June 19, 2025

This week, we were proud to welcome colleagues from Sport England and the Active Partnerships national team to West Cumbria for a series of powerful conversations and connections.

The visit was an opportunity to meet with local partners and to see and hear first-hand about Let’s Move! the place-based work underway - work that is already making a real difference in helping communities move more, live better, and overcome the barriers to being active.

At the heart of these conversations was Sport England’s ‘Uniting the Movement’ strategy – which is unashamedly focused on tackling inactivity and reducing inequalities by making sport and physical activity accessible to everyone, every day.

We know that where someone lives matters. It shapes the choices they have, the opportunities they're given, and ultimately how active they can be. That’s why Place Expansion is so important.

Areas of Workington, Whitehaven and Maryport are set to receive a share of £250 million investment of National Lottery and Exchequer funding. Under the name ‘Let’s Move!’ we are delighted to be working in deep partnership with local authorities, health services, community and voluntary groups, transport and housing sectors, schools, leisure providers and other delivery partners to help shape this important piece of work.

Together, we’re aiming to create systemic, sustainable change - especially in the places where people face the greatest barriers to a more active life.

Speaking of the visit Sport England’s Director of Place Relationships, Adam Rigarlsford said: “It was great to experience such passion and commitment in the Let’s Move! place-based work  and to hear from local stakeholders and system leaders who along with Active Cumbria are the driving force for local change.”

Thank you to everyone who joined us in West Cumbria. These partnerships are at the heart of long-term progress, and we’re excited about what’s ahead.

Photo shows: Adam Rigarlsford, Lucie Unsworth, Ian Silvera and Tina Pilkington from Sport England along with Andy Taylor from the Active Partnerships National Team and some of the Active Cumbria Let’s Move! Programme team including Richard Johnston and Cameron Wilson meeting local partners and stakeholders who are helping lead and shape the place expansion work in West Cumbria.