Bedfordshire students to tackle lack of participation in sport

Fri 16 January, 2015

The latest University of Bedfordshire Business School Practice Weeks sees students tackle the barriers to participation in sport and physical activity in Luton.

First-year students will conduct research into the issue, focusing on young people (18-25) in Luton’s Dallow, Biscot and Saints wards. As part of the Youth Insight Project, students will collaborate with Luton Borough Council (LBC), Sport England, Active Luton and Luton Town Football Club.

The first Practice Week event, which took place in December, featured talks from LBC, Sport England and Active Luton. The second practice week kicks off on 19^th January, with stage three of the project taking place in March.

The second week of the programme will see students engaging with young people through questionnaires, social media and interviews in a range of community settings around Luton. The data captured will help to influence the way local service providers approach sport and physical activity in the town.

Launched in October 2013, Practice Weeks are a Business School initiative bringing students together with businesses and communities to produce workplace-ready graduates with the skills and competencies that employers look for. Over 35 Practice Weeks took place last year and are now embedded across the curriculum at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The Dean of the Business School, Dr Gordon Mellor, said:

“The purpose of the Practice Week project is to ensure the students are equipped for the workplace by giving them a real project where they can apply classroom learning.

“Furthermore, The Youth Insight Project aims to engage with local partners and people on a project that has measurable outcomes and impact in our communities.”

Cllr Aslam Khan, LBC’s Portfolio Holder for sport and public health, added:

“We are absolutely committed to ensuring more people are able to take part in sport and physical activity and lead more healthy lifestyles. However, we know that there are a number of barriers which are preventing certain groups taking part.

“I am therefore delighted to be teaming up with other committed partners on this project so we can find out what the barriers are and so we know what needs to be done to ensure people are not only able to take part in sport and physical activity, but feel comfortable doing so.”

Young people are encouraged to get involved in the following ways: