These frequently asked questions (FAQs) are designed to support applicants to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games sports equipment gifting legacy and adds to the main guidance available here.
The FAQs will be updated as new queries are received - last updated on Monday 15 August 2022.
Where no relevant guidance currently exists, we'd welcome feedback so please email on [email protected].
We welcome applications from groups who deliver community-based projects which seek to tackle inactivity and promote the physical and mental benefits of leading an active life.
Read more about What types of organisations can apply to access the sports equipment?Organsations who are eligible to apply include not for profit community-based organisations, such as:
voluntary, community and faith groups
schools and educational establishments (for non-curricular activity)
sports clubs
Community Interest Companies (CIC)
social enterprises.
Applications from individuals
Commercial organisations
Applications from local authorities.
Schools and other educational establishments are eligible to apply.
Read more about We're a school/educational establishment – can we apply to access the sports equipment?The activity being applied to support must be solely for use during extra-curricular time.
If you are unclear, please email [email protected].
Read less about We're a school/educational establishment – can we apply to access the sports equipment?Applications need to be submitted by 19 September at 5pm.
We'll take into account the following priorities in our decision making:
Read more about What groups/organisations and projects are we prioritising?Community organisations where there's the most need to support activity in the community.
Where groups/organisations may not have the opportunity or ability to seek support elsewhere.
Groups/organisations that support people who've previously felt excluded or prevented from getting active.
We'll try to distribute the equipment fairly across the West Midlands region and across a range of diverse groups with different audiences.
Generally, the equipment available is focused on sport.
Read more about Can the sports equipment be used for anything other than sport? I.e. gardening, conservation projects?However, there are some non-sporting goods that are available and, if the activity delivered is part of a wider project that involves other forms of physical activity such as walking, cycling, outdoor gym exercise, we may consider this.
We won’t be using this equipment to support projects that focus solely on gardening and conservation projects.
Read less about Can the sports equipment be used for anything other than sport? I.e. gardening, conservation projects?Given the volume of equipment to distribute, we expect community groups applying to have plans in place to collect the equipment.
Read more about If we don’t have the means to collect sports equipment, can we still apply?Please contact [email protected] if you're unable to collect.
Read less about If we don’t have the means to collect sports equipment, can we still apply?We welcome applications from all faith groups, particularly given the role we know many can play in connecting with inactive and underrepresented communities who deliver community-based projects seeking to tackle inactivity and promote the physical and mental benefits of leading an active life.
All of the sports equipment was government funded.
Yes. However, during the assessment process we will consider previous Sport England and Active Partnership funding that your organisation has been awarded over the last two years to ensure there's no duplication.
Read more about Can we apply if we have an existing award with Sport England?This will inform our decisions.
It's recommended that, in your application, you provide as much information on how your organisation and its participants will benefit from this new equipment - including how it differs from any previous award.
Read less about Can we apply if we have an existing award with Sport England?There's a catalogue of available items that can be viewed here.
The catalogue contains items that have been grouped together to form a 'lot'.
Read more about How many items can we apply for?You are able to apply for up to three lots from the catalogue.
Please ensure you provide justification within your application for all lots applied for.
We can't guarantee you'll be successful with all lots applied for as we'd like to maximise the opportunity across the region.
Read less about How many items can we apply for?Requests for equipment must be received in one application per organisation. Your application can include up to three 'lots' of interest.
We can accept applications of projects that won’t be delivered immediately but we'd require more detail to understand, such as:
Read more about Can we apply for a project that isn’t starting immediately?When will the project launch?
How will the equipment be stored?
Why the activity can't begin now?
Note that we have a limited time to distribute the equipment so we can't store it for you.
Read less about Can we apply for a project that isn’t starting immediately?Yes, you'll need to provide the reasoning for the need for the equipment and the additional benefits having it will provide to the existing activity and current participants.
Applications must be submitted by one organisation, who'll be the organisation responsible for the gifted item(s) including the terms and conditions within the agreement.
Read more about Can we join our application with another partner to share items across multiple locations/applicants?We'd be supportive of organisations working together and the equipment being able to benefit more than one organisation and more participants.
Please let us know of the details within the ‘Please describe how receiving this equipment would make a difference to your participants and organisation’ box in the written application form or on your video/audio submission.
Read less about Can we join our application with another partner to share items across multiple locations/applicants?Yes. We're promoting this fund to organisations across the West Midlands with a cover note in 15 different languages.
Read more about Do applications need to be submitted in English?We do ask that the submission is in English and, where needed, applicants seek support from other members of the organisation or other contacts in order to translate their application.
If you require further support, please email [email protected] or contact your local Active Partnership.
