The Nancy Oldfield Trust Receives Sport England and RYA Tackling Inequalities Funding

The fund is part of a scheme that has seen the RYA awarded £150,000 of Sport England funding to be allocated to clubs and centres to help reduce the negative impact of COVID-19 and the widening of the inequalities in sport and physical activity. Through this funding RYA OnBoard and Sailability venues in England could apply for grants of up to £10,000 to be used for projects which engage with: Lower socio-economic groups; Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities; Disabled People and People with long term health conditions.

Once the Nancy Oldfield Trust were able to return to activities in August this year, following the easing of lockdown, the Centre has been working with various groups, including: the Norfolk Family Carers - who facilitate respite breaks for local families with caring responsibilities; Nelson’s Journey – which supports bereaved children, and the Hebron Trust – who support women recovering from addiction, with links developing to others. The funding will go towards reaching out to such groups, which is facilitated through a Changing Tack Co-Ordinator, providing support for this role.

Stephen Bradnock, Centre Manager for the Trust said:

‘We are absolutely delighted to have been successful in our application to the Royal Yachting Association for a grant from the Tackling Inequalities Fund. Although every year we welcome thousands of visitors with many different challenges from all sorts of backgrounds, we are aware that the most disadvantaged members of our society are often the hardest to reach. In the present challenging circumstances of the pandemic, it is also clear that the inequality of opportunity for many individuals and communities is also increasing.

This funding will allow us to increase the amount of time we can devote to reaching those individuals who would most benefit from a visit to the Nancy Oldfield Trust. With this funding we will be able to devote more staff time to contacting, supporting and welcoming people to the Trust, whether for day trips or extended stays in our residential accommodation. We will also be able to offer significant support from our bursary fund for people with limited means, to be able to enjoy the benefits of water activities with us on the Norfolk Broads. If you work with people experiencing inequality of any kind, are someone in this position, or if you know of someone that we could be helping we would be delighted to hear from you.’

To get in touch with the Nancy Oldfield Trust visit here or email info@nancyoldfield.org.uk

RYA Director of Sport Development, Alistair Dickson concludes: “We’re delighted to be able to share this funding with so many deserving OnBoard and Sailability organisations. The venues selected are all going to be running fantastic projects and we look forward to hearing about the impact that they will have on the club or centre and on the underrepresented communities in which they aim to reach.”

Find more information about the RYA Sailability and RYA OnBoard programmes.

If you’d like to find out more about how to get out on the water and start your sailing adventure visit http://www.rya.org.uk/go/startboating