A new funding programme to support and enable community and voluntary groups to reduce physical activity inequalities and deliver better health outcomes within the Wealden area has been launched.

The initiative has been made available by funds from East Sussex County Council’s Public Health department. Funding will be used to enable groups to develop a placed-based approach or approaches to support physical activity programmes that look to reduce health inequalities and improve health outcomes over a specified period.

The aim of the funding programme is to develop place-based approaches to supporting physical activity in Wealden. These must focus on the impact that COVID-19 has had on the local sport, the physical activity sector and residents. The project will seek to identify and implement the actions needed to address the issues that have arisen due to the pandemic and support physical activity delivery and participation.

The funding programme is available to one or more delivery partners which can apply for between £1,000 and £15,000 for projects enabling Wealden residents to become more active.

Applications for funding are invited from voluntary and community organisations. The funding programme opened on Tuesday 13^th September. If you would like an application form please email wellbeing@wealden.gov.uk. Applications must be received by the 28^th October 2022.

Research undertaken by Active Sussex identified older people, people living in deprived areas, disabled people/ people living with long-term health conditions and black and south Asian people as the four priority groups within Wealden most at risk of inactivity.

Councillor Philip Lunn, portfolio holder for Leisure, said, “We are thrilled to be able to increase the physical activity levels of the four priority groups within Wealden. The funding is welcomed to tackle inactivity and to promote inclusion across disadvantaged communities.

“We recognise that the pandemic has affected many people and this funding will address the issues that arose during the pandemic with lack of physical activity, delivery and participation.”