Faith focus for GOGA in Active Black Country
Active Black Country (ABC) will continue helping community groups and faith centres get more people active thanks to extended support from Get Out Get Active (GOGA).
The renewed partnership follows the significant impact of their work alongside Activity Alliance. The announcement coincides with Inter Faith Week (9-16 November), the annual initiative dedicated to strengthening interfaith relations, fostering mutual understanding, and showcasing the invaluable contributions of faith communities.
The GOGA programme in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton was developed through exploring different roles within faith organisations to help engage the local community. The results were outstanding, and more than doubled the 300-participant target.
Over the next year, ABC will try to explore how faith centres can play a greater role in promoting physical activity and encouraging an active lifestyle.
Trusted spaces within communities
Helen Derby, Strategic Lead of Programmes at Activity Alliance, said:
"Through Get Out Get Active we saw that faith centres play a vital role in supporting people to be active, especially those who face some of the greatest barriers.
"Faith centres are often the trusted space within communities and hold inclusive values, which makes them ideal settings for physical activity. By working with local faith leaders through Get Out Get Active, we have co-produced many opportunities that are welcoming, sustainable, and helps more people be active together."
Get Out Get Active (GOGA) is a programme that supports disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy being active together. The programme began in 2016 and engages the least active communities in fun, inclusive ways. Active Black Country has been involved in GOGA since 2020 and has continually demonstrated the power of local partnerships and community-led delivery.
Helen added:
"Through GOGA, we've seen how inclusive activities like yoga in faith centres can bring disabled and non-disabled people together, improving wellbeing and strengthening community connections. Extending our work here has allowed us to build on this success and reach even more people, including those who are least likely to be active."
Jodi Adams, Strategic Lead for Active Communities at Active Black Country, said:
"Building on the learning from previous delivery, 2025 brings a new focus to the delivery of GOGA across the Black Country.
"We recognise the need to support community organisations and faith centres with building capacity to create more inclusive, resilient communities and ensure activity is sustainable. Our renewed partnership with the Activity Alliance provides a great opportunity to grow and strengthen the role of faith centres in community wellbeing."
The additional investment will support the programme look at how faith centres can continue to play a leading role in promoting physical activity and encouraging an active lifestyle.
A total of 684 people took part in a range of 35 activities in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton in the first few months of 2025. This is more than double the 300-participant target of the programme, partly due the large number of organisations ABC engaged with and partners’ effective delivery.
