The Active Together Conference took place on Thursday 7th April 2022 at the Leicester Tigers and saw the launch of the new 10 Year Physical Activity Framework - working across Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland to reduce inequalities in Physical Activity.

The Conference gathered together over 100 key partners, from health, planning, education and sport, alongside the Active Together Board Members, Advisors and Core Team.

Mike Sandys, Vice Chair of Active Together and Director of Public Health for Leicestershire County Council spoke about the need to join up across the partnership at system, place and neighbourhood level and to collectively consider the role partners have in tackling inactivity and reducing inequality.

Bev Smith, Chair of Active Together launched the new Active Together Partnership Physical Activity Framework for 2022-2031. The framework has been developed through consultation with a range of partners and has taken inspiration from national and local health and wellbeing strategies. The Framework:

• Sets our collective message about the importance of physical activity.
• Explores how we will work collaboratively to use physical activity as a tool to improve wider societal outcomes.
• Has a clear ambition to reach those who find it most difficult to be physically active.
• Is explicit about reducing inequality of access to physical activity and tackling physical inactivity.
• Indicates that we need to target our resources where they are most needed.
• Acts as a call to action for our partners.

Through our collaborative working, Active Together will strive to meet the vision of: Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland; A place where physical activity is part of daily life leading to people living healthier and happier lives.

The challenge to the partners in the room, was how can their organisation support the delivery of the strategic priorities. How to encourage our sector to look outward to develop new relationships, become system leaders and advocate the power of physical activity to our wider system partners.

Throughout the Conference, partners were given the opportunity to explore some of the key priorities outlined within the Framework. They also attended a range of workshops including tackling racial equality and climate change in sport and physical activity and developing an inclusive workforce.

Delegates at the Conference also heard from the Active Together Champions - the faces of the Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland physical activity campaign 'Let's Get Moving'. From local communities, the Champions will help to share the message far and wide that physical activity and moving more is good for you!

For more information and to read the Framework, please click on the link provided.

(Photo: Active Together Champions)