What did our research with the sector conclude?
The research highlighted significant barriers faced by individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, including financial constraints, lack of access to facilities, and limited opportunities due to higher living costs and geographic isolation. There was a clear call for more accessible, community-centered, and affordable sports options to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent participation.
The following comments are from the 2024 research study, reflecting the range of views expressed by participants.
- "The cost of entry can be a real obstacle - membership fees, equipment, transport. For many families, these are just out of reach, making sport feel like a luxury instead of a right."
- "When you're worried about bills and food, paying for sports activities isn't even on the table. The reality is, we need to make sport free or low-cost to truly include everyone."
- "Bringing sport into the community, with no or low fees, can make a massive difference. Local sessions reduce travel costs and create a space where people feel comfortable and welcomed."
- "There's often a fear of being judged-for not having the right gear or not fitting in. We need to foster a more accepting environment that welcomes everyone, regardless of their background."
- "For families with limited resources, offering childcare, family-friendly classes, and pay-what-you-can models can open doors that were previously closed."
- "Transportation alone can be a huge barrier, especially in rural areas. Without reliable, affordable transport, even the best programs remain out of reach for many."
- "We need to reframe sport as something accessible and enjoyable for all-about health, socializing, and personal growth, rather than just competition."
Barriers
Cost:
The costs of memberships, equipment and activities are a well-known barrier to physical activity for those affected by poverty and low-income. The cost of living crisis of recent years, characterised by rising energy, housing and food costs , has worsened the already difficult economic and financial situations of families and individuals who are struggling. A report by Sport England found that people from the most deprived areas and from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to say their levels of physical activity have been negatively affected by cost-of-living increases.[1]
Health impacts of poverty and austerity:
People in lower socioeconomic groups are more likely to have long-term health conditions, and conditions which are more severe than those experienced by people in higher socioeconomic groups. These conditions may deter, and often prevent those from lower income households from engaging in sports. It may also worsen pre-existing health conditions.[2] There is furthermore evidence that government cuts in public spending and other policies have increased child poverty and health inequalities over the period of 2010 - 2020.[3]
Judgement:
Concerns around appearance, sports gear, ability and equipment can act as a significant limiting factor for people from low socioeconomic backgrounds engaging in sport and physical activity.
Accessibility:
People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may have issues with accessing sport or doing physical activity due to the lack of availability of classes, leisure centers or other sports activities in their local area, combined with financial constraints, lack of time and childcare issues.
Environment: Running and playing outside are all free activities, however, the availability of this depends entirely on where someone lives. A person may not have immediate access to green space in their neighbourhood, or even safe green space, which prevents children from free outdoor exercise.
What we can do about it
Accessibility
- Funding - High costs are a huge barrier for people from lower income backgrounds accessing sport. Think about ways your facility / organisation / team could do outreach programmes for those who live locally but are unable to pay for memberships. Offer free and low-cost memberships and programmes whenever possible to improve access.
- Into the community - physically accessing sports facilities / teams is difficult for some as they may rely on public transport (which comes at a cost), or they may not have time to travel the necessary distance after / before work. Think about ways of bringing your expertise into the community for local engagement sessions.
- Childcare - lack of access to childcare is a large barrier for many families, and especially women, when accessing sport. Does your facility have a space for childcare, or even child classes?
Inclusion and awareness
- Zero tolerance for bullying - challenge any negative behaviours or language and respond with zero tolerance, e.g. banned from the gym, kicked off the team. Create environments where people feel safe reporting this type of behaviour; offer an anonymous feedback box.
- Raise awareness of health impacts of poverty and government cuts - work with local media and community organisations to raise awareness about how poverty is affecting people's health outcomes and ability to participate in physical activity, and how government cuts to benefits and services are worsening these outcomes and abilities.
Encourage participation in sport
- Perceptions - for some people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, sport and physical activity can seem daunting, overly competitive, and expensive. But clubs / facilities / organisations can help encourage participation in sport as a way to be healthy with the family; to catch up with friends; to meet new people; to be an energy boost before work; to be a place to develop new skills; and a place for self-improvement that's about being your best self, not the best athlete as compared to others.
Tailor to individual needs
- Gather feedback - develop ways of gathering feedback from people to ensure their needs and experiences are being reflected in the delivery of programmes and activities, as well as making them as accessible as possible.
