The ‘Inclusion Through Activity’ programme will run for two years and be delivered by Active Stirling, on behalf of Stirling Council, through working in partnership with charity Signpost Recovery.
By referring service users to sport and physical activity at the earliest point of contact, it will aim to bring positive and sustainable lifestyle changes and remove the barriers to participation.
The two-year scheme is being funded by the Changing Lives through Sport and Physical Activity Fund - a partnership between the Scottish Government, sportscotland, the Robertson Trust and Spirit of 2012.
Councillor Chris Kane, Convener of the Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, said: “We want to change lives in Stirling through sport, physical activity and healthy living, and I am delighted that we have secured funding for this innovative project, which will allow Active Stirling to work more directly to reduce the health risks brought on by problematic alcohol and substance use.”
Jude Deacons, Community Activation Manager at Active Stirling, said: “We know physical activity can benefit those in recovery, however, this project will allow us to better understand the wider life-changing benefits of building physical activity in at an earlier stage to those facing health inequalities and barriers to participation through alcohol and drug use.”
Signpost Recovery works with over 200 individuals in Stirling and will aim to engage a minimum of 25 per cent of them during the project. This mirrors the Forth Valley Alcohol Drug Partnership target of service users achieving employability/education or training when discharged.
Launched in April this year, the £1million Changing Lives Through Sport and Physical Activity Fund will benefit a total of 17 projects nationally, with each receiving between £42,151 and £69,985 over a period of two years.
Each of the projects will use the power of sport to effect positive change in local communities. The fund is being delivered by Spirit of 2012.
Spirit of 2012 Chief Executive, Debbie Lye: “We are delighted to be working with Active Stirling again, following our successful partnership through the Legacy 2014 Physical Activity Fund.
“They and we know how important it is to bring sports and physical activity opportunities to those least active across Scotland, helping boost both physical and mental wellbeing.
“We’re very proud to be managing the Changing Lives through Sport and Physical Activity Fund which we know will mark the start of a very positive movement for change.”
Sport Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “Sport has the power to change lives and we know that being physically active is one of the best things we can do for your physical and mental health.
“That is why programmes such as this are so important. These projects specifically use sport to deliver real change in communities across the country, bringing them together, helping health and wellbeing and developing useful skills.”
Pictured are participants at the Forth Valley Recovery Olympics in August. Organised by the Forth Valley Recovery Community, the event is a celebration of recovery in communities and an opportunity to promote health & well-being. Attracting teams from all across Scotland, it’s attended by people in recovery, along with staff and families.