In 2010 we started a project to find a suitable piece of land, a sympathetic land owner and some method to achieve funding. 7 years later we have the field and £210,000 private funding towards providing essential sports and recreation facilities which have been very sadly lacking. We are a large and growing village in rural Somerset, with a mix of social, affordable and private housing numbering approximately 450 dwellings (including planned). Residents identified the need for sports and recreation facilities in the 2006 Village Plan and our Facebook page numbers around 134 local members. We have a mix of different ages and abilities in the village and a well designed green space, with sports pitches, walks, fitness trails and outdoor gym equipment and changing facilities would encourage social activity, promote health and wellbeing and allow groups of people keen to participate in sport to do so in their own community.

What we'll deliver:

• Install disability friendly changing rooms with facilities for all sexes
• Install gym equipment with fitness regime display boards
• Install a distance-marked track around the field
• Install a full-size grass football pitch to FA standards
• Install a multi-use games area
• Plant trees, shrubs and flowers and landscape the area

Why it's a great idea:

We have a fantastic opportunity to change lives and outcomes for residents in and around our community. Over one in four women (26%) and one in five men (19%) do less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week, so are classified as ‘inactive A lack of physical activity is costing the UK economy an estimated £7.4 billion Physical activity is the fourth largest cause of disease and disability in the UK Reducing inactivity could prevent up to 40% of many long-term conditions e.g. diabetes, as well as help manage over 20 common conditions Physical inactivity directly contributes to 1 in 6 deaths Physical activity declines with age to the extent that by the age of 75 years only one in ten men and one in 20 women are active enough for good health Disabled people are half as likely as non-disabled people to be active, while only one in four people with learning difficulties take part in physical activity each month compared to over half of those without a disability

Steps to get it done:

Studies have shown that being active plays a key role in brain development in early childhood and is also good for longer-term educational attainment. Increased energy levels also boost workplace productivity and reduce sickness absence. Our community borders on areas of rural deprivation