Active Sussex begins major shift towards place‑based working

Active Sussex is making a significant change in how it works, with a new focus on supporting communities through place‑based working.

This follows the organisation’s successful bid to become one of 30 Active Partnerships awarded the Place Universal Offer (PUO) – part of Sport England’s £25 million national investment to tackle inactivity and reduce inequalities.

The funding gives Active Sussex the chance to build on what’s already working, speed up progress, and share learning across the county. 

The aim is to make physical activity a practical solution to wider challenges in Sussex, including health, inclusion, and community resilience.

The investment will be targeted at the areas and people in Sussex most affected by inactivity and health inequality.

Anthony Statham, Chief Executive at Active Sussex, said: “We are incredibly excited by what the Place Universal Offer enables us to do here in Sussex.

 “This investment strengthens our commitment to place-based working, allowing us to deepen our understanding of each community and work with partners to create the conditions for long-term change.

 “It supports a clear and ambitious strategic direction, one rooted in collaboration, learning, and system leadership.

 “By taking this place-based approach, we can help ensure that physical activity becomes a realistic and accessible part of daily life for everyone across Sussex.”

A new way of working

This marks a deliberate shift in how Active Sussex operates, moving away from short‑term projects and towards long‑term change shaped by local insight.

The approach focuses on recognising and strengthening what already exists in communities – trusted leaders, local organisations, strong networks, and welcoming spaces. 

It also places real value on listening to people with lived experience of inactivity and inequality, ensuring their voices guide decisions and investment.

Active Sussex will take a “test and learn” approach in the areas where need is greatest, trying new ways of working in real settings and sharing what works across Sussex.

Christine Gibbons, Chair of the Board at Active Sussex, said: “This new Place Offer is a valuable opportunity to strengthen partnerships, bring resources together, and tackle the barriers that prevent too many people in our communities from being active.

“It’s a significant moment for Active Sussex, its partners, and the communities we serve. We are committed to ensuring this investment leads to meaningful, long-lasting change where it is needed most.”

Strengthening our strategic approach

The investment will allow Active Sussex to bring in additional capacity to support partners, deepen insight, and embed place‑based working across the county. 

This will help create the conditions for lasting change through stronger relationships, clearer collaboration, and shared priorities.

Lisa Dodd‑Mayne, Executive Director, Partnerships and Place at Sport England, said: “We want everyone, no matter where they live or who they are, to have the chance to be active and healthy.

 “We are proud to be working with 30 more Active Partnerships and their local communities, in every corner of the country, to break down the barriers to physical activity so that everyone has equal access to a more active life.”

What happens next

Over the coming months, Active Sussex will build relationships in priority places, gather deeper insight from communities and partners, and co‑design and test new approaches where they are needed most. 

Learning from this work will be shared across Sussex to strengthen the wider physical activity system.

More details about the work, the learning, and opportunities to get involved will be shared through Active Sussex’s usual channels in the months ahead.

You can read more about Sport England’s place-based way of working here.