Our Rossendale locality has been utilising their Rossendale Connected network to create sustainable and meaningful change within their place.
The network is made up of 130+ individuals across different organisations, united by a common passion, Health & Wellbeing in Rossendale. Together they aim to “Connect for a better Rossendale” to improve opportunities within the area; including physical activity and mental wellbeing priorities.
Over the years the network has collectively hosted a series of ‘Big Connect’ events to focus attention on their collaborative priorities, including Mental Health, Schools, Young People, Sports Club Awards and more. In November they hosted their ‘Big Connect: Get Rossendale Active’ event; a Physical Activity conference organised to commence discussions, share ideas and start to form objectives that would enable the development of the Rossendale Physical Activity Strategy.
The conference opened with a ten minute movement group exercise delivered by Rossendale Leisure Trust’s Project Officer – intending to introduce chair-based physical activity suitable for the office. The exercise session was followed by inspirational talks from guest speakers and a presentation showcasing where the borough currently stands in terms of active lives data. It ended with seven round table group discussions.
Following the conference, there will be a series of networking sessions held to deepen the conversations about physical activity, with topics including:
• What should we be doing more of to move to physical activity being part of people’s daily lives?
• How can we use the available insight to ensure that we create the right activities for the people of Rossendale?
• How should our network work closer to break down barriers for target groups in Rossendale?
• How will we know we are making good progress? What does good look like?
• How do we use the communication methods available to us to better embed physical activity into people’s lives?
The sessions will further inform the strategy objectives and how they can work collaboratively to deliver the Rossendale Physical Activity Strategy in 2024.
Teamwork and collaboration with the council and other community groups has supported and empowered us to be all we can be.
Jackie Shove, The Village People Community Group Crawshawbooth
How connected is Rossendale Connected
TaAF wanted to understand the impact of the Rossendale Connected Network and how they could improve to spark a true movement into Rossendale communities. Using a diagnostic tool designed by Innovisor Inc. we were able to map out how ‘connected’ Rossendale Connected is.
This research is informing decisions within the local authority to ensure this network is sustained for the future and opening up new conversations with the Rossendale Connected Community.
Learn more about Rossendale Connected and their work with TaAF in our latest Staying Curious Report to Sport England.
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