Health, Physical Activity & Sport
Policies and Resources
STRATEGIES, POLICIES AND RESOURCES
Listed below are website links and downloads for a number of strategies, policies and resources that link into health and physical activity agendas:
Start Active, Stay Active
Start Active, Stay Active is a UK-wide document that presents guidelines on the volume, duration, frequency and type of physical activity required across the lifecourse to achieve general health benefits. There are separate guidelines for early years, children and young people, adults and older adults. The guidelines will help policy makers and health professionals, as well as individuals themselves to understand how to reduce the risk of ill health associated with inactivity and sedentary behaviours. This is the first time that the guidelines have been UK wide which should help ensure consistent messaging.
View here to see report and guidelines (pdf)
Be Active, Be Healthy
Be Active, Be Healthy established a new national framework for the delivery of physical activity alongside sport. Helping Local Authorities and Primary Care Trusts to determine and respond to the needs of their local populations, and delivering overall cost savings by getting more people active, with a focus on the sedentary (published February 2009).
View here to download framework
Healthy Weight Healthy Lives
A cross-government strategy to help everyone lead healthier lives. Supports the creation of a healthy society - from early years, to schools and food, from sport and physical activity to planning, transport and the health service (published October 2008.)
View here for download strategy
Get Active South East
The strategy aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the population of the region by addressing the underlying causes of ill-health in a sustainable way, and reducing the inequalities in health that exist between different geographical areas and population groups (published February 2008).
View here for physical activity framework 2008-12 (pdf)
South East England Health Strategy
The strategy aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the population of the region by addressing the underlying causes of ill-health in a sustainable way, and reducing the inequalities in health that exist between different geographical areas and population groups (published February 2008).
View here for South East England Health Strategy (pdf)
Active People Survey
The Active People Survey measures participation in a wide range of physical activities and delivers results at local authority level. It highlights the differences in participation amongst local population and can assist with selecting target groups and areas to work with.
View here for Active People Survey
Health Profiles for Kent
Local Authority Health Profiles are designed to show the health of people in local authorities across England. The Health Profiles can be used by local authorities and the health service to highlight the health issues for their local authority area and to compare them with other areas. The profiles are designed to show where there are important problems with health or health inequalities.
To find out the Health Profile for Kent and local authorities follow this link
Wellbeing South East
An online networking area for the physical activity workforce across the region: case studies, news, jobs, campaigns, events, evidence, contacts.
View here for the Wellbeing South East website
change4life
change4Life is the society-wide movement that aims to prevent people from becoming overweight by encouraging them to eat better and move more.
View here for change4life 'Local Partners'
View here for change4life Promoting Activity Toolkit
Let's Get Moving
Based on the recommendations of the 2006 NICE guidance, Let’s Get Moving (LGM) is a behaviour change programme in the form of a primary care pathway, designed for inactive adults aged 16-74. It is cited as a priority for local investment in the NHS Operating Framework 2010/11.
View here for NHS Operating Framework 2010/11
View here for Let's Get Moving Guidelines
NHS Forest
1.3 million trees (one per NHS employee) are to be planted in the next five years on NHS sites: GP surgeries, PCT offices, hospitals, SHAs. This is part of the Campaign for Greener Healthcare. It involves volunteers and digging!
To get involved please view this link
Cycle to Work Guarantee
The Cycle to Work Guarantee is a voluntary initiative from the Department for Transport, challenging organisations to become cycle friendly employers by making it easy for staff to cycle to and from work. Includes details of the very popular ‘bicycle loan scheme’.
Please view to sign up to scheme
Let's Dance
A high profile campaign promoting all forms of Dance for all levels including absolute beginners.
View here for Let's Dance change4life toolkits
View here to find out about Dance opportunities
Walk4life & Active Challenge Walking Routes
2,012 new one mile walking routes across the country so people can test their fitness levels using a version of the Rockport one mile walking test.
View here for further information
Walking for Health
Natural England’s Walking for Health initiative encourages enjoyment of local natural spaces by providing health walks led by volunteer leaders.
To get involved please view here
Green Gym
Green Gym provides a natural workout in the outdoors as an alternative to the traditional gym. It presents people of all ages and abilities with an opportunity to get fit, de-stress and meet new friends, learn new skills and conserve nature.
View here for further information
British Heart Foundation
The BHF have a range of booklets, videos, CD-Roms, posters and other educational materials, some of which are downloadable and others which are available to order online either free of charge, or for a small suggested donation.
View here to see what is available
The BHF National Centre for Physical Activity & Health is committed to developing and promoting resources, training, information and guidance that will help professionals encourage people to be more physically active.
View here for further information
Department of Health factsheets
The Department of Health has produced a series of factsheets covering topics such as health, work and wellbeing, physical activity, obesity, social marketing and health inequalities.



