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Coronavirus Update - For the Sector

We're living in unprecedented times and in rapidly changing circumstances. We know all of our partners and colleagues are working hard over this period to adapt and that there are increasing worries about livelihoods and peoples futures. 

With advice changing so frequently, it is difficult to answer many questions, there are still very many unknowns, here we set out some links to the latest guidance:

Government Guidance for the Phased Return of Outdoor Sport & Recreation

On Sunday 10 May, the Prime Minister announced that lockdown restrictions would be eased in England in relation to physical activity and that some outdoor activity areas would be allowed to re-open from Wednesday 13 May.

The following guidance is now available: 

Summary information from the Sport & Recreation Alliance can be found here along with FAQ's from DEFRA about additional support on inland waterways and navigation.

Sport England: 

Sport England: have announced that they have two key priorities during this period of uncertainty: supporting the sector, and encouraging people to stay active. On their website you will find information about funding flexibilities and other funding support. They have a dedicated email address coronavirus@sportengland.org where you can contact them about impact of coronavirus on your organisation and the type of help you think would be beneficial now and in the future. Find out more

Sport England Funding: Sport England are making up to £195 million of funding available to help the sport and physical activity sector through the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis. Find out more.

The package is made up of the following: 

  • A £20 million Community Emergency Fund, which will be opened immediately for clubs and community organisations to bid into. Grants between £300 and £10,000 are available. Please note that this fund has now stopped taking applications. If it re-opens in the future we will let everyone know.
  • A £5 million pot for existing partners to bid into if they're facing specific financial difficulty
  • An additional £55 million to support our sector during an ongoing period of restrictions, to fund new and innovative ways to keep people active and, when the period of restrictions is over, to help organisations get back to business and adjust to a different environment 
  • A £115 million rollover of current funding into 2021/22 to give long term certainty to over 100 well established partners who play a vital role in the delivery of sport and physical activity in England. 

Financial support for businesses & charities: 

Funding: If you have funding in place already and are worried about this, please get in touch with your funders direct. A number of funders have already expressed they are happy to be flexible, but you must make contact with them. If you are looking for funding, please see our funding page which we will update with any new funds. Please also sign up to our funding newsletter here. 

Charities Commission: If you are set up as a Charity, please refer to the latest advice from the Charities Commission. This includes information for Trustees, information about the use of reserves and more.

Support for Self Employed: Find out if you are eligible here.

Government Business Support: The Government have announced a number of measures to support businesses, you will find the latest here.

Many clubs, groups and other leisure businesses will be entitled to Business Grants from the Government including some charities and community amateur sports clubs.

The two main grant schemes are:

Small business grant funding of £10,000 for all businesses in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief.

Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund of £10,000 or £25,000 depending upon the property's rateable value, must be less than £51,000. Dont know what your rateable value is, find it here.

Further guidance and details on both can be found here

If you think you are eligible and havent received yours please contact your local district council on the links below:

Sector specific resources:

Club Matters: has been populated with a number of new resources, case studies and guidance re coronavirus, with more being developed soon.  All resources are designed to provide some helpful advice for clubs and delivery organisations. Topics include the financial support available from the Government, securing your facilities during short term closure, business continuity planning, running your organisation virtually and ideas to help keep members engaged from home. Information is available in a variety of formats, from webpages to downloadable resources and guidance notes.

They are also really keen to showcase the great way that clubs and organisations have been engaging members and volunteers as well as supporting their community. So please get in touch if you'd like to be included. They will also be adapting Club Matters workshops to go virtual! 

UK Coaching: have temporarily unlocked 10 of their most valuable subscriber resources, making them available to all registered on the site.

Sport & Recreation Alliance: The Sport & Rec Alliance have outlined how some of the Governments measures can support the sport and recreation sector at this difficult time.

CIMSPA: Have created a hub as a place to bring together advice and practical assistance on coronavirus (Covid-19), including offers of support from many of their partners.

UK Active: Advice and guidance for the sector and the latest on Covid 19.

Your Governing Body: We would advise sports clubs to check their national governing body of sport website for additional sport specific information. 

Facility Maintenance

Looking after sports facilities during lockdown and preparing for there reopening when the time is right will understandably be something clubs, organisations and local authorities are thinking about at the moment. To help, we have rounded up links to the expert advice available on grounds / facility maintenance during this period:

Swimming Pools: Guidance on Temporary Pool Closure – PWTAG

Natural Turf: Guidance on Interim Works for Sports Turf – GMA

Artificial Surfaces: 

Support in Cumbria: 

Cumbria County Council: Find the latest information about Covid-19 in the county here. 

Cumbria CVS: The wider third sector in Cumbria is being supported by Cumbria CVS, see information here. 

Action for Communities Cumbria: Support for communities and community building is available through Action for Communities Cumbria, see information here.

About Us

As a result of the COVID-19 virus, the Active Cumbria Team will be working in a different way for the foreseeable future. We will be working from home, minimising our non-essential traveling, and will be looking to use virtual meetings wherever possible. This is very much in line with the procedures of our host agency, Cumbria County Council.

Unfortunately we have taken the decision to postpone the delivery of many of our services during this time, including Cumbria School Games, Walking for Health, Activate, Satellite Clubs, and our courses programme.

All of our Team can be contacted either via email or mobile phone, and the details can be found here

Request support or simply just contact us here...

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