Community Leisure UK (CLUK) and The Richmond Group of Charities have joined forces to support charitable trusts and social enterprises in strengthening their programmes for people with long-term health conditions.

The informal collaboration will see CLUK members receive support from the Richmond Group of Charities, suggesting ways to inspire and support people living with long-term conditions in how to become more active in ways that work for them – as well as improving staff understanding and training.

The Richmond Group of Charities is responsible for creating the We Are Undefeatable campaign, in partnership with Mind and the MS Society. Backed by Sport England with National Lottery funding, the campaign is about inspiring and empowering people with long-term health conditions and disabilities to find an activity they enjoy.

Duleep Allirajah, CEO of The Richmond Group of Charities, says: “The community leisure sector has an essential role to play in supporting people with long-term conditions to become and stay physically active. The programmes, services and spaces can help people with long-term conditions find ways to move close to home that work for them and play a vital role in offering inclusive and accessible choices.

“By working more closely with CLUK and its members, we will ensure that the lived experience of the people we represent informs how opportunities to be active are tailored to their needs and that we reach every section of the community.”

CLUK members will be encouraged to actively share their experience and contribute to the knowledge bank with examples of good practice. They will also have access to The Richmond Group of Charities’ Bridging the Gap Report. Key themes of this consultation include why the NHS is only a starting point for people with health conditions to become more active; how the empathy gap may be hindering support for people with health conditions and the pivotal role health charities can and must play in supporting physical activity.

Kirsty Cumming, CLUK’s chief executive, says: “This new partnership will give our members even greater understanding of how to get even more people living with long-term health conditions active.

“The data and insight from this report is invaluable in terms of understanding the barriers people face and knowing this presents the opportunity for our members to do even more social good as charities and social enterprises, helping to bridge the gaps in communities for everyone to be able to lead an active, happier and healthy life”.