London Together Learning Guide 2:

Approaches to sport and social integration

April 2020

Produced by:

With funding/support from:

 Introducing the Guide
London Together is a £3 million Sport
Unites partnership financed equally by the
Mayor of London and Comic Relief. London What are the key factors What are the elements and combination of
Together invests in sport for What are the key factors involved in
in engaging our target sport and non-sport provision that are key
sustaining participant involvement?
change approaches that aim to improve social groups in our project? for social integration?
integration in London. The 3-year
fund launched in 2018 and a list of the
projects funded through rounds 1 and 2 of
London Together can be found here.

Across the course of the project, the Mayor

of London and Comic Relief have worked
with the consultancy inFocus to bring
together the different projects into a ‘learning
community’ to explore key topics in relation
to Sport (including different forms of physical
activity) and Social Integration. In the first
year of the initiative, the guides are based on
the theory of change and learning questions
shown to the right, with the questions
chosen by the projects themselves. This is
the first of a series of guides that bring
together the experiences and advice from the
different projects.

It is important to note that not every

guide will include information that is relevant
in every context, and they are not a definitive
‘check-list’ of what every project should do.
Rather, they are intended as ‘food for
thought’ for anyone planning a sport for
change project, particularly one focused on
social integration.

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 Part 1: Advantages and Disadvantages of using sport for social integration

Sport can foster different positive values that can help to bring a group People can have a negative perception of sport, and what getting involved in
closer together, such as teamwork and fair play. Being part of a team, sporting activity might involve. For example, homophobia in sports and
playing together in this same kits, can forge a strong sense of shared exclusion based on gender can give sport a negative perception.
identity in a group.
Sporting activities can be expensive to deliver, for example hiring venues and
Sport provides a range of options for modifying activities to meet a range providing equipment. In this guide, we look
of different needs, particularly though building key messaging into a at different
particular supporting activity. There can also be costs for participants that act as a barrier to taking part, such approaches from the
as purchasing equipment (and feeling pressure to have the same equipment as London Together
Participation in sport builds confidence, not only in people’s ability to play their peers).
the sport, but also other aspects of life. This includes an increased projects using sport as
confidence in social interaction and forming friendships/relationships. The competitive nature of sport can lead to inequalities in a group if not a tool for social
managed effectively, for example, if participants are judged by other members of integration. We start
Engaging in regular physical activity can improve mental health and physical the group based on their ability. This can lead to cliques and divisiveness. by thinking about
fitness, which can help in addressing isolation. both the advantages
Pan-disability sports are not always relevant to participants with different and disadvantages of
Sport can help to breakdown stereotypes, helping to make a statement disabilities.
about who can do/is supposed to do what
using sport to address
isolation and drive
The gendered nature of sport, which traditionally could include men’s and
Projects using sport and physical activity for social integration can help women’s teams, kits and changing facilities does not lend itself to accessibility social integration. It is
people to access sports that would otherwise not be accessible (for and inclusion. important to consider
example, because they are too expensive). the pros and cons of
Cultural stereotyping is an issue, people can feel uncomfortable in spaces they using sport at the
Sport and physical activity has a strong cultural appeal across different ages, do not traditionally inhabit, particularly if they are visible minorities. outset of designing a
nationalities, ethnicities etc.
sport for social
integration project.

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Advantages Disadvantages
 Part 2: How are London Together grantees using sport for
social integration?

In the Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA) We Stand Get Onside is the Saracens Sport Foundation’s prison
Together, the refugees taking part have different programme which uses the values of rugby to develop the
levels of written/spoken English. While participants education and employability skills of offenders through an
have access to ESOL courses, in the project football intensive 8-week course in prison. The ultimate aim of the
is used as a non-verbal communication tool and the project is to reduce the reoffending rates of ex-offenders
social interaction to help refugees improve their upon their release from prison and help them to
English indirectly. This has also increased the reintegrate into society. This is achieved through both
confidence of the participants, and helped to build sporting and classroom sessions use and reflect upon
relationships between the participants. values Saracens feel is encompassed through rugby, such
Photograph: Jo Chukualim/Comic Relief. as honesty, discipline, work rate and humility.

