Meet Active Sussex’s Strategic Relationship Manager

In a weekly series, Active Sussex introduces its staff and trustees.

Ross Joannides has worked at Active Sussex for four years and is a Strategic Relationship Manager with a focus on increasing the levels of physical activity for older people and people living with long-term health conditions.

Here we learn how his previous jobs have helped him bring essential skills to Active Sussex and what the father-of-two likes to do in his spare time.

Why do you enjoy working for Active Sussex?

I enjoy being able to make a difference to communities across Sussex through the power of physical activity and sport.

It’s fantastic to be able to work for a team and with partners who are passionate and dedicated to understanding what really matters to people.

The opportunity to address local inequalities through activity and sport in a way that works for individuals and communities is what makes the organisation so important and valued across Sussex.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy watching live sports with family and friends.

In my spare time I also like to run, play beach tennis and volunteer as a coach for my daughter’s under 8’s football team.

Away from sport, I like watching live music and going to festivals with family and friends.

I also enjoy making the most of the vast options that come from living in central Brighton & Hove and the opportunity to explore wider Sussex.

What skills and knowledge do you have to help make a difference at Active Sussex?

Having previously worked with people with learning disabilities and long-term health conditions, I believe I have acquired a good understanding of how important it is to always have a person-centred approach where the individual must be at the heart of any decision making process that affects their life.

People and communities thrive when they are driving change from within and have the power to make decisions that benefit their own health and wellbeing.

I believe I have managed to fuse my experiences and passions which makes the role at Active Sussex such a perfect one for me where I feel I can support people’s lives in a positive way.