Sport England's updated model highlights the social value created by community sports, estimating that over £107 billion in social value was generated in 2022/23 alone. The value is made up of £96.7 billion in annual wellbeing value for adults, children and young people taking part and volunteering in sport and physical activity – and a further £10.5 billion in wider savings to the health and social care system a year.

This relieves pressure on the NHS through the prevention of illness, reduced mental health service usage, fewer GP visits and a reduced need for informal (unpaid) care.

This figure represents both primary value - the wellbeing benefits that individuals experience from being active - and secondary value, which reflects the cost savings to public services like healthcare.

Social value calculations are particularly important for community sport and physical activity, where lots of activity is self-organised or volunteer-led and much of its value to society comes in the form of improved wellbeing and better physical and mental health.

Through in-depth analysis of Sport England's Active Lives data, plus reviewing wider evidence for the health benefits of being active (including the costs associated with the treatment and care of illness and poor health), the research reveals the profound social and economic benefits of sport and physical activity for communities across England.

Sport England undertook the research in partnership with social value advisors State of Life, Sheffield Hallam University and Manchester Metropolitan University

View the reports:

Summary: The Social Value of Sport and Physical Activity in England

The Social Value of Sport and Physical Activity in England - Primary Value

The Social Value of Sport and Physical Activity in England - Secondary Value