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.

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.

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.