Created by TeamPolice, with input and programme evaluation from Cardiff Metropolitan University, 1TeamActive is a sport and activity programme designed to improve the health, lifestyle, and wellbeing of our Policing family. 1TeamActive is run in partnership with Sport England via £348k of funding from the National Lottery. It is the first initiative of its kind supporting the Police and their families and you can be a part of it.

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 do less than 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, and/or those who feel that their mental health has suffered due to the demands of policing. So, if you would like a physical and mental boost to your health and wellbeing, 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?

Only certain Police Forces (Wiltshire, West Midlands, Humberside and Northumbria) have signed up for the pilot scheme and they will be advertising for applicants through their usual channels. You can apply as an individual (or include your family as well) by completing a confidential online application survey which will be solely assessed and held by our Cardiff Metropolitan University evaluators. If you are successful, your journey will begin with an event day which aims to be fun, interactive, interesting, friendly and an opportunity to try different activities. You only need to listen to the testimonial to see how enjoyable and informative the day was for those attending. On the day you will be given a 1Team Active T-shirt so you become and feel part of the team.

Following the event day, you and your family, alongside others will engage in an 11-week activity programme close to where you live for 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.

National Lottery players raise £30m every week for good causes, funding arts, heritage, sports, voluntary and charity projects around the UK.

Sport England is a public body and invests up to £300 million National Lottery and government money each year in projects and programmes that help people get active and play sport. It wants everyone in England, regardless of age, background, or level of ability, to feel able to engage in sport and physical activity. That’s why a lot of its work is specifically focused on helping people who do no, or very little, physical activity and groups who are typically less active – like women, disabled people and people on lower incomes.

Cardiff Metropolitan University is a practice-focused and professionally orientated University. We are committed to education, research and innovation undertaken in partnership with our students, business and industry for the benefit if individuals, society and the economy.

Our Global Academy of Health and Human Performance brings together our expertise in wellbeing, public health, sport, and physical activity to take a holistic view of human performance.