Active Sussex

04/09/2026

“Don’t wait for perfect circumstances. Start small, take baby steps and do what you can – celebrate the small wins” - Ami

This is the ethos behind This Girl Can's new challenge - Move for 10

The idea is simple and achievable:
✨ Move for 10 minutes
✨ Do it 10 times in a month
✨ Any activity, any pace
✨ Start whenever you’re ready

It’s all about helping women feel good through small bursts of movement, and reminding them that starting small is more than enough.

Women can sign up on the This Girl Can website, log their sessions, and find loads of ideas to help them get started. The challenge is always open, so you can join any time, pause when needed, and come back when the moment feels right.

We’d love our partners and communities to get involved by:
💡 Encouraging women to search This Girl Can Move for 10
💬 Sharing inspiration or stories that show how easy it can be to begin
🏃 Showing how your activities can help women clock up their 10 minutes
📣 Spreading the word across your networks

26/08/2026

Do not miss out on this year's Active Sussex conference.

The day will feature internationally recognised designer, placemaker and social entrepreneur Wayne Hemingway MBE as keynote speaker, alongside local experts who will share their invaluable experiences and learnings.

The conference will take place on Tuesday, September 29 at The University of Sussex, Falmer.

Book your ticket here: www.activesussex.org/events-and-networks/active-sussex-network-and-conference/active-sussex-conference-2026/

25/08/2026

Please share these two great opportunities for FREE training with your partners.

September 10 - Buddle: Raising Money - 12pm-1.30pm, online
https://eequ.org/experience/27836

September 14 - Helping People Become More Active - 6pm-7.30pm, online
https://eequ.org/book/helping-people-to-become-more-active-with-active-hastings-27846

These workshops are for clubs, coaches, volunteers, and community activity providers, and will help you:
- Grow participation
- Strengthen community engagement
- Build confidence and skills
- Support more people to live active, healthier lives

We look forward to seeing you online!

24/08/2026

Green social prescribing is a powerful way to support people’s health and wellbeing by helping them connect with nature through gardening, walking groups, conservation projects and more.

National evidence shows that these activities can boost mental health, reduce loneliness and help people feel more confident and connected.

The National Academy for Social Prescribing has released new Green Social Prescribing Practitioner Guidance to help organisations safely support people referred through social prescribing.

It includes practical steps on managing referrals, sharing information, training, supervision and quality improvement.

👉 Explore the guidance:
https://socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/resources/launch-of-the-green-social-prescribing-practitioner-guidance/

21/08/2026

Today we wanted to share what you need to know about how DBS guidance has changed.

From September 1, new rules in the Crime and Policing Act 2026 mean that the supervision exemption has been removed from DBS guidance for schools, colleges and childcare settings.

This affects volunteers and helpers who teach, train, instruct or supervise children.

Even if they are supervised by a qualified coach or staff member, these roles are now classed as regulated activity if they happen:
✔ Frequently
✔ For more than three days in a month
✔ Overnight

This means volunteers in these roles will now be eligible for an enhanced DBS check.

If your club or group has helpers supporting children’s sessions, please take a moment to review your safer recruitment processes and make sure you’re following the updated guidance.

If you need more advice, please do reach out to our Sport Welfare Officers by emailing [email protected]

20/08/2026

Thank you to all our partners and the local Sussex MPs who supported Sport England in retaining its statutory consultee role for planning.

This decision means our playing fields are that bit more protected, making sure residents have access to move more in their local community.

Following the announcement this week, Chris Boardman, Chair of Sport England, said: “We welcome the Government’s decision to retain Sport England’s role as a statutory consultee on the most significant planning applications affecting playing fields and community sport.

“The places where we play, move and come together shape the health of our nation.

“At a time when inactivity contributes to one in six deaths, and more than 20% of children leave primary school obese, protecting opportunities to be active has never been more important.

“Once a playing field is lost, it is rarely replaced, which is why independent expert advice on the biggest planning decisions remains vital.

“We’ve always supported the Government’s ambition to deliver more homes and boost economic growth.

“These changes ensure our expertise is focused where it can make the greatest difference, for healthy communities today and for the generations that follow.”

You can read more here:

Following a government review by MHCLG, Sport England will retain its statutory consultee role on key planning applications

19/08/2026

There is still time to sign up for our free Creating Healthy Active Environments webinar.

Do not miss the webinar on Wednesday, September 2, 7-8 pm.

Sign up here: https://www.activesussex.org/events/creating-healthy-active-environments-webinar/

18/08/2026

It’s been a busy summer for our Sport Welfare Officers, who’ve been out across Sussex helping clubs feel more confident and connected around safeguarding.

Since they started in their role, they’ve supported more than 176 clubs, delivered 70+ visits, run training and learning events, and even teamed up with the LTA at the Eastbourne Tennis Championships to chat with parents, young people and club staff about keeping sport safe and welcoming for everyone.

Their work is making a real difference in creating positive experiences in sport.

Take a look at what they’ve been up to: activesussex.org/news-and-campaigns/latest-news/a-busy-summer-for-the-active-sussex-sport-welfare-officers/

17/08/2026

The latest This Girl Can webinar has revealed an exciting new campaign launching in September — Move for Ten!

The idea is simple: move for ten minutes, ten times a month. Small steps that can make a big difference to how women feel, move and connect.

We’d love everyone across Sussex to get involved. Could you offer a ten‑minute taster session? Share a short video to help women take that first step? Every little bit helps.

Watch the webinar to learn more, and remember to tag and so we can share your brilliant ideas.

Campaign assets will be available in the next couple of weeks.

Watch the latest webinars hosted by This Girl Can, including one launching the latest phase of the campaign, Belonging Starts with Inclusion, which aims to tackle inequalities and support organisations helping women to get active on their terms.

14/08/2026

Looking for funding to support your club, organisation or community project?
There is a wide range of opportunities currently available across Sussex, from local grants to national programmes, all designed to help you grow your impact, strengthen delivery and support more people to move more.

Our Active Sussex Funding page brings everything together in one place, including:

Local funding options for Hastings, Rother and across Sussex

National grants for sport, physical activity and community wellbeing

Support for facilities, equipment, inclusion projects and workforce development

Whether you’re a club, charity, school, community group or local partner, this page is your go‑to starting point.

Explore all current funding opportunities:
👉 https://www.activesussex.org/insight-and-funding/funding/