Rotherham set for funding to boost exercise levels

Rotherham is set to gain a funding grant for a range of programmes aimed at increasing physical activity levels amongst the borough's residents.

A report to the council's cabinet states the area has one of the highest levels of inactivity in the country, with nearly a third of adults not meeting the recommended levels of exercise.

The £455,000 grant from Sport England would focus on areas with the highest levels of inactivity and deprivation to help get people of all ages moving.

The report is seeking approval for the proposed spending of the grant and will be presented to the council's cabinet on 17 March.

It proposes spending approximately half of the funding on hiring new staff to help lead the initiative, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

About £85,000 would be spent on projects and community engagement support, with half of this going to the Voluntary Action Rotherham charity.

The project aims to work with the organisation to find new ways to make use of local outdoor and green spaces for physical activity.

More than £150,000 of the funding pot is set to create an activity hub hosted by Connect Healthcare, providing exercise sessions for those with long-term health conditions.

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