1.1–1.3 Barriers to user groups (unemployed / economically disadvantaged) Typeit

Most people who are unemployed face an economic (financial) disadvantage, but there are also many scenarios where people are in employment yet remain economically disadvantaged. The barriers to sports participation faced by both groups share many similarities. 

Someone's economic position is heavily associated with their available finances; therefore, the most common barrier faced by this user group is a lack of disposable . The UK has in the past provided many different types of financial support to help people with low household incomes, such as Housing Benefit, Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance, all of which are now being replaced by the Universal Credit scheme. Many not-for-profit leisure centres offer on classes and memberships for people receiving these kinds of benefit, making it more affordable for them to participate in sport and physical activity.

As mentioned, there are many scenarios where someone might be economically disadvantaged. Single parents with young children are one group who will face the added barrier of family commitments, limiting the amount of free they have to participate in sport. Certain gyms and health, fitness and leisure centres provide , such as a crèche or a nursery for children of all ages to be entertained in a safe environment, allowing the parent to engage in their choice of physical activity without having to supervise their child.

It is not only the physical participation in sport that can be costly, but getting to a relevant venue to participate can equally impose a barrier to participation. People at an may be unable to afford a car or even the lessons to learn how to drive. Additionally, the cost of public  may seem trivial at first but can accumulate to become more expensive than the membership or activity fee itself. This is partly the reason why some companies offer discounted tickets and cards for specific user groups, such as the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card. 

For those who are unemployed and actively searching for jobs, application processes such as editing a CV, writing a cover letter and attending interviews can be quite lengthy and thus limit the amount of free to participate in sport. Likewise, those who are at an economic disadvantage but are in employment will equally – if not more so – struggle with this barrier to participation. Initiatives to increase  in the workplace are an effective way of overcoming this barrier, such as scheduling a weekly yoga class. Furthermore, many companies offer to work schemes, which are a time- and cost-efficient way of increasing physical activity to and from the workplace.