The Sport and Recreation Unit is developing its services within the government's social policy and regeneration agendas.

The term "regeneration" can be interpreted in a number of ways.

Traditionally, it has been thought of mainly in economic and environmental terms, but recently more emphasis has been placed on the social and community aspects of regeneration.

Increasingly, sport and recreation is being used as a developmental tool linked with social inclusion, lifelong learning, health, community safety and economic and employment development.

The Wakefield Community Strategy 2001 lays out the following core objectives:

• Improve health and social care
• Improve community safety
• Reduce disadvantage and inequality
• Develop communities and neighbourhoods
• Improve the area for business
• Raise business competitiveness
• Reduce barriers
• Improve skill and educational attainment
• Improve accessibility
• Improve the natural and built environment
• Increase cultural and leisure opportunities

We are looking to develop strategic partnerships and high quality programmes that will contribute to these core objectives over the coming years. 

Sport and Recreation Development

The Sport and Recreation Unit is involved in many developmental initiatives aimed at offering opportunities to everyone in the community. We are committed to addressing areas of disadvantage and social exclusion.

Improving Health

• In conjunction with our Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) 5 partners, the Sport and Recreation Unit employs a Health and Fitness Officer in the Hemsworth area. This role involves the provision of health and fitness related information to people most at risk from poor health and they also offer a programme of health and fitness screening and tailored exercise programmes.
  
  
• We are involved with the Pontefract and Pinderfields NHS trust in two programmes: a cardiac rehabilitation initiative offering swimming sessions to people recovering from cardiac illness and a muscle mobility and arthritis care club

Improving Community Safety

• We offer a comprehensive holiday programme designed to ensure that young people have active meaningful opportunities to enjoy themselves throughout the summer months.
  
  
• The Sport and Recreation Unit in conjunction with the SRB 5 programme ran 8 programmes targeted at preventing youth crime.

Reducing Disadvantage and Inequality

• The Sport and Recreation Unit have recently produced a Sports Strategy outlining the Council's determination to improve opportunities within identified target groups. They are :-

  • children under 8
  • young people
  • women
  • older people
  • ethnic minorities 
  • disabled people 
  • disadvantaged people

• We already operate a successful Activate Card Scheme of which the main aim is to ensure that no resident of the District is denied access to recreational facilities by reason of financial disadvantage.
  
  
• The Council recently became the first local authority in England to sign up to the Sporting Equal "Racial Equality Charter for Sport". The Sport and Recreation Unit shall also be working towards the Local Government Association's Standards for Racial Equality in Leisure Services. All of this coupled with the Council's commitment to the "Kick Racism Out of Football" scheme and the "Give Racism the Red Card" campaign demonstrates how seriously the issue of racial equality is being taken within the District.

Develop Communities and Neighbourhoods

• The Sport and Recreation Unit facilities are located within local communities and the unit is looking to re-position them to be at the forefront of community life, taking a pro-active approach to alternative uses where possible.
  
  
• The Sport and Recreation Unit are actively promoting facilities to community groups as meeting venues and many community clubs use them as regular bases. 

Improve the area for business

• We employ many local people within our facilities thus adding to the strength of the local economy.
  
  
• The Sport and Recreation Unit are a major customer of numerous local businesses demonstrating our commitment to investment in the community.

Improve Skill and Educational Attainment

• The Sport and Recreation Unit in partnership with Sport England employ a full time Active Schools Development Officer responsible for developing standards in PE and Sport in the District's schools.
  

• We have trained coaches and volunteers of all ages in a variety of sports - almost 250 during 2001.
  
  
• A Community Sports Leaders Course was run in partnership with the Asian youth project " Next Generation " allowing 11 young volunteers to be trained.
  
  
• Over 6,000 children achieve key stage 2 in swimming each year within the District's pools through an LEA / Sports and Recreation Unit partnership.

Improve the Natural and Built Environment

• Pugney's water sports centre and nature reserve continues to go from strength to strength with over 700,000 visitors during 2001. The Unit continues to improve the site and is committed to a major investment on improvement works of over £ 800,000
  

• The Sport and Recreation Unit is currently working with Groundwork Wakefield and Sport England on the appointment of an outdoor Active Recreation Officer.

Increase Cultural and Leisure Opportunities

• We offer a full range of sports and recreation opportunities both in conjunction with our many partners and also through our network of quality facilities.