Active Communities Strategy 2024-2027

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet has agreed a new Active Communities Strategy for 2024 to 2027, to commence from 1 July 2024. The Strategy will be delivered by the District Council's leisure provider, Everyone Active (Sports and Leisure Management Ltd.) in partnership with the Council.   

The Active Communities Strategy aligns with the Council Plan 2023-2027, which includes Health and Wellbeing as one of its six main areas of focus. The outcomes will be monitored by the Council through regular operations meetings and annual reviews of the Strategy. In February 2024, the Council approved new funding for an additional Active Communities Instructor to be employed by Everyone Active to enhance the delivery of the Strategy.

The Strategy aims to facilitate, support and provide opportunities for residents across the District to participate in physical activity by working with key partners to raise awareness of the offering available.

Furthermore, the Strategy has three main themes:

1. Strategic Theme 1 - Encourage communities to be healthy and active through sustainable programmes:

• Increase participation with a focus on key groups and communities.
• Tackle existing health inequalities.
• Promote innovative solutions.
• Advocate for those who do not have a choice.

2. Strategic Theme 2 - Enhance and sustain existing facilities and provision:

• Ensure sufficient level of provision across leisure centres and public open spaces.
• Embed environmental sustainability throughout all we do.

3. Strategic Theme 3 - Elevate the importance of being physically active throughout our communities:

• Champion existing programmes, clubs and groups.
• Embed the idea of being physically active as crucial to physical and mental health, making it sustainable and a regular part of everyone's everyday life.
• Enable and steer system-wide partnership working and collaboration with key partners, including the Community Builder for the Clopton and Bishopton areas in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Cllr Lorraine Grocott, Portfolio Holder for Environmental and Neighbourhood Services, said: "This is an excellent piece of work, which considers the need for physical wellbeing. We will be working closely with key partners and Parish and Town Councils to reach the areas of the District which might not have close access to a leisure centre or activity group.

"The annual reviews and the regular monitoring of outcomes will allow for a more thorough and specific goal-setting Strategy, as well as keeping up to date with local community needs."