Work is underway to develop a Cheshire and Merseyside Physical Activity Strategy with the aim of enabling 150,000 more people to be physically active by 2026.
Across Cheshire and Merseyside there are growing disparities in life expectancy between the richest and poorest areas and over half a million adults in the sub region are classed as inactive, undertaking less than 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.
Active Cheshire and Merseyside Sport (MSP), commissioned by the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership with support from the Collaborative, are driving forward a consultation and engagement with a wide range of individuals and organisations across the sub region to enable more individuals and communities to be active.
Working with Sport England and a Physical Activity Subgroup of stakeholders who provide guidance, expertise and linkage to a wider network of partners and anchor institutions, Active Cheshire and MSP are seeking to take a whole-system approach towards physical activity and sport across the region.
Aligning with the recent Sport England ‘Uniting the Movement’ 10-year strategy, the Cheshire and Merseyside physical activity approach will support organisations across the sub region to enable thousands more people including children and young people to be physically active through sports, exercise, movement and active travel.
Roger Elliott, Health and Social Care Activator Lead, Active Cheshire, said:
“Working with MSP and our partners, we are committed to shaping the physical activity strategy for Cheshire and Merseyside engaging with individuals and organisations across the sub region.
“Physical inactivity costs the NHS in the UK around one billion a year due to a number of serious physical and mental health conditions. We know there is a clear cost-benefit in aligning physical activity to the health system and ultimately keeping people healthier for longer.”
Danny Woodworth, Physical Activity and Sport Officer (Adults), MSP, said:
“Improving physical and mental health across local communities is our main priority. It’s crucial that we support organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside to make a positive change and enable more people to be physically active.
“The Physical Activity Strategy is key to Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership’s prevention agenda and in tackling health inequalities. The next phase of the roadmap for the strategy development is to carry out further consultation and engagement with key stakeholders. We are keen to speak to any partners and organisations who feel that their outcomes and ambitions align with this work.”
If you are interested in supporting this work, please contact Danny Woodworth via d.woodworth@merseysidesport.com or 07730 028773, or Roger Elliott via roger.elliott@activecheshire.org or 07850 775064 for an informal discussion.