In London, a slightly higher proportion of respondents than nationally highlight the following as key skills for encouraging physical activity:
Communication and motivation
- Good communication skills (London 40%, National 36%)
- Ability to motivate and inspire (London 39%, National 37%)
Knowledge
- Knowledge of health and fitness (London 37%, National 35%)
Empathy and inclusivity
- Being approachable and non-judgemental (London 36%, National 35%)
- Cultural awareness or lived experience (London 16%, National 9%)
Overall, different groups across London and the UK value slightly different things in activity leaders. This means a “one size fits all” approach does not work well and may help explain gaps in participation.
Activity leaders would benefit from training in communication, cultural awareness, and emotional understanding. Co-designing activities with communities and developing “activity champions” could also improve engagement and feedback.
At present, leaders often reach people who are already active, which can leave less active groups behind, particularly lower-income groups, unemployed people, ethnic minority communities, and disabled people.
To improve this, organisations need better training, clearer workforce planning, and more leaders from local communities. The “unsure” group is also important, as understanding their barriers could help increase participation.