Let's Get Moving: Physical Activity and Sport Strategy in easy read

An easy read version of the Brighton & Hove Physical Activity and Sport Strategy

Image of two women moving together, with text saying 'Be active'.

Our physical activity and sport strategy

Physical activity is movement and exercise that helps us stay healthy and well.

Image of man with football, woman walking and group of people dancing.

It includes things like: 

  • sports like football or tennis
  • dancing
  • walking to the shops 
  • riding a bike
  • gardening
Image of a book with 'Plan' on cover.

This strategy is our plan for how we will support and encourage people in Brighton & Hove to be active and move more, every day.

Our plan tells you about the things we will do over the next 10 years to achieve this.

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Our vision

We want Brighton & Hove to be a place to live where everyone can: • Find it easy to take part in activities they enjoy. • Get support to move more if they need it.

We want to make Brighton & Hove one of the most active cities in England.

Cartoon heart and happy man.

Why moving more matters

Being active and moving more can help you:

  • stay healthy and well and stop getting illnesses like heart problems or stroke
  • feel happier and improve your mood
Man holding an image of the earth, two friends smiling, woman with tennis racket.
  • have fun with friends and meet other people
  • learn new skills 
  • care for the environment by walking and cycling instead of using a car
Woman walking with symbol saying '150 minutes'.

How much physical activity you should do

Adults should do 150 minutes of moderate activity each week.

Young people and symbol that reads '60 minutes'.

 

Children and young people (aged 6 to 18) should do 60 minutes each day.

Young child and symbol saying '180 minutes'.

 

Children under 5 should do 180 minutes every day.

Young woman stretching.

Moderate activity is different for everyone, depending on how fit you are.

Moderate activity means you should: 

  • Breathe a bit quicker 
  • Start to feel warmer 
  • Feel your heart beating a bit faster
  • You can still talk but can’t sing!

 

Text saying '10 minutes' surrounded by a timer.

 

When starting out, start slowly. Small amounts of exercise (just 10 minutes) can help to improve your health.

Person looking sad.

How active people are in Brighton & Hove

People in Brighton & Hove are generally more active compared to other areas in England. 

But there are many people in the city who do little or no exercise each week because of barriers that make it harder for them to be more active.

Group of people of different ages, ethnicities and disabilities.

We know that some people can experience greater barriers to being active include:

  • Older people (aged 55+)
  • People with long term health conditions or a disability
  • People who are unemployed
  • Women and girls
  • People from Black, Asian, Chinese and other ethnic backgrounds
  • In some parts of the city more people are inactive than in other areas
Group of people dancing.

We want everyone to enjoy the benefits of being more active.

We will focus on supporting people who are less active to move more.

Group of people in front of large speech bubbles.

What people told us

In 2022 we spoke to over 800 people in Brighton & Hove to find out what would make it easier for them to be more active.

Image of woman looking sad because she is excluded, and another looking confused.

People told us:

  • Sport and exercise activities can sometimes make people feel left out
  • It can be hard to know what is available in the city.
Money with a red line across it, child, young adult and older woman, and woman in swimming pool

People said they want:

  • More free or low-cost ways to be active
  • More activities that make it easier for people of different ages, abilities and health needs to join in
  • Improvements to local sports facilities
Group of people in front of a house and church, a woman helping another woman up, woman sat at desk with computer keyboard.
  • Help to be more motivated and try out new activities
  • To feel safer when walking, cycling or wheeling around the city
  • Support to be active while at work
Two women looking at each other and happy.

1. Active Culture: We want being active and moving more to be part of everyday life

We will:

  • Make it easier for people to find information about local activities 
  • Make it easier for people to get support they need to take part in activities
Woman advertising an event and two people in front of a whiteboard.
  • Organise fun sports events and activities that everyone can enjoy
  • Provide training for people that helps them talk about getting more active with the people they work with
Children playing together.

2. Active People

We want to develop opportunities in the city that help people to move more and stay active throughout their lives.

We will: 

  • Make sure all children and young people have positive experiences of play, sport and exercise in school and in the community
  • Support people to live well by staying active as they get older
Group of people speaking with plain speech bubbles.
  • Speak to people who are less active to find out what would help them move more
  •  Work together with people from health, care, education and the community to connect people with local opportunities that can help them move more
Group of people talking around a table.

3. Active Communities 

We want to empower local communities to offer opportunities that help people to be active.

We will:

  • Listen to communities to find out what could help people to be more active and work with them find solutions
House symbol with people doing different work inside. Including a person with cakes, someone with a laptop, and a person wearing a suit.
  • Support local sports, dance and exercise providers to offer high quality activities that include everyone
  • Support people to volunteer and help others in the community to move more 
  • Support local employers to provide workplaces that help people move more
Two people standing in front of a bus.

4. Active Environments 

We want sports facilities, parks, open spaces and buildings to offer safe, accessible spaces that encourage people to be more active.

We will: 

• Develop the city so that people can safely walk, cycle and travel easily.

Big green building with a sign reading 'Leisure Centre'.
  • Provide sport and leisure facilities that offer good, accessible opportunities for everyone to enjoy being more active
  • Help more people to enjoy using parks, the seafront and outdoor spaces to be active
  • Use ‘Active Design’ guidance to help us build places to live that make it easier for people to be more active
Group of people sat around a table, surrounded by a purple banner reading 'Plan'.

5. Active Systems 

We want to keep learning and working together across the city so we can make the biggest positive change in people’s lives.

We will:

  • Work closely with organisations who can help people to be more active in the city
Woman in a wheelchair next to a ramp, with a stopwatch and easy read document nearby. A speech bubble reading 'I need...'.. Two people playing table tennis.
  • Share what we know about the support people need to move more
  • Encourage people in the city to think about how they could support people to be more active 
  • Support people to develop skills that will help other people who are less active to move more
Man with megaphone.

How you can get involved

Tell other people you know about this plan to help people get more active.

 

Man with thinking bubble.

Think about how much activity you do.

  • Would you like to do more?
  • What types of activity do you enjoy?
Woman on the phone and two people talking with speech bubbles.

Find out about what you can do and what support is available by contacting the Healthy Lifestyles Team.

Share your experience of being active and what could help make it easier for people in the city

Laptop with image of email.

Contact us

Healthy Lifestyles Team, Brighton & Hove City Council.

Email: Healthylifestyles@brighton-hove.gov.uk 

Phone number: 01273 294589 

Facebook: @BHhealthylife 

X: @BHhealthylife