Did you know that every £1 invested in Active Luton creates over £7.40 in social value for our community? As a local charity, we’re proud to showcase the incredible impact we’ve made in Luton, from improving physical health to empowering future generations.
Active Luton is more than just sports facilities, libraries, and wellbeing programmes. As a charity, we reinvest every surplus penny into enhancing our facilities, supporting our team, and delivering impactful customer programmes. To measure the difference we make, we partnered with independent economic consultants Volterra to assess our social value. Their research used data from organisations such as the Office for National Statistics, Sport England, NHS, and Luton Borough Council.
The results are impactful: Active Luton delivered an astonishing £44m in social value in 2023/24. This means that for every £1 of funding we received, we returned over £7.40 in social benefits to the local community.
£44m in Value – Breaking It Down by Impact Area
Volterra’s report highlights six key areas where we’re making a difference:
1. Physical Health: £9.3m
Through sports participation, we reduce the risk of illness and disease, leading to fewer GP visits. Staying active improves lives, and this contribution alone is valued at £9.3m.
2. Mental Wellbeing: £6m
We know how important mental health is, especially with 25%of local patients with long-term conditions also having a recorded mental health need. With 55 Mental Health Champions, 45 Volunteers, and our Total Wellbeing programmes, we deliver a mental wellbeing benefit worth £6m.
3. Total Wellbeing Programmes: £8.9m
Programmes like Social Prescribing, Smoking Prevention, and High Intensity Use contributed £8.9m in value. Did you know we recorded 4,100 visits to our Social Prescribing programme in 2023/24?
4. Accessibility: £3.7m
By offering sub sidised memberships, inclusive sports programmes, and Holiday Activity Programmes, we’re ensuring everyone can benefit. In 2023/24, our Energise Luton programme provided 6,100 Holiday Activity places for children on free school meals. We’re hopeful for continued funding to keep this essential work going.
5. Libraries: £9.4m
Libraries are vital to education, digital inclusion, and social interaction. The Summer Reading Challenge and family groups help bridge the educational gap, with Volterra estimating our library’s net social value at£9.4m.
6. Individual Development: £6.4m
Through our team employment, opportunities for volunteering and our apprenticeships programme, plus the benefits of higher educational attainment and productivity through physical activity, this is estimated at a value of £6.4m.
Additionally, we support the community wealth-building approach identified by Luton Borough Council in their Social Value policy. This means that:
· We are continually increasing the use of local businesses in our supply chain.
· We pay the Real Living Wage.
· We offer a variety of training programmes and apprenticeships.
· We employ or offer volunteering roles for local people with learning difficulties. We also offer work experience programmes.
Thank You to Our Partners and Supporters
None of this would be possible without our funders, partners, customers, and team. A special thank you goes to Volterra for helping bring our work to life and demonstrating its true value. Together, we’re building a healthier, stronger, and more connected Luton.