Active Lancashire, the strategic lead for sport and physical activity across the county, is set to launch the Place Universal Offer (PUO) supporting Sport England’s Strategy, ‘Uniting the Movement’.
The PUO will put physical activity at the heart of everyday life in Fleetwood, Morecambe and Skelmersdale – encouraging people to move more in their daily lives. Where someone lives can strongly affect how active our communities are. Active Lancashire and partners will be taking a place-based approach to the work alongside local councils, health services, employers, schools and community groups to create more opportunities for people to be active in ways that work for them. Each area named in the PUO will have a bespoke focus and implementation plan tailored in response to local inequalities – from supporting schools to open their facilities, to helping partners design more joined-up approaches – but the ambition remains the same: making activity more accessible, inclusive and part of daily life.
The offer forms part of Sport England’s ‘Uniting the Movement’ strategy, which is designed to ensure that physical activity is recognised and harnessed as a powerful tool to improve health, reduce inequalities and create lasting positive change across communities.
Paul Blythin, Director of Health and Skills at Active Lancashire, said: “We’re delighted that Sport England are investing further into the communities of Lancashire through the Place Universal Offer. This investment enables us to work with communities to support residents to live healthier, more active lives and help communities to thrive.
“By working closely with local partners, we can make sure opportunities to be active are accessible, inclusive and firmly embedded in the places people live, work and learn.”
Councillor Lynne Bowen, Leisure, Health and Community Engagement Portfolio Holder for Wyre Council adds: “We’re proud to be working with Active Lancashire on the Place Universal Offer, which aligns perfectly with our Wyre Moving More ambition to make physical activity a natural part of everyday life. This partnership supports our wider ambitions to improve health, reduce inequalities and build stronger, more connected communities where everyone has the chance to thrive through movement.”
Alongside targeted work in these priority places, Active Lancashire will also provide county-wide support. This will include helping organisations and communities engage with Sport England’s funded programmes, sharing national campaigns that inspire people to move more, and offering a wide range of digital resources and training opportunities.
The Place Universal Offer work is set to begin this autumn, with colleagues already forming connections in local areas to understand the barriers residents face towards movement. To find out more or get involved, contact office@activelancashire.org.uk or please look at Support to unite sector in place-based work | Sport England
