Active Lincolnshire is encouraging organisations, community groups, workplaces and individuals from across the county to ‘Join in the Movement’ and make a pledge to enable and encourage others to be active as part of the Let’s Move Lincolnshire strategy.

Let’s Move Lincolnshire is a countywide movement encouraging everyone in Lincolnshire to be more active. Being physically active can help us all lead healthier lives – and it has an important role to play in improving the wellbeing of our community. At the heart of the strategy is the idea that every move counts, with a focus on creating opportunities for everyone to be active in a way that works for them, wherever they live, work or study, and whatever their age, background or ability.

The movement is spearheaded by Active Lincolnshire, and is a collaboration across sectors including health and care, community and voluntary organisations, local authorities, businesses, environment, planning, and the physical activity, leisure, and sport sector to provide everyone access and opportunities to be more active.

Organisations and individuals ae being encouraged to make a pledge to show their commitment to helping more people be more active more often. The refreshed Let’s Move Lincolnshire strategy was officially launched at a special event in the Activity Zone of the Lincolnshire Show last week. Partners and stakeholders as well as visitors to the show made their pledges, committing to actions that will aid residents of Lincolnshire to be able to make active choices and lead more active lives.

Emma Tatlow, Chief Executive of Active Lincolnshire said:

“To enable more people in Lincolnshire to be more active requires everyone to play their part. We invite partners, residents and stakeholders across the county to come together to support the movement and make their pledge. Let’s Move Lincolnshire is a ten-year strategy with a vision to make Lincolnshire a place where everyone has the opportunity to be physically active every day.

The strategy is underpinned with a focus on tackling the inequalities that exist to accessing options to be active. We’ll support the universal offer of activities across the county, but focus more to support those people who face greater barriers to participation.

Every action that helps others to engage with activity can all make a difference – whether that’s a workplace encouraging active travel, a parish council providing accessible play areas, or individuals encouraging their friends and family to be more active, it all contributes to a healthier and happier county where activity is embedded in daily lives.”

Gemma Warrington, winner of the Active Change Award at last year’s Lincolnshire Sport and Physical Activity Awards spoke at the launch, commented:

“I have gained so much from becoming active it’s unbelievable. I am so much more flexible and agile and I am also so much healthier mentally, as once you begin on the journey of exercise and you get into a routine, it can almost be like meditation – it makes you feel so good and I honestly believe it can feel addictive with all the happy hormones it releases!

I’m physically fitter, so my stamina has increased, my determination, and I just feel fantastic. I was so lucky that my employer (North Kesteven District Council) introduced a scheme called “The Shape Hour” which was one hour per day where employees were encouraged to get up from their desks and exercise whenever and wherever to look after their physical and mental health during lockdown. I bought a bike and started walking and biking for an hour per day, and even carried on across the weekends. That is when the magic began!”

The refreshed Let’s Move Lincolnshire Strategy is supporting the delivery of the national Sport England strategy Uniting the Movement locally across their 5 big issues.

• Recover and Reinvent - focuses on supporting the physical activity sector to recover from the detrimental effect of the Covid-19, and creating a sustainable network of organisations providing physical activity opportunities that meet the different needs of Lincolnshire residents.
  
  
• Positive Experiences Children and Young People -working towards creating a county where all children can have a positive experience of physical activity as the foundations for a long and healthy life.
  
  
• Active Environments – Providing safe accessible spaces and places for people to be active, and maximising our green and blue environment.
  
  
• Connecting Communities – Focusing on sport and physical activity’s ability to make better places to live and bring people together.
  
  
• Connecting with Health and Wellbeing – Strengthening the connections between sport, physical activity, health and wellbeing, so more people feel the benefits of and advocate for an active life - reducing pressure on the health and care system.

To get involved and make your pledge on the Let's Move Lincolnshire website.

Find out more about the Let’s Move Lincolnshire strategy here