Questions to the Mayor of London – answered at on 13 September 2019.
How does Sport Unites specifically support the most vulnerable Londoners?
Sport is internationally recognised for its ability to improve wellbeing and positively contribute to solving social problems for example: reducing social isolation, improving social inclusion, putting young people on pathways to employment, and bringing people from different backgrounds together.
Sport Unites incorporates a £3m portion of the Young Londoners Fund, to invest in activities for young people severely at risk of serious youth violence. 43 projects totalling £360,000 were funded this summer to provide sporting activities for these Londoners during the summer holiday. I am also investing £1.1m in experienced organisations providing meaningful employment opportunities and reducing (re)offending rates among young people.
In addition, Sport Unites specifically contributes to reducing health inequalities across London. 160 projects have been supported across Sport Unites, focusing on London’s most deprived communities and vulnerable groups including: 19 projects in Hackney, 12 in Newham, 12 in Haringey, and 18 projects specifically engaging Londoners with disabilities.