FAQs

Which areas will benefit?

Aylesbury South-West will be the primary area of focus for this investment, but the learning and whole system approach means that benefits will be felt across Buckinghamshire. 

Find out more about how Sport England works in place in this video  

How was the focus area chosen?

• Sport England’s Uniting the Movement Strategy details how they are targeting the greatest resource to areas with highest inactivity levels and other social need indicators, as this is where the biggest impact on key outcomes is possible. 

• Sport England recognise that no two places are the same, so they use a range of data sources to inform their investment decisions, including physical activity data from our Active Lives Surveys, as well as wider social data including the index of multiple deprivation (IMD), community need and health inequalities data. 

• Although Buckinghamshire is often seen as affluent, some communities face deep inequalities. Using data and insight from the Place Need Classification, Bucks Data Exchange and local consultation, Leap identified Aylesbury South‑West as the area of greatest need, supported by strong partner engagement and existing community relationships. 

• Aylesbury South-West shows consistently high levels of deprivation and inequality across unemployment, health, crime and disability. It has a younger population, higher ethnic diversity, and twice the county’s rate of children living in low‑income households. Only 44.9% of children and young people are active, with youth inequality more than double the Buckinghamshire average. 

• Residents report low pride of place and a lack of community assets, with Edinburgh Playing Fields highlighted as a particular concern. Engagement with Buckinghamshire Council, Opportunity Bucks, the ICB, VCSE partners and local stakeholders confirms both the need and strong readiness for investment to create long‑term community‑led change. 

How is the money being spent?

• The investment was awarded following a successful and robust application to Sport England. Leap co-ordinated this application on behalf of Buckinghamshire after thorough consultation with partners and is led by local need and resident voice.   

• Governance comes via the PUO Board which was formally established with Terms of Reference in February 2026. 

• Primarily based on four conditions for change: 

1. Identifyingbarriers and enablers of physical activity 
2. Capacity and capability across the workforce, volunteers and in communities
3. Organisational policies and processes and structures enableplace basedworking 
4. Leadership

The investment across these four conditions for change will include support to build on existing progress, place based, test and learn approaches, capacity and capability building, collaboration and networking, leadership support and support to evaluate and learn.  

• Leap, as an Active Partnership hold the investment on behalf of the PUO Board as per Sport England’s investment approach. 

Identifying what to focus on in Aylesbury South-West

Data, stakeholder engagement and local perspectives have all contributed to direct our focus on improving positive experiences for Children and Young People (CYP) and their families living in ASW. 

How is this investment different to things that have happening before?

• This investment isn’t solely for the delivery of interventions, programmes or projects. It isn’t short term 6–8 week new sessions helicoptered into an area and then not sustainable 

• This isn’t about looking just at the symptom of inactivity, it’s about looking deeper at the root cause. The work will aim to address the systems that shape daily life – transport, safety, housing, and access to green and blue space 

• This works on the learning from Local Delivery Pilots (LDPs) which Sport England have been investing in since 2017.  

Can I apply for funding for my activity or session?

This investment does not include a general delivery fund for local providers or programmes. However, we may be able to support activity that directly connects to one of our test & learn themes in the Aylesbury South West area, which include: 

• Kit & Equipment Recycle Scheme 

• Increasing Family Access to Leisure & Community Clubs 

• Active Travel Mobilisation Project 

• Connecting & Enhancing Community Health & Wellbeing 

If your idea does not align with these themes, or you are looking for broader delivery funding, we encourage you to explore Sport England’s Movement Fund, which offers grants to help people be more active. 

I already work in this area, can I get involved?

Absolutely, understanding what is already happening locally is a vital part of the PUO and we want to accelerate / complement existing work in the area. 
 

Please contact Shay Fenlon (Bucks Place Programme Manager at Leap) sfenlon@leapwithus.org.uk