Active county to be key 2012 Games legacy for Suffolk

Community leaders in Suffolk have today pledged to work together to make the county the most active in England.

In a long term campaign that will seek to bring to Suffolk more key sporting events and external funding, they have made a commitment that will create for Suffolk a lasting sporting and physical activity legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The Most Active County initiative aims to:

• Help at least 16,700 people to be more active and lead more healthy lifestyles – raising Suffolk to the position of the most active county in England
• Reduce health inequality, preventable illness and improve life chances 
• Boost Suffolk’s economy by bringing in more income from major sporting events and reducing the costs of lost productivity through sickness absence.

There is a clear need for action. Despite improvements since 2005, more recent figures show that Suffolk has seen a decline in participation levels. Now, almost half of adults in the county are physically inactive and just one in five people take part in recommended levels of sport and activity. The picture is mirrored by young people in Suffolk with one in every six 11 year old children being obese. The health costs of physical inactivity in Suffolk are estimated to be at least £12.2 million per year – much of which can be avoided. 

Key partners include Suffolk County Council, district and borough councils, NHS Suffolk, Healthy Ambitions Suffolk, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, ITFC Charitable Trust, Suffolk Sport and the government’s community sport body Sport England. 

Following discussions between the key partners, more specific details on the activity and targets that will make up the initiative will be developed and announced.

The partners will work together to build on the extensive sporting activities already taking place in Suffolk this year to promote healthy and active lifestyles and tackle barriers to participation. The initiative will also provide a solid framework for the partners to cooperate in designing, promoting and commissioning sport and physical activity opportunities across Suffolk.

Councillor Kathy Gosling, Suffolk County Council’s portfolio holder for sport, culture, diversity, health and wellbeing, said:

“We all know it’s difficult to find the time in our busy family and working lives to be as physically active as we really should. But too often, a lack of opportunities or knowledge about what’s out there stops people leading the type of active lifestyle they aspire to.

“That’s why it’s so important that organisations involved in physical activity work together to remove as many of the barriers to participation as possible and make taking part easier.

“Suffolk is blessed with beautiful countryside and natural features that, if promoted well, can make getting out there and being active a pleasure rather than a chore. We must all come together to help people be more active and make the most of the opportunities that are out there.”

Professor Bill Tancred MBE, chair of Suffolk Sport, said:

"I think the Most Active County is a fantastic initiative, which Suffolk Sport is very proud to be part of. I fully support its aims and aspirations and we are looking forward to working with a wide range of similar minded organisations to ensure Suffolk has a healthy, active future."

Major sporting events have had a positive impact on Suffolk’s economy. The Great East Swim and the Tour of Britain have delivered a £2.8 million financial boost to the county. In addition, over £252,000 has been raised for charitable good causes by Great East swimmers.

Dr Peter Funnell, executive chair, Healthy Ambitions Suffolk and president of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said:

"I welcome the Most Active County initiative. Small changes in physical activity can have enormous impact on personal health and the wellbeing of our local communities. In the workplace planned and supported physical activity can encourage job satisfaction whilst promoting efficiency and productivity. Healthy Ambitions Suffolk and the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce are excited by the opportunity to work with partners to support Suffolk to become more active, healthier and more productive."