Non-verbal and English Incorporating the values of a

language development particular sport
Reflecting on the
advantages of using
sport for social
integration from Muslim Girls Fence is a project collaboration The All Together -Deaf Londoners A shared love of sport, and it’s rich history and
the previous page, between Maslaha and British Fencing which aims Activation Programme, run by UK Deaf Sport, heritage, can also be used as a tool for social
we have included to facilitate spaces at a grassroot level for Muslim has created a robust and evidence led Deaf peer to integration. Sporting Memories clubs use trained
some of the girls and women to challenge assumptions and peer network through recruiting and training deaf volunteers to help older participants reminisce
different narratives relating to their gender, racial, religious activator champions across a number of London together in a group setting about their experiences
and other identities through both physical and boroughs who engage, encourage and support deaf of watching or playing sport, supported by
approaches used by
creative methods. The girls and women are communities to integrate within their communities memorabilia and resources defined by the
London Together participant’s sporting interests and preferences.
coached to learn the traditionally elite and white, through activities. One of the aims of the project is
projects to the male-dominated sport of fencing. Through this, to breakdown barriers and demonstrate the abilities This is followed at least 45 minutes of physical
right that highlight they physically confront the stereotypes of of deaf people, for example, to help attendees at activity with a range of activities and sports and
some of the fencers, but also the expectations our society has inclusive training to get a greater understanding of balance and strength exercises. The aim of the
different values of them: that Muslim women and girls are weak, deafness and increased confidence in including deaf project is to reduce isolation through increasing
sport can bring in subordinated and lacking agency. people in their activities social connections and building a greater sense of
community belonging among participants.
supporting social
integration. Demonstrating and showcasing
Using sport to confront stereotypes Finding a common interest in
ability sporting culture
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 Part 3: How and where social integration happens: individuals, groups and community levels

Participants may lack confidence or Many projects focus on forging a connection The London Together group of projects
have anxiety about engaging in social across a group within a project, building a highlighted the importance of maintaining
settings and developing relationships. sense of community, safety and trust an open dialogue and working with
For example, due to isolation, language between participants in a group, and participants to identify the systematic
barriers, adverse childhood between participants and staff/volunteers. barriers that they. face in engaging in their
relationships or trauma (such as This might start by working in pairs and small wider community (and not making
bullying or harassment) or having groups and using ‘ice-breakers’ to build assumptions about these barriers).
As we explored on the limited interaction outside friends and confidence and could eventually involve
previous page, there is no family. mixing together groups from different Identifying these systematic problems can
‘one-size fits all’ approach locations within a project. help participants to think about what
to encouraging social Participants may have a lack of needs to change in their community and
integration through sport. understanding/knowledge of other Engagement in sport and physical activity the roles and responsibilities of
communities or have internalised within projects can encourage people of all stakeholders (such as local authorities).
The boxes to the right are
stereotypes that may need to be backgrounds to feel safe/welcome and foster
a summary of the different
addressed to foster social integration an environment of togetherness. (see part 2). Research and building up knowledge of the
approaches taken by
London Together projects local area and services available is
Many London Together projects start Utilising diverse staff/volunteers within important for signposting people to wider
in relation to how and projects can also show how people from
by working to build the confidence of opportunities.
where social integration different backgrounds work together.
participants, working individually to
happens across three
address specific needs and gradually Several projects work with partners
levels. This reflects that easing them into group activities. Focusing on positive stories about the lives of offering activities/facilities in the wider
there is often a need to participants can help to make people community to help to ensure that services
first working towards Staff/volunteers that have progressed reconsider preconceptions about others and were more accessible to participants.
social integration at an through the project can play a key role make them more empathetic.
individual level, then within at this stage as mentors and role- Other projects used mentors or
groups taking part in the models, particularly if they share a It can help to explore different identities ambassadors to attend wider activities in
project, and finally in the similar background to participants. within the group and what they mean to the community with participants to make
wider community. Not all each individual, highlighting both similarities sure they are supported as they take steps
projects adopt all steps, and differences. outside of the project .
and some may focus more
on a particular level.

Individuals Groups Community

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