Active Suffolk - July Workforce News Update

Since our last newsletter a few weeks ago, we have received a number of useful updates from Sport England and our training partners around resources and support available to the workforce to assist you / your clubs getting back up and running again once further government restrictions are lifted. Here you can find all the useful information that has been shared with us over the last few weeks...

Sport England and Club Matters Return to Play Resources

Practical tools to support Clubs and Organisations

While the government has not yet given the green-light to the wider reopening of facilities and the restarting of recreational sport, Sport England are expecting further movement on both of these areas in the coming days and weeks.

They believe it's important that we prepare for those changes now as much as possible, and that these changes enable and support the people whose activity levels have been most adversely impacted by the lockdown to get active as restrictions are eased. They have therefore published a range of resources this week to help achieve this.  

These resources will help plan for a safe and inclusive return and support the sector to keep staff, volunteers, members and participants informed of their responsibilities around social distancing. They will work alongside existing and forthcoming government guidance.

There is support for sports clubs and organisations, directly on the Club Matters website including:

•	*Reopening toolkit* – this includes information on how your club/organisation can plan its return to sport, with advice on what you need to think about across different areas such as reopening your facility and protecting your people.
•	*Risk register template* – this template, with a dedicated user guide, is designed to help your club/organisation introduce or update your practices regarding how you manage risks.
•	*Creating a risk assessment* – this draws from the current Health and Safety Executive advice and provides step-by-step guidance to help organisations address risk, including coronavirus-specific considerations.
•	*Social distancing guidance* – this resource covers the different practices and considerations your club/organisation may need to introduce so that social distancing can be implemented in line with current government advice.

On the Club Matters website you will also find resources from Activity Alliance, EMD UK and CIMSPA.

The resources on the Sport England website include:

•	Inclusion and accessibility guidance – helping you to understand the government guidance for different groups, how you can engage and reassure specific audiences who may be nervous of returning and how to ensure your facilities are, and remain, accessible to all when allowed to reopen.
•	Support for the professional workforce – including advice on staffing considerations for when the safe reopening of facilities is allowed, as well as news on support available from the government and links to resources such as training and development opportunities.
•	Volunteering guidance – setting out some of the main considerations to help your volunteers return safely, well-informed and prepared.
•	Managing liability and risk guidance – to give providers, be they clubs, governing bodies, community groups or regional associations, advice on what issues need considering and how they might tackle them in order to safely return to play.

Return to Play Mental Health Guidance

MIND Mental Health Guidance

MIND have created some Mental Health guidance which provides support to the return of the sport and physical activity sector. The guide aims to equip the sport and physical activity sector with the tools and information required to support the mental health of staff, coaches, volunteers and participants as we 'return to play'.

It is aimed at organisations, clubs and groups that wish to provide the very best experience for their workforce and participants as lockdown restrictions are eased and sport and physical activity returns. It includes guidance, good practice, tools and insight to help the sector to provide an environment that supports the mental health of the people working, volunteering and participating in sport and physical activity.

For more information and to access this guide please refer to our website.

Continuing Professional Development - Virtual training

With virtual training being the go to option under the current restrictions, most providers are now offering online training so you are able to continue with your professional development, with many providers offering discounted rates on their courses.

The Core Academy have announced a number of courses now available online and are even offering an Exercise referral qualification bundle to ensure instructors are equipped to offer the very best advice, prescribe exercises that are scientifically proven to be safe & effective for older adults, and support you in your growth as a specialist instructor & mentor you in your new role.

Whats included?

Level 3 Exercise Referral Diploma, Level 2 Chair based exercise, Level 3 Older Adult Programming, Level 2 Circuits - Special Populations, Core Ball Workshop, Otago Falls Prevention Workshop, Warm Up Ideas Workshop, Stress Release Workshop, Mentoring Package & Website Design

This bundle price of £1,750 is a massive £1,000 saving on the RRP price and there is the option to pay in instalments and either study as an intensive course (10am - 4pm Friday & Saturday throughout August) or Online (receive your schemes of work and progress through in your own time).

For more information or to enquire please refer to the details at the bottom of the page on our website.

The Core Academy are also offering various other qualifications with a 20% discount if booked before the 4th July, click here for more information on the courses available and prices.

The CPSU have just announced they have made their Time to Listen course (aimed at Club Welfare Officers) available virtually and with a Suffolk trainer ready and waiting to deliver it we can offer this to clubs or anyone needing to complete this course. For more information please refer to the link on our website and if you need to attend this training please contact info@activesuffolk.org.

Lastly don't forget to check out our dedicated CPD page on the website for all available virtual training currently taking place.

Finally, we just wanted to bring to your attention that sadly a number of thefts have taken place recently at some of our Suffolk Clubs. Four Cricket clubs in the North / East Suffolk areas have all experienced break ins and things stolen over the last few weeks. Therefore we strongly advise all clubs be vigilant and take reasonable measures to ensure their grounds machinery is secure, take photographs and check fully covered on insurance.