the local community – through better marketing and the ability to offer a great customer experience, these organisations can maximise their offer of quality facilities to the community. 

Accessibility: Facilities must be accessible for people of all ages and individuals with particular disabilities. The availability of the facilities can also be a limiting factor with sites being over-populated at peak periods and participants may face barriers in the bookings process. The virtual tour feature within our new multi-venue bookings software allows users to ‘experience’ the facilities before actually arriving on site. Users with specific needs can assess the accessibility of the venue, see available equipment and space set ups before they book and arrive. 

How does Kajima Community align with this Strategy?

Kajima Community’s vision aligns seamlessly with the Government’s mission by actively endorsing local activity providers, promoting increased opportunities for physical activity through underused venues and enhancing accessibility to community facilities. Our innovative lettings software showcases venues within communities so residents can easily identify high-quality hireable spaces and locations. The simple bookings journey enhances accessibility, making it easy for everyone to enquire, book or simply learn more about what’s on offer. By working with activity providers who understand you shouldn’t need to break the bank in order to break a sweat, we collectively enable residents to embrace a healthier lifestyle for the best value.