Communities on the edge – blog from Active Humber CEO

David Gent from Active Humber has written a blog for Sport England about the inequalities that people face in England’s coastal towns.

The blog explains the particularities of living by the coast and how Sport England’s funding is helping improve activity levels in these communities.

The blog says:

“The deteriorating state of coastal living standards is driven by deprivation and the complex and challenging issues around housing, transport and employment, which together lead to disproportionate lower levels of physical activity.”

Place-based funding through Sport England is helping to make a difference in specific areas with programmes like Active Withernsea. Physical activity levels in Withernsea went from 44% of residents being inactive, to 15% between 2018 and 2024.

David’s blog continues: “Happiness and satisfaction with life have also improved and anxiety amongst Withernsea residents has decreased, while activity for those with a disability has seen the biggest increase.

“A Physical Activity and Community Engagement (PACE) network has been established to lead physical activity projects going forward and ensure that the work continues with more than 100 residents, groups and partners now directing the next steps to continue to deliver physical activity for the people of Withernsea.”

Click here to read Sport England’s full blog