Ask yourself some key questions to identify which of the cultural and sports agencies are most relevant:

• what are the themes and outcomes within your LAA that you particularly want culture and sport to feature within?
• is it all of them or are there one or two who you feel are more important?
• does the contribution of culture and sport extend across all of the themes and cultural and sports sectors (sports, arts, film, museums, libraries, play, tourism and historic environment) or are you focusing on a particular sector’s contribution?
• which of the cultural and sports agencies do you feel are most likely to want to work with you based on past or current relationships and your future plans?
• are any of them already engaged with you or others in your authority/organisation on areas of work?
  

Get in touch with the relevant regional agency or agencies. Find out who their lead officer is for LAAs or for your local authority/organisation. Look at their website so you understand their current priorities. Have an initial telephone conversation or meeting with them to discuss:

• where you have shared priorities
• what you are trying to achieve
• how you think they might be able to help you and you them, and
• to establish their level of interest and the support they may be able to give.
  

If you are looking for advice or support in making the case for culture and sport talk through with them how they can help and what you need. For example:

• is it evidence or case studies that you need?
• can this toolkit help or do you need something different?
• is more specialist or technical advice and support required?
• where and to whom would you like their support in advocating the contribution of culture and sport?
• who else do they know who can be a cultural and sport champion?
  
  If you are looking for a financial contribution to your LAA be upfront about it. The regional agency can then work with you to identify whether that might be possible based on the match between your and their priorities. If a grant is a possibility, they can help you to identify what will be required. This might include:
• criteria to be met
• the priority outcomes to be delivered
• priority groups to be reached
• the extent of innovation and partnership funding required.
  
  Even if they cannot help directly they may be able to signpost you to other potential partners or funders.
  

In addition to the regional cultural and sports agencies look at who else can help. Who are the local cultural and sports organisations and champions? What cultural and sports partnerships and networks already exist that you may be able to engage with and gather support, advice or contributions from (for example County Sports Partnerships, local arts, play or cultural forums, learning networks, school sports or arts networks).