Social Exclusion

We take note that individuals, groups and communities that are socially excluded tend to:

• Have poorer educational attainment and aspirations.
• Live in communities which are less safe.
• Have high proportions of the disenfranchised elderly and young.
• Have poorer health.
• Live in isolated environments or environments with a high degree of decay and deprivation.
• Be "hard to reach" in terms of traditional channels of communication for council and other services.

We believe that ensuring the benefits of participation in leisure opportunities are accessible to them can enhance the quality of life of those suffering social exclusion. The physical environments of the deprived areas can also be improved by the provision of facilities for local participation in leisure.

Leisure opportunities can also provide a medium by which disaffected young people and others who may be long term unemployed or have low educational attainment, can be attracted into non-traditional training opportunities, such as Community Sports Leadership Awards and Sports Coaching qualifications (which may provide a pathway to further education or to employment in the sport and leisure sector). We note that a wealth of opportunities also exists in the voluntary sector for people to practice these and other skills and to acquire experience (which may increase their employability and economic independence).

We have a thorough understanding of these issues and can help plan and/or undertake leisure related work contributing to Social Inclusion projects. We will always ensure that the contribution of Leisure to these important issues is highlighted in our Strategy development.