Network survey confirms voices of lived experience at heart of Alliance of Sport’s effectiveness
The Alliance of Sport’s annual survey for 2025 has revealed how a strong voice of lived and learned experience is helping to inform and drive the network forward.
AoS is a charity comprising more than 1000 multi-agency professionals across England and Wales dedicated to creating safer communities and healthier lives through sport and physical activity. It is now also working across Southeast Asia.
AoS network members represent organisations focused on a wide range of projects and programmes, from Primary Prevention (aimed at preventing crime in communities, by addressing the root causes and altering the conditions that make crime possible) to Secondary Prevention (early identification and intervention with individuals who are at risk of becoming offenders) and Tertiary Prevention (reducing reoffending by individuals within the Criminal Justice System, and reintegrating prison leavers into society – known as ‘Through the Gate’ services). These are supported by colleagues from a range of academic, public sector and sporting institutions which help to underpin the movement and increase its efficacy.
REPRESENTATION
James Mapstone, AoS Chief Executive, commented: “We are very proud of how our network members work collaboratively to share what works, improve how things are done, and create better outcomes for vulnerable individuals and communities facing complex challenges. Because of this, strong representation from voices of lived and learned experience are essential to help grow and increase our collective impact.”
The 2025 survey of Alliance of Sport members found:
- 25% of respondents identified themselves as having lived experience of the Criminal Justice System, so having experienced parts of the system or having journeyed through it as witnesses, victims and/or having criminal convictions.
- 57% had learned experience, for example staff and practitioners who work in, around or through the system.
- 25% had quantified experience, including academic or leadership perspectives that access and use data from the system.
These perspectives can of course overlap, with numerous respondents reporting they had experience in more than one area.
The network survey also revealed a strong appetite for greater engagement across a variety of formats. The overwhelming popularity of the ‘monthly newsletter’ highlighted the importance of consistent and accessible information sharing. This was further reinforced by the high demand for both national and regional webinars, suggesting a keen interest in learning and knowledge exchange.
In-person events, both regionally and nationally, remain a crucial component of engagement, demonstrating the value AoS members place on face-to-face networking and collaboration. Online communities like LinkedIn also show good engagement, indicating there is potential to further develop these platforms to reach a greater interaction. Follow AoS on LinkedIn and Instagram.
ADVOCACY
AoS has recently boosted its core team with a view to driving brand awareness by amplifying effective practice, building the evidence base and increasing policy advocacy, especially as the charity scales up its work alongside international partners.
The survey also confirmed that collaboration – whether through delivering projects such as Levelling the Playing Field and Get Well, Stay Well or working collectively to influence policy via the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Sport and Physical Activity in the Criminal Justice System or HMPPS Effective Practice Sports Panel – remains at the heart of the network’s effectiveness and popularity.