Consultation on our plan to help people become more active in County Durham

Background

Between October and December 2022, we consulted with people to find out what would help them be more active. As part of the consultation, we also had conversations with over 600 people from a range of backgrounds including young people, traveller communities, older people, those with a long term illness and those who deliver activities that promote moving more. They told us that the top barriers were: health, time and financial pressures and feels around starting something new or different. Walking was the favourite way of being active.

We also talked to clubs, leisure, businesses/workplaces, NHS colleagues, planning, community groups and voluntary and charity sector organisations to find ways of helping people to be move more in their everyday lives.

From these conversations, we have developed a Moving Together in County Durham Strategy.

The Moving Together in County Durham Strategy

The draft strategy sets out a joint plan to help everyone in County Durham to move more. It lists the benefits of moving more at each stage of life, as well and the positive impact it has on:

• people's physical wellbeing
• people's mental wellbeing
• people's personal development
• people's social lives
• the local economy
• the environment

It also identifies four priority action areas that will help to make a difference:

• Children and Young People - creating opportunities for increased movement
• Inclusive Communities - reaching out to those who will benefit the most
• Active Environments - making sure we can easily use our outdoors to move more
• Health and Social Care Settings - making sure that those in care are supported to be active

Before the draft strategy is adopted, we would like to hear your views or final comments.

• Draft Moving Together in County Durham Action Plan (PDF, 1000 KB)
• Draft Moving Together Strategy for County Durham (PDF, 3 MB)

Have your say

Next steps

Your comments will be considered, and where possible the strategy will be amended, or they will be used as part of an action plan to accompany the strategy. The Strategy will be considered and adopted by the Health and Wellbeing Board.