Gravesham is one of just two areas in Kent and 53 across the country included in new Place Partnerships announced by Sports England today (27 February).
Designed to help more people to be physically active by breaking down the barriers to participation, Sport England’s Place Partnerships will see £250 million invested in key areas of the country.
The money will help meet particular challenges in the borough, where 38% of Year 6 children are overweight and nearly 1-in-3 adults are physically inactive.
Gravesham Borough Council has identified Northfleet North and Westcourt as the two areas where the funding will be targeted, and will now work with Sport England, Active Kent and Medway and local community groups and organisations to make sure it makes a difference for those who need support the most.
Welcoming the partnership, Cllr Deborah Croxton, Gravesham Borough Council’s cabinet member for community and leisure, said: “We know that some of our urban wards are among the most deprived in the country, let alone Kent, and physical inactivity and how to tackle that has to be a key challenge to meet.
“Getting up and staying active is essential to an individual’s health, wellbeing and life prospects. There should be no barriers to a healthier lifestyle.
“Working with Sport England and local partners on the ground here in Gravesham, this financial and practical support will make a real difference to the lives of communities in the heart of Gravesend and Northfleet.”
Liz Davidson, Active Partnership Director, Active Kent & Medway said: ““We are delighted that Kent has two places included in the first phase of Sport England’s Place Partnerships programme.
“We look forward to building on our work with colleagues in Gravesham and Thanet to develop a place-based systems approach to physical activity that reflects the unique priorities and needs of these two areas.”