Reflections from the Healthy Places APPG: Driving Health Through Sport and Physical Activity

Alex Bunce reflects on the Healthy Places All-Party Parliamentary Group in November.

On November 19, I had the privilege of attending the Healthy Places All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), chaired by Beccy Cooper MP (Worthing West). The discussion focused on how we can increase access to sport and leisure activities across the population, tackle barriers to participation, and reduce inequalities in health outcomes, particularly in areas where engagement in physical activity is lower.

The meeting brought together a wide range of voices from across the sector.

Huw Edwards, CEO of UKActive, highlighted the vital role the leisure and physical activity sector plays in supporting the nation’s health and wellbeing. He shared concerns around the Budget and its potential impact on the leisure industry, emphasising the sector’s contribution to both social and economic outcomes.

Jeanette Bain-Burnett, Executive Director at Sport England, discussed the social value of sport and its role in place-based work, demonstrating how local initiatives can deliver tangible community benefits.

Stuart Normansell, Regional Manager for Man v Fat shared the story of the programme that uses football and rugby to tackle weight loss and improve mental health. By reclaiming the word “fat” and incorporating humour, the initiative has built a sense of brotherhood and belonging, creating an inclusive environment for participants.

Paul Williams, Director of Men’s Health Implementation for Movember, explained how the movement has grown globally from Melbourne and turned moustaches into a “walking, talking billboard” for men’s health. He emphasised the sense of purpose and community this brings and noted the significance of the Men’s Health Strategy, launched on the same day as the APPG.

MPs from across parties engaged with the panel, asked questions, and listened to submissions from observers. Alongside this, I had the opportunity to share Active Sussex’s work with the NHS in delivering systemic change across Sussex, highlighting two major barriers to participation: long-term health conditions and ageing.

A key part of our work in Sussex focuses on preventing deconditioning in hospital patients. Our Stronger for Life in Hospital project, launched in Bexhill, helps patients maintain strength and mobility during hospital stays, addressing the rapid loss of muscle power and functional ability that can occur after just 24 hours of inactivity.

The programme is part of a broader “one workforce” approach, bringing together NHS staff, voluntary partners, and community organisations. Health instructors lead sessions with patients, supported by hospital staff who are empowered to deliver activities themselves. This approach maximises clinical capacity while keeping patients active.

The project has now expanded, with streaming sessions now available in multiple hospitals across Bexhill, Crawley, Eastbourne, Brighton, and Rye. In the future, it is hoped this will expand to include Hastings, Worthing, Chichester, and Shoreham hospitals, as well as extend to care and nursing homes. Crucially, patients are referred into community exercise classes after leaving hospital, supporting a seamless transition to long-term activity.

I also spoke about how, beyond hospitals, Active Sussex staff are working directly with East Sussex Health and Social Care to embed physical activity into everyday practice. By training and supporting staff, we aim to create an Integrated and Collaborative Workforce where movement and activity are valued as core parts of care, helping to reduce sedentary behaviour and improve patient outcomes.

This work aligns with the Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England, supporting a prevention-focused, digitally enabled, and community-centric health model.

The APPG also highlighted ongoing conversations around men’s health, including the role of weight management, exercise, and muscle maintenance. As programmes like Movember continue to grow, it is vital to ensure strategies are effectively implemented to support men’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Attending the Healthy Places APPG was a valuable opportunity to showcase the work being done in Sussex, learn from national initiatives, and explore how systemic collaboration can drive better health outcomes. 

The discussions reinforced the importance of creating accessible, inclusive opportunities for sport and physical activity, addressing inequalities, and embedding physical activity into health and social care for long-lasting impact.