1TeamActive Announcement

1TeamActive is delighted to announce that the Police Forces taking part in this exciting pilot programme are Humberside, Northumbria, South Yorkshire, West Midlands and Wiltshire.

Created by TeamPolice, in partnership with Sport England and with £348k of funding from the National Lottery, 1TeamActive is a sport and activity programme to improve the health, lifestyle, and wellbeing of our Policing family.

This is the first initiative of its kind supporting the Police and their families and you can be a part of it.

The chosen Forces have been sent the links to their support packs and will be starting to advertise internally for people to sign up – so keep your eyes peeled if you would like to apply!

The first events will start at the end of June when Government restrictions are lifted and the 1TeamActive team has been working furiously to ensure that everything is ready for a successful launch.

These ‘introduction days’ will provide an opportunity for candidates and their families to learn, to meet others, and to try different activities in a supportive, fun and encouraging environment.

Following on from the initial event there will be 11 weeks of further activities – including a variety of online resources and training classes to provide flexible and encouraging help to keep participants engaged and, more importantly, active!

The support will cover all levels of ability to enable full family participation.

Matt Jukes, Assistant Commissioner Metropolitan Police and Chair of PSUK said, “I am delighted to hear that we have five forces signed up to engage with the 1TeamActive pilot scheme.

This is an exciting opportunity to support colleagues and their families coming out of this pandemic.

It’s been a time when keeping moving has been difficult and so, as restrictions ease, the launch of the event days on 26th June will be very welcome.

I’m sure those taking part will reap the benefits in terms of their fitness, at the same time as having fun with the whole family and creating lasting memories.”

Mike Diaper, Executive Director Children, Young People, & Tackling Inactivity at Sport England says, “We are pleased to be supporting 1TeamActive at a time when health and wellbeing has never been more important.

Keeping active during this challenging time will really help the way the police and their families feel, both physically and mentally, through innovative ways to get everyone active and having some fun.”

1TeamActive key objectives:

Embed a sustainable grass roots sport and activity programme within the Police Service which improves the mental and physical wellbeing of our police officers, staff, volunteers, and their families.

Ensure the programme has maximum reach and particularly to those who will experience the greatest benefit.

Provide opportunity, support and education to individuals that will have a lasting effect by changing lifestyle practices for the whole family.

Deliver improved work performance by inspiring and supporting happier and healthier lifestyles amongst staff.

Provide an evidence-base, through evaluation, which demonstrates the causal link between the improved mental and physical wellbeing of staff and their families and keeping people safe.

Ensure the programme is sustainable within the organisation delivering a continued healthy workforce.

Develop effective collaborative working relationships with all police forces involved with the programme.

Who is it aimed at?

Obviously a pilot scheme cannot encompass everyone so we want to initially support those who would benefit the most.

Sport England has highlighted two groups they would like 1TeamActive to focus on; those who wouldn’t normally be involved in sport and exercise and those who feel that their mental health has suffered due to the demands of policing.

So, if you do less than 150 minutes of moderate activity each week and you would like a physical and mental boost to your health, you are the ideal candidate.

We know that movement makes people feel happier and healthier and can have life-changing and sustainable benefits to health.

Signing up for 1TeamActive will encourage both you and your family to become more active in a fun, supportive and habit-forming way.

What is involved for me and my family?

You and your family will be invited to an initial event day.

This day is aimed to be fun, interactive, interesting, friendly and an opportunity to try different activities.

You will be given a 1Team Active T-shirt, bag and water bottle so you become and feel part of a team.

Following this day, you and your family, alongside others will engage in a 10–12 week activity programme where you will have two classes a week with an instructor.

We want you all to achieve at least 150 minutes of activity each week.

We will also provide you with an interactive platform to stay in touch with others taking part. This will allow you and your family to share stories, track your activity, challenge yourself, support and motivate others.

And it’s all for free!

Will I need to do anything else?

Our ambition, with the help of Sport England and National Lottery funding, is to roll this scheme out nationally to your colleagues.

To achieve this we need to measure the pilot scheme and we will seek your help by asking you to complete a few surveys.

However tedious these can be, what you have to say really matters and may make a huge difference to police forces across the UK.

Where do I apply?

Only certain Police Forces have signed up for the pilot scheme and they will be advertising for volunteers through their usual channels.

You will be asked to complete a baseline survey which will be submitted to external evaluators.

We only have 50 places for staff per event so those most in need will be given the opportunity.