The equipment is being transferred to Sport England from the government and the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee.
Read more about Who'll be deciding how the sports equipment is gifted and what criteria will they be using?We're working closely with a working group consisting of members from a number of voices including – Birmingham 2022 organising committee, Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Active Partnerships, Nishkam Civic Association and WMCA Faith Strategic Partnership Group.
The criteria to apply is set out in the application form.
Read less about Who'll be deciding how the sports equipment is gifted and what criteria will they be using?No. All of the equipment is being gifted, so there's no charge for the equipment.
Read more about Is there any cost to being gifted the equipment?We'll endeavour to ensure any equipment gifted is in good order, but you'll be responsible for any future maintenance or replacement costs.
Please note that you'll be responsible for any cost incurred when you collect the assets you're gifted (in exceptional circumstances, if this presents a problem, please advise in your application).
Read less about Is there any cost to being gifted the equipment?We'll advise you of the process for collection if your application is successful.
Read more about How do we collect the sports equipment and where from?The equipment is currently stored in Tyseley, Birmingham, which is where you will need to collect from.
Read less about How do we collect the sports equipment and where from?We aim to communicate decisions at the beginning of October and the equipment will need to be collected within 2-3 weeks of notification.
Successful organisations will also be asked for the following reporting in order to safeguard the investment into communities:
Read more about Do we need to report/evaluate how we have used the sports equipment if we're successful in our request?No. The gifted items must remain the property of the organisation they've been gifted to or passed on to another community organisation if the items are no longer of use to the original beneficiaries.
No items should be sold. If there are any item(s) within the package which you no longer need then please gift them on to another community organisation.
We would ask that you find a suitable alternative community organisation and notify us of your intentions.
This ensures that a contract can be in place between Sport England and the successful organisation.
Read more about Why do we need to have a governing document?This ensures the public funded equipment is gifted and used appropriately.
A well-written governing document will tell you many of the things you need to know about your organisations and will contain the answers to many frequently asked questions, such as:
what it exists to do (its purposes, as explained in its objects clause)
the kinds of activities it can undertake to further those purposes, what powers it has and any limits on them
who the trustees are, how many trustees there should be and how they're appointed and removed?
how to call meetings and what notice periods to give to call an annual or special general meeting (AGM or SGM)
how to change the governing document, and which rules can be changed
whether the organisation has members and, if so, who can be a member and what their rights and responsibilities are
how to close the charity down.
No. We can’t accept applications from an organisation without this minimum level of governance.
Read more about We're a group that's yet to form a constitution or legal structure, can we still apply?Support is available from your local Active Partnership should you need to develop appropriate governance to support an application.
Birmingham - [email protected]
Shropshire Telford and Wrekin - [email protected]
Black Country - [email protected]
Herefordshire and Worcestershire - [email protected]
Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire - [email protected]
Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire - [email protected]
You may also wish to partner with another organisation or group that meets the criteria.
For support on how to write a constitution please visit the Club Matters page here.
Read less about We're a group that's yet to form a constitution or legal structure, can we still apply?If you are applying for equipment that's considered high risk within the catalogue, you'll have to be affiliated to a national governing body.
Read more about We're not affiliated to a national governing body (a member/affiliated to a sport organisation), can we still apply?For organisations delivering martial arts activity, it's expected they'll be signed up to the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts, or proactively working towards code recognition and be able to evidence this.
Read less about We're not affiliated to a national governing body (a member/affiliated to a sport organisation), can we still apply?The safety of participants is key in all Sport England investments and we expect any organisation who wishes to apply for the equipment to have relevant safeguarding policies in place should they be working with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults.
Read more about Why do we need to have a safeguarding policy?For non-affiliated organisations delivering martial arts activity, it's expected they'll be signed up to the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts or proactively working towards code recognition.
Please visit Club Matters for further information about setting up a safeguarding policy.
Read less about Why do we need to have a safeguarding policy?This is to make sure the services provided to people are fair and accessible to everyone.
Read more about Why do we need to have an equality, diversity, and inclusion policy statement?Please visit Club Matters for further information about setting up an equality, diversity and inclusion policy.
Read less about Why do we need to have an equality, diversity, and inclusion policy statement?For guidance on how to apply please contact the following Active Partnerships in the West Midlands:
Read more about Where can I go to get more help/advice?Birmingham - [email protected]
Shropshire Telford and Wrekin - [email protected]
Black Country - [email protected]
Herefordshire and Worcestershire - [email protected]
Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire - [email protected]
Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire - [email protected]
To provide feedback and for any other queries, please contact [email protected].
Read less about Where can I go to get more help/advice?