Leap Sports (Leadership, Equality and Active Participation) | LGBT Sport NGO, Scotland

Trans active Glasgow

THEMES
– Participation in sport
– Representation in coaching
– Fighting discrimination
– Reducing barriers that trans and non-binary people face in sport
– Tackling mental health issues and isolation
– Building life skills, confidence, teamwork, communication

TARGETED OBJECTIVES
– Supporting trans and non-binary people to access sport in a supportive environment and promote an accessible pathway for group members to access mainstream sport and exercise groups.
– Promoting trans inclusion in local sports providers – providing training and guidance so that facilities are able to host the trans active group with confidence.
– Building connections within trans communities to celebrate achievement of trans and non-binary people within sport and reduce the impact of transphobia in sport.
– Developing pathways for trans and non-binary people to gain coaching qualifications and experience.

MAIN INITIATIVE
Trans active began in January 2020. It is a multi-sport group facilitating free, accessible activities for trans and non-binary people. There is no assumption of participants sporting or fitness knowledge or level and accessibility is prioritised. The group aims to create a positive and safe environment where the participants can enjoy themselves, make connections, improve their health and wellbeing, and engage in a sporting activity.

The group activities are decided by the group membership and organisation is supported by the group facilitator. Group members are encouraged to take leadership roles. Activities encompass traditional and non-traditional sports, e.g: boxing, bowling, kayaking, walking, pole fitness, and picnics. The group also runs training to upskill members and attends community activities such as local pride events.

BENEFICIARIES
Trans and non-binary people aged 18+ who live in Greater Glasgow.

IMPACT OF THE INITIATIVE
93 trans and non-binary people have taken part in 56 events since the beginning of the project. All participants have reported an increase in positive mood and confidence and fitness, a reduction in isolation and increased sense of belonging within the sport This initiative is also accessible for people with additional barriers i.e.; trans and non-binary people of colour, disabled trans and non-binary people, those who experience poor mental health, and those who experience poverty or underemployment.

Local sports providers have become more trans and non-binary inclusive, i.e.: gender neutral changing rooms, policy and admin changes, and cultural shifts. The degree of satisfaction of the participants in the activities is permanently evaluated by formal/informal surveys because the feedback is key to the development and to improve the practice. Trans and non-binary led events and activities “for us, by us”.

SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSFERABILITY
The accessibility and community focussed practice is easily tailorable towards other groups with different needs, or to a different model. Group members can be supported to organise events themselves and many of the events are free so the practice can be altered to be done with low funding.

The involvement of a staff member to facilitate and organise the group is required which makes the group dependent on funding or volunteers. The aim is for these groups to be self-organised in the future.

Develop links with mainstream sporting providers, for example local government providers, to embed the practice into wider services.

WEBSITE OR RELATED RESOURCES

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