Golf in Society’s mission is to improve the lives of our ageing population by introducing them to the health and wellbeing benefits of golf. They do this by creating opportunities for people to discover how their local golf club can become an integral part of a happier, healthier life. The social enterprise supports individuals and families living with dementia, Parkinson’s, strokes, loneliness and depression to discover how golf can play an important part in their life.

Golf in Society became a participant of the AWRC Wellbeing Accelerator in the first cohort back in April 2019, and despite inevitable setbacks caused by the pandemic, the company has flourished thanks to founder, Anthony Blackburn’s, passion and dedication to their cause.

                                                                                                                                                                                        

Anthony believes the AWRC Wellbeing Accelerator has been a catalyst for Golf in Society’s growth, describing the programme as ‘top class’ and ‘inspirational’. In a recent interview, Anthony told Kim Holland (Relationship Manager for the AWRC Wellbeing Accelerator) about how his company has benefited from being on the programme. He opens by saying ‘a simple hello can lead to a million things’, as it’s the connections he’s made within the accelerator that have made a great impact on his social mission. Namely, the connection made via a fellow founder on the programme to an NHS Trust Active Hospital pilot. Anthony told Kim how it came about:

‘Jen at JT Rehab reached out to someone she studied with, who was working in a healthy communities programme at an NHS trust in the North East. We are now partnering with them to design and pilot a golf pathway for inpatients and outpatients to increase the access and opportunities to enjoy activity when they return to their community.’

Secondly, Golf in Society has benefited from a full brand overhaul whilst on the accelerator. Anthony explained how a mentor introduction helped him to revamp his company logo, brand and communication strategy.

‘Following an introduction to a marketing mentor on the programme, he offered to redesign our logo, pro bono. We were so grateful for the support and we are now in a position to commission this expert marketer to create our new brand and communication strategy. Our new website will launch in Spring 2021!’

Finally, Anthony told Kim about how the research project being conducted by the AWRC Wellbeing Accelerator will validate the social impact of Golf in Society’s work. This is one of the unique features of the accelerator – the bespoke research projects which have been created for each participant. Anthony knows how valuable this piece of research is, and he is excited to see how it may support future investment.

‘This research will provide us with compelling evidence with the health and wellbeing impact of our golf sessions. This evidence is the missing link in our impact reporting and the validation will significantly increase future investments and stakeholder engagement. Lee, Kerry and Alice have been a pleasure to work with and have provided us with a research tool we can continue to use to measure our future impact.’

                               

Keep tuned into the news section on the AWRC Wellbeing Accelerator web pages to follow the journey of Golf in Society and our other amazing participants.

For more information you can visit Golf in Society’s website or please get in touch:

@SHU_AWRC | k.holland@shu.ac.uk