ORGANISATIONS across Dorset will benefit from a funding boost to tackle inequalities in sport.

Active Dorset has been awarded £50,000 of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Tackling Inequalities Fund, which aims to combat inequalities in activity levels to reach those most in need as a result of the impact of Covid-19.

The funding award will allow Active Dorset to work with a range of organisations including charities Age UK North, South and West Dorset and Help and Care and not-for-profit community clubs in orienteering and cycling.

Age UK North, South and West Dorset will utilise the funding to offer free online exercise classes to older people, in particular those who have a long-term condition. The charity will also adopt a 'moving more guidance' script that will support staff and volunteers to have conversation about physical activity levels and signpost effectively.

Sport England’s work and contribution to Tackling Inequalities focuses on reducing the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on activity levels in under-represented groups, ensuring gaps between those who are active and those who are not do not widen during this period.

Clive Nelson, Active Dorset’s Diversification Manager, said: "This funding will make a difference across Dorset county to those most affected by Covid-19. We are looking for additional organisations to support and encourage anyone working with our target audiences to get in contact with Active Dorset."

Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England’s Chief Executive, said: "We are proud to be able to provide funding and support to Active Dorset in this difficult period. This funding will help support our valuable community infrastructure that is so important in keeping the nation active and will also provide important connections and reconnections for people whose lives have been affected by Covid-19 and for whom remaining active is so important for their physical, mental and social wellbeing. We know from our research and data that there are existing inequalities between groups when it comes to activity levels and Covid-19 has reinforced these.

"Thanks to the support of the National Lottery and its players, the Tackling Inequalities Fund will be both crucial and central to ensuring no-one is left behind when it comes to having the opportunity to be active during this period. This builds off the back of our £35m Community Emergency Fund that has already reached and supported over 7,500 community clubs and groups across England."