“Words Talk – Numbers Count” is the Welsh Government's Strategy to improve basic Literacy and Numeracy in Wales.  This provides the context and ultimate rationale for the Welsh Government's investment in basic skills learning.

The strategy takes forward the education and lifelong learning agenda set out in The Learning Country and focuses on the fundamental aims to reduce the number of primary school aged children, and young people leaving compulsory education, who are struggling with basic numeracy and literacy skills and to significantly reduce the number of adults with the same poor basic skills.

The strategy directs attention towards those whose needs are the greatest e.g. people living in Communities First areas; Young Offenders; Speakers of Other Languages; people with special learning needs.  

Under the theme “Providing a Better Range of Attractive Learning”, the Strategy encourages the development of new approaches to overcome the issues and barriers to learning.  

Just Solutions was commissioned to research and examine the potential to raise awareness and develop new and innovative solutions to provide more, ‘alternative', yet accessible basic skill learning opportunities through the medium of sport and physical activity.

The purpose of the scoping study in relation to basic skills learning through sport and physical activity was:

• To carry out a review of existing activities, needs, views and policies.

• To inform the future investment policy of the Welsh Government.  

• If there is evidence of need, to help inform the principles and criteria for an appropriate grants scheme to run from 2008 -2010.

As a result of this scoping study, Just Solutions and Butlin Consulting were commissioned to develop an implementation strategy and identify and facilitate the development of Basic Skills Learning through Sport pilot projects in Cardiff, Neath Port Talbot, Rhyl and Wrexham.