Hastings partners join forces to get more residents active

Local organisations in Hastings are working together to help more people get active and improve health and wellbeing across the town. 

Active Sussex, Hastings Borough Council, the NHS, Hastings Voluntary Action, East Sussex County Council, Sussex Police and other local partners are combining their efforts to remove barriers to activity and make sport and movement more accessible for everyone.

As part of this work, Active Sussex has secured a Development Award from Sport England to support these efforts.

Anthony Statham, CEO of Active Sussex, said: “Hastings is a great place to live, work and visit. This funding shows confidence in local people and the strong community here. 

“By working together with residents and local partners, we can help more people enjoy being active and support better health across the town.”

Christine Gibbons, Chair of Trustees at Active Sussex, added: “This is a chance to make long-term change. It’s not just about organising activities – it’s about making physical activity part of everyday life in Hastings so more people can benefit. 

“We want to remove barriers so everyone has a fair chance to be active.”

This is the first phase of investment, which will support planning, community engagement and early test-and-learn activities over the coming months. 

Following the completion of the development phase, additional investment will be applied for to help create sustained change across Hastings.

Although some parts of the town face greater health inequalities, Hastings also has many strengths, including a strong sense of identity, active communities and local organisations that care about people’s wellbeing. This investment aims to build on those strengths.

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, leader of Hastings Borough Council and lead councillor for community wellbeing, said: “We’re delighted that Hastings has been selected for investment through Sport England’s Place Expansion programme. 

“This strategic funding builds on the great work of our Active Hastings team, which has already helped thousands of local residents to improve their health and wellbeing. 

“By working together, we can continue breaking down barriers to physical activity and ensure every community across our town has the opportunity to lead active, healthy and connected lives.”

Active Hastings, part of Hastings Borough Council, coordinates the Active Hastings Partnership, which brings organisations together to help unblock barriers to participation and improve the local sport and physical activity delivery system. 

Cath Donovan, Physical Activity and Health Strategic Lead for Active Hastings, said:  “This investment is fantastic news for Hastings and reflects the strength of the partnerships already in place across our town. 

“Active Hastings works closely with a wide range of community organisations, clubs, charities, schools and health partners, and this funding will allow us to deepen those relationships and reach even more people. 

“Together, we’ll continue developing a coordinated, place-based approach that creates lasting, inclusive opportunities for residents to be active in ways that truly fit their lives.”

Helena Dollimore MP, Member of Parliament for Hastings, Rye and the villages said: “It is fantastic news that Hastings will receive this major funding boost to make sport and movement accessible for everyone.

“This investment will create more opportunities for residents to get active and will help more children and young people take part in sport, building a healthier and happier generation for the future.”

The funding will support the development of youth voice, adults living with long-term health conditions or disabilities, create more opportunities for residents aged 55 and above, including those living in care homes, and support people from ethnically diverse communities to be more active.

Local residents will be involved in shaping the work to make sure the support fits their needs. 

Children and young people will also have opportunities to share their views and influence decisions to ensure young people’s voices are truly heard and inform future decision-making around sport and physical.

Being active helps with both physical and mental health. National research from Sport England shows that being active can help prevent more than 3 million health conditions every year, saving the NHS up to £8 billion. 

It can reduce depression, help prevent type 2 diabetes and back pain, and support recovery for older adults.

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

“To do this, we’re focusing on places, towns, cities, and communities, where people face the biggest challenges. 

“We are committed to working with local partners and communities to break down the barriers to physical activity so that everyone has equal access to a more active life. 

“We are excited to see what we can achieve together in Hastings.”