Why it matters: Each selected place ranks in the top 10% of the country for inactivity, social need, deprivation and health inequality. The investment aims to enable those in greatest need to be physically active.
By the numbers: Sport England research calculates that active lifestyles save £10.5 billion a year for the health and social care system, preventing:
1.3 million cases of depression
600,000 cases of diabetes
57,000 cases of dementia annually
The big picture: Less than half of children are meeting the Chief Medical Officer's guidelines for daily physical activity. Women, people from lower socio-economic groups and Black and Asian people are still less likely to be active than other adults.
How it works: The place-based working approach focuses on partnership working, collaboration and co-production to deliver positive impacts in four main areas:
Increasing physical activity
Decreasing physical inactivity
Tackling inequalities that prevent people from being active
Providing positive experiences for children and young people
What they're saying: Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Sport England's Executive Director for Place, said: "We are proud to announce our partnerships with 53 new places in every corner of the country today. We know that where someone lives plays a huge part in how active, or not, they will be. Through our Place Expansion programme we will work with local partners and communities to break down the barriers to physical activity so that everyone has equal access to a more active life."
Gareth Davies, Director of Active Suffolk said: "We are delighted that Ipswich has been included in Sport England's Phase-1 Place Expansion. This opportunity can create tangible, positive change to physical activity levels within the town, increasing the physical and mental health of our local communities."
Local reaction: Councillor John Cook, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Communities and Sport, said: "We're delighted that Ipswich has been recognised as one of the 53 Places going into Phase 1 of Sport England's Place Expansion. Our ambition is to tackle the challenges and barriers preventing people from getting active."
Cllr Steve Wiles, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection at Suffolk County Council said: "I welcome Suffolk's involvement in Sport England's Place Programme and I am really pleased to support this initiative. Inactivity is a major public health issue with a significant proportion of the population at risk of disease from not doing enough physical activity."
The bottom line: Active Suffolk will work alongside local organisations to remove barriers to physical activity, enabling Ipswich residents to begin, continue, or increase their physical activity journeys.
