Active Gloucestershire Celebrates a Landmark Year of Impact and Inclusion in 2024

Active Gloucestershire is celebrating a year of outstanding achievements in 2024 for “we can move”, Gloucestershire’s social movement for physical activity.

Last year was full of impactful projects and campaigns designed to get people moving, improve mental and physical well-being, and foster community engagement. These efforts reflect a commitment to Sport England’s Uniting the Movement strategy, which promotes inclusivity and encourages people to lead healthier, more active lives across the UK.

Some of the key highlights include:

Yoga Celebration Project: One of the standout initiatives of the year was the Yoga Celebration event, designed to promote wellness through a county-wide yoga experience. Co-designed and co-delivered with secondary school young leaders and primary school students, the event offered a variety of yoga workshops for primary-aged children and professional development sessions for school staff. The event helped build confidence and leadership skills while promoting the mental and physical benefits of yoga. Feedback from participants highlighted increased feelings of calm, happiness, and confidence, both in their yoga abilities and their self-identity.

Sport Welfare Officer Network: The development of the Sport Welfare Officer network in Gloucestershire played a crucial role in promoting safer sports practices across the region. Under the leadership of Lisa, the network supported National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and local clubs by creating Club Forums for welfare officers to exchange knowledge and best practices. This initiative has enhanced safeguarding standards across local sports clubs and contributed to a safer, more inclusive sports environment.

Blackbridge Community & Sports Hub: The Blackbridge Community & Sports Hub, located in Podsmead, Gloucester, has long been a priority project for Active Gloucestershire and so were delighted when building work commenced in February 2024. Led by Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society, the Hub is a community-owned, multi-purpose facility fostering community engagement, physical activity, and well-being. The £6.2m project will feature state-of-the-art sports and recreational spaces and host an all-new youth programme for the area, and is supported by partners including Youth Investment Fund, Gloucester City Council, Football Foundation, Gloucestershire ICB and Sport England. The eco-friendly, biodiversity-accredited facility will be operated by Freedom Leisure, and a grand opening is planned for spring 2025.

Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan: In line with Sport England’s Code for Sports Governance, Active Gloucestershire made significant strides in 2024 towards creating a more inclusive organisation through the launch of its Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan. Focused on improving workforce representation and fostering an inclusive work environment, the plan included workshops and collaborative meetings that led to the co-design of three key ambitions for 2024-25.

We Can Move Event 2024: Active Gloucestershire’s We Can Move event, which took place at Kingsholm Rugby Stadium in May 2024 brought together 179 attendees from 100 organisations, tackling physical activity inequalities across the county. Described as “the most accessible event in Gloucestershire,” the gathering provided inspiration, valuable networking opportunities, and a sense of community, leaving attendees motivated to create positive change in their own communities. Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement of this years we can move event!

Social Prescribing Adults Project: This initiative saw the recruitment of Physical Activity Navigators (PANs) to help individuals embark on their physical activity journeys with confidence. In collaboration with the NHS, local councils, and arts organisations, the project introduced new activity options for adults, particularly in nature-based and community-driven settings.

Live Longer Better Gloucestershire: This initiative, focused on supporting older adults, launched a campaign to promote active aging, including five new activities for older adults and essential training for those working with this demographic. With the collaboration of 52 community champions and healthcare partners, this project has improved the health and well-being of older adults, helping them remain independent and engaged in physical activity for longer.

Changemaker Portrait Project: Active Gloucestershire also launched the Changemaker Portrait Project in 2024, showcasing individuals and community organisations who have made a significant impact on physical activity in their lives. With over 100 nominations, the project recognised 10 individuals and one club for their inspiring efforts to encourage others to be more active, celebrating the transformative power of physical activity in the lives of Gloucestershire residents.

Beat the Street and Street Tag: These initiatives aimed to get people active by changing local areas into a game. Beat the Street successfully increased physical activity and community engagement in Cinderford by addressing local barriers and fostering connections through collaboration with schools, community groups, and partners. Street Tag focussed on Gloucester and encouraged people to use an app to collect tags and win prizes. Street Tag season two is due to begin in February.

Looking Ahead to 2025:

Building on the success of 2024, Active Gloucestershire remains committed to inspiring even more people to get active in 2025. With the ongoing rollout of innovative projects, partnerships with local organisations, and a focus on inclusivity and community engagement, Active Gloucestershire is poised to continue supporting people across the county in leading healthier, more active lives.

Tom Beasley, CEO at Active Gloucestershire said “We are incredibly proud of what we achieved in 2024.”

“Our work has been directly aligned with Sport England’s Uniting the Movement strategy, which is all about creating a more active, inclusive society. We’re excited to continue this journey in 2025 and beyond, empowering more people to move, connect, and live healthier lives.”

Emma Owen, the Chair of Active Gloucestershire’s Board of Trustees said “2024 has been a truly transformative year for Active Gloucestershire. Our projects have not only inspired more people to embrace active lifestyles but have also strengthened community ties and tackled inequalities across the county. These achievements reflect the dedication of our team, partners, and communities, and we are excited to build on this momentum in 2025 to create an even more inclusive and active Gloucestershire.”

For more information about these projects and campaigns, go to www.wecanmove.net