The recent Active People's survey reported that Gateshead's level of participation in Sport and Physical Activity was that 17.7% of the population participated in 3 lots of 30 mins activity per week. This result was surprisingly low considering other surveys which suggested that our level of participation was around 26%.
Active People’s Survey
Analysis of results
Figures in brackets relate to North East Region % / All of England %.
Participation
· 17.7% (20.5%/21.0%) of the adult population aged 16 and over take part regularly in sport and active recreation.
· 25.3% (25.4%/28.4%) of adults have built some exercise into their lives.
· 57.0% (54.1%/50.6%) of adults have not taken part in any moderate intensity sport and active recreation of 30 minutes duration in the last 4 weeks.
· Regular participation in sport and active recreation varies across different socio-demographic groups:
o Males 23.4% (24.7%/23.7%)
o Females 12.5% (16.7%/18.3%)
o People with a limiting longstanding illness or disability 7.5% (7.9%/8.8%)
o Those without longstanding illness or disability 20.5% (23.8%/23.3%)
o Black and other ethnic minority groups 16.6% (21.4%/18.6%)
o Adults of white origin 17.8% (20.5%/21.2%)
o Lowest socio-economic groups 12.4% (16.0%/16.3%)
o Highest socio-economic groups 28.9% (24.9%/25.1%)
· Gateshead has the third lowest participation rate in the North East region and is ranked 324 out of 354 local authorities surveyed.
· Nationally walking is the most popular recreation activity, followed by swimming and going to the Gym. Cycling, football, running and jogging, golf, badminton, tennis and aerobics make up the top 10.
Volunteering
· 2.5% (4.2%/4.7%) of the adult population contribute to at least one hour a week volunteering to sport.
Club membership, receiving tuition, taken part in organised competition
· 20.6% (23.0/25.1%) of the adult population are members of a club where they take part in sport.
· 14.7% (15.7%/18.0%) of adults have received tuition from an instructor or coach over the last 12 months.
· 10.3% (13.0%/15.0%) have taken part in organised sport in the last 12 months.
Satisfaction with sports provision in the local area
· 72.0% (70.4%/69.5%) of adults are fairly or very satisfied with sports provision in their local area.
Gateshead are in the lower quartile for all key indicators with the exception on the satisfaction with sports provision in the local area.
Key Areas for improvement
· Increasing activity levels in women
· Increasing activity levels of those with the lower socio-economic groups will be key targets.
These two areas will form a key part of the developing Gateshead Plan for Sport and Physical Activity and the partnerships comments would be welcomed.