Find out what our champions have to say about the benefits of being active.
There are many ways for you to be more active. It’s not just about running marathons and playing sports. Simply moving more and spending less time being inactive every day is good for your physical and mental wellbeing.
Some of our local residents have shared how they stay active in a way that suits them. These are our local activity champions. Read how their activities help to improve their health or feel more connected to others.
Tom started swimming once or twice a week 20 years ago. As he got to know people at the pool he ended up going daily. Through his regular activity, a good diet and stopping smoking he has managed to lose weight and reverse his high blood pressure and diabetes.
Tom says "you don't notice you're exercising when you've got someone to speak to"
Paul plays visually impaired tennis and regularly joins the Park Run on Hove seafront. He makes sure he is active every day. Paul says people with disabilities can sometimes feel that being active is not for them, but he is proof that they can be.
Paul says "whatever your situation, go out and give it a go."
Claire loves yoga. As well as helping her to stay active, it helps her to relax, improve her wellbeing and helps her to manage her health condition. She helps others to get active as part of her job and is a role model to many. She tells them ‘If I can do it – you can do it.’
Claire says "I do yoga when I'm at home, or when I'm on holiday and it just makes me feel good."
JP is an award-winning hip hop dancer, choreographer and teacher who has performed in five continents across the world. He’s a role model to hundreds of kids and adults alike and shares his passion for dance with people of all ages in his classes.
JP says "it's about bringing people together and sharing dance, music, laughter and movement."
Harry competes in international table tennis tournaments and is ranked at number 1 in the UK in his category. Playing table tennis helps him to be active, feel happy and he has made friends all over the world because of it. He also coaches others at his club.
Harry says "table tennis is about giving respect. I respect you and you respect me as we are playing."
Jade has been dancing since she was a young child. At 11 she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes which affects the way she exercises. Jade doesn’t let that stop her and works hard to manage her condition. She now attends one of the most prestigious musical theatre schools in the UK.
Jade says "if you want to get active start with the things that make you happy."
Marta has been a dance artist for over 40 years. She runs a community dance company welcoming people of all ages, abilities, genders and nationalities. She is a huge inspiration to her dancers and students, and helps them to enjoy the benefits of dancing.
Marta says "Our dance company is so welcoming. We chat before and often have a coffee after."
When Barrie retired he realised he was overweight and wanted to change things so he joined a fitness class with his wife and her friends. Ten years on he is still attending, has also taken up cycling and golf, and feels much healthier for it.
Barrie says "I have never done a class that I regretted doing."
Shula has been weight training since she was 20 and is now over 70. It helps her stay ahead in life and manage her health condition. She says she feels stronger and gets better every year.
Shula says "if I feel strong physically it helps me to face life and its challenges."
Mia and Amber have followed in the footsteps of their active parents by taking up karate, gymnastics, swimming and football. Being active helps them all to be healthy, get them out of the house, do things as a family and have some fun.
They say "do something that you enjoy, even if its just going for a walk."
Julie did a Couch to 5k course during lockdown and met lots of new friends who continue to support each other to keep active. Julie now volunteers to help motivate and encourage new recruits to the course.
Julie says "I can message the group asking if anyone is free to go for a job and someone will say let's go."
Noah and Joshua love being active and outdoors. They are often involved activities, whether it’s karate and gymnastics at school, football training, sports clubs with friends or even playing on the trampoline at home.
They say "being active is a great way to keep healthy and is fun as well."
Sarah took up skating after watching her son and decided it would be more fun to be involved. She now inspires women and girls to skate in the coaching sessions she leads. She passionately believes girls can skate too.
Sarah says "I feel so frustrated that I left it so long to take up skateboarding - it isn't just for guys."
