New workshops and mentoring for grassroots sports organisations launching this Spring

We are proud to have supported partners on Sport For Good West Yorkshire, a free programme of mentoring and workshops on key priorities for sports clubs and organisations. 

Almost 2,500 sports clubs and organisations (SCOs) are registered in West Yorkshire. They play an important role in their local communities, offering a place for people to come together and feel proud of their community. 

But this is being put at risk as SCOs face more and more challenges:  
•    Utility costs, hire fees and insurance have all increased. This often has an impact on membership and participation fees (13% of SCOs report increasing membership fees) 
•    The cost of living is freezing young people out of participating (50% of SCOs reported that young people are unable to afford fees) 
•    There has been a national drop in volunteering, impacting the majority of SCOs run and operated by volunteers  

To overcome these challenges, some SCOs are considering reducing their sessions and many are using their reserves. But this is not a long-term solution.   

Sport For Good
A new programme for people who run sports clubs and organisations in the most deprived areas of West Yorkshire to increase the resilience, engagement, sustainability and diversity of their organisation. 

•    Completely free
•    Evening workshops available
•    Examples of best practice for sports organisations
•    Practical advice to fit your needs and capacity
•    From experienced professionals who get results

The programme is funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and is a partnership between the five Local Infrastructure Organisations in West Yorkshire, as well as specialist partner Participate Projects. They will bringing their collective expertise with voluntary and community organisations of all sizes and knowledge of communities across West Yorkshire. 

Workshops 
Free workshops will be held online and in-person in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield. Topics will include: 
•    Bid writing and fundraising
•    Equality, diversity and inclusion
•    Sustainable practices
•    Volunteering
•    Governance and leadership
•    Engaging communities and local partnerships
•    Revenue diversification
•    Inclusive marketing
•    Membership development

Mentoring
Mentoring sessions with experienced professionals will be available for eligible sports clubs or organisations who need extra support. These sessions will see eligible clubs receive support and expert advice in bid-writing or developing a fundraising plan.  

Coming soon
The programme will launch in March and details will be available on this website. Places on workshops will be limited.

This project is part of the £2.3 million You Can Make It Here programme. Funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the programme aims to support and grow the region’s creative sector through a range of training and investment opportunities.