This case study highlights how one club is creating a more inclusive community hub through a place-based approach
Through the Active Tameside Sport & Physical Activity Network, Stalybridge & Dukinfield Recreational Bowling Club has been supported to develop into a more inclusive, welcoming and sustainable community venue by adopting a place-based approach. By working collaboratively with the club, local partners and the wider community, support has focused on increasing participation, improving accessibility and creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to be active.
The club undertook extensive community engagement with local residents, providing multiple opportunities for people to share their views. Feedback received was carefully considered and helped shape the project’s development.
Supporting women and girls into sport
A £1,000 community grant enabled the club to launch a 10-week women’s social bowling programme, attracting over 30 women and girls who were new to the sport. The success of the programme has resulted in the formation of a new women’s bowling team, creating a lasting weekly participation opportunity. The friendships developed through the programme have also led to the establishment of a women’s social darts team, ensuring participants remain connected and active throughout the winter months.
Investing in inclusive facilities
Working alongside the club, support was provided to secure £50,000 of external funding through the Suez Communities Trust fund to remodel the clubhouse, making it significantly more accessible for disabled people and creating a more inclusive environment for the wider community. The improved facilities have strengthened the club’s ability to welcome new members and host a broader range of community activities.
Creating opportunities for everyone
The partnership has also supported the development of a SEND bowling session in collaboration with Active Tameside’s Everybody Can service, providing inclusive opportunities for children and young people with additional needs to enjoy physical activity in a safe and supportive environment.
To ensure the club’s long-term sustainability, support has been provided to recruit and train new coaches and volunteers, helping to build local capacity and ensuring the club can continue to grow and meet increasing demand.
Strengthening community connections
Working with the Tameside School Sports Partnership, the club hosted a Primary Schools Bowling Competition, bringing together children and their grandparents through intergenerational participation. The event showcased bowling as an accessible activity that can be enjoyed across generations while strengthening community relationships.
In addition, support has been provided to market the club’s newly improved facilities, increasing awareness across the local community and generating a range of new community bookings, helping to maximise use of the venue and improve its long-term sustainability.
Impact from this place-based approach
Through collaborative partnership working and a place-based approach, Stalybridge & Dukinfield Recreational Bowling Club has become more inclusive, accessible and community focused. The work has increased participation among women, disabled people, children and families, strengthened the volunteer workforce, improved facilities and created new opportunities for local residents to be active, connected and engaged within their community.
What the club and their new participants say about the support
“When I saw that Stalybridge & Dukinfield Rec were holding a 10-week crown green bowls course for ladies, I signed up immediately. I had always wanted to play. We received excellent tuition and everyone was so friendly. I even brought along my daughter-in-law, and she now plays for a team! I’ve made loads of friends and can honestly say it’s been simply brilliant! I look forward to social bowls every week. It’s genuinely one of the highlights of my week. Thank you.”
“I attended the 10-week bowling course offered last summer. It was a great, fun experience learning a new sport and meeting new people. This has now led to me playing on a team this year. After attending the course and becoming a member of the bowling club, a group of us also formed a new ladies darts team. The bowling club is a fantastic social hub for the local community.”
“A big thank you to everyone at Stalybridge & Dukinfield Bowling Club for the free crown green bowling training – especially Andrea, Pam, Jacquie, Andy and all the amazing volunteers who gave up their time to teach us. At first we thought bowls just rolled in a straight line…then we discovered that they had minds of their own and could turn more sharply than our knees getting out of a chair! Thanks to your patience, encouragement and humour, we not only learned to bowl but we also gained so much more. Since joining, we’ve got fitter physically, mentally and socially, made wonderful new friends, joined a bowling team, enjoyed a pint or two and even set up a darts team! What started as a free training session has genuinely given us a new lease of life. We are so grateful to the club and everyone involved for creating such a warm, welcoming community. Thank you for helping keep us fit, laughing and out of trouble…most of the time!”
“I’d always wanted to have a go at playing bowls, but didn’t know where to start, so when I heard there was coaching available it seemed like the perfect opportunity! Everyone at the club was very welcoming, friendly and happy to share their knowledge. Ultimately, I became a member of the club and am now part of the ladies’ team which I’m really enjoying!”
“I think the comments from the ladies themselves sum up the work that has gone into Thursday nights, which probably wouldn’t have happed without the kick-start of the grant. I have been listening to lots of conversations around the green lately with people talking about the ability to come to the club alone, or join alone, spending as much or as little time there as they wish, and the club being a real lifeline to avoiding social isolation.”
