Get Out Get Active Impact Report
GOGA is Spirit’s flagship grant with £7.5 million invested over 8 years with the aim of reaching inactive people through inclusive sport.
Get Out Get Active (GOGA) has enabled thousands of people, young and old, disabled and non-disabled, to be active together across the UK – focusing on reaching those with the highest barriers to taking part.
GOGA was developed by Spirit of 2012 to take forward the sporting and physical activity legacy of the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics. It is Spirit’s largest investment in sport and physical activity through a £7.5 million grant to Activity Alliance who led on the delivery of GOGA across the UK with their partners Scottish Disability Sport, Disability Sport Wakes and Disability Sport NI.
In 2019 we were delighted to be joined by funder partners Sport England and the London Marathon Foundation who both contributed £1m each. A reflection of the success of GOGA in supporting people to become and stay active.
Since 2016, it has been successfully reaching the least active and supporting disabled and non-disabled people to become active together. It has engaged some the least active people in the UK through fun and inclusive activities.
GOGA’s Impact Report shows that is has engaged over 55,000 people and supported them in their active journey.
The Impact Report shows that:
- On average 4 in 10 (44%) are physically inactive when joining GOGA.
- GOGA has supported 8 in 10 (78%) to do more physical activity.
- 7 in 10 (74%) have continued to be active and maintained their activity levels outside of the GOGA programme.
- 8 in 10 (81%) state improvements in their mental well-being after taking part in GOGA activities.
- 6 in 10 (60%) are now more connected within their community.
- GOGA leads by example with a representative workforce. Almost 3 in 10 (28%) volunteers have a disability.
As well as participants there have been more than 4,000 volunteers engaged at sessions, with almost three in 10 volunteers having a disability.
Whilst aiming to get some of the UK’s least active people moving more, the financial benefits are brought to life in the Impact Report. It shows that for every £1 invested, GOGA has delivered more than £4.60 in social, environmental, and economic value.
The report showcases the insight gathered through GOGA, providing valuable information for those that want to mirror the successes seen. It shows that GOGA has become much more than an activity programme. It is an approach to helping organisations and communities, across the UK, to support the least active disabled and non-disabled people in activity.
Key learning in reaching the least active
Look wide, engage wider:
Broadening engagement approaches through partners (schools, non-sport community organisations, targeted community groups, social prescribers) is critical.
Share control:
Meaningful partnership working is key, especially with grassroots organisations that are embedded in the targeted communities.
Activity should be secondary:
Instead of focusing on getting people active, emphasise the social benefits such as combating isolation. Take an approach where activity is integrated into socialisation, rather than being the main focus.
Invest time in understanding needs:
Be proactive in understanding needs through new approaches and informal conversations (over tea and cake!). Create a non-judgemental environment where people feel comfortable sharing their experiences about current activity levels and barriers. Many people who are least active have had poor previous experiences in activity settings in the past.
GOGA participant, PembrokeshireI can have fun and enjoy my activity every time I attend. This week it wasn’t my legs that were aching – it was my cheeks from smiling
