Active Suffolk Annual Report 2021:22 - Flipbook - Page 19
Closing Comments
Whilst we all hoped that 20/21 would be unique
in the challenges that it presented, 2021/22
has unfortunately, delivered more of the
same. Despite that I am immensely proud of
the flexibility, adaptability and resilience that
Active Suffolk staff continued to demonstrate
throughout this period to support Suffolk’s
collaborative response to the pandemic.
The Active Lives Survey clearly portrayed the damage
that that Covid has done to physical activity levels
across Suffolk, with some areas seeing more than
a 10% reduction in physical activity. However, I’m
delighted to report that as we continue to recover,
Suffolk Communities immediately seized the
opportunity to return to exercise and reverse this
trend.
It is clear, now more than ever, the benefits of
physical activity and exercise have to health and
mental wellbeing dictating that the Sport and Physical
Activity sector will remain pivotal to both our physical
and economic recovery from the pandemic. Our
continued support of Sport England’s Uniting the
Movement strategy will offer the best opportunity
for Suffolk to rebuild quickly and robustly and Active
Suffolk looks forward to leading this recovery.
We have continued to support Suffolk to remain
active by distributing funding to clubs and
organisations, helping them to survive through
this difficult period. Now, as we start to emerge
from lock-down, we will continue to support them,
allowing them to re-grow and thrive. We have also
strengthened our relationships with the Local
Authorities as together, we continue to strengthen
Suffolk’s ability to deliver high quality outcomes.
Active Suffolk is committed to continual
improvement, and we have taken the time to
examine how we can better meet the needs
of the county by better understanding the
county’s diverse communities. Recognising
that we needed greater diversity on our board
to support us with this lived experience.
Working with Perrett Laver, the leading
international executive search firm, we have
appointed some outstanding leaders and
talent to our board and brought additional
diversity and vision which will continue to
drive Active Suffolk forward.
I was privileged to have been selected as the
new Director of Active Suffolk in 2021, and it is
an honour to be able to lead this exceptionally
capable and dynamic team. We have also
welcomed Laura Spooner as the Health and
Wellbeing Senior Development Officer and
we look forward to contributing to the team’s
efforts as they continue work hard to support
Suffolk’s communities and people.
I am confident that with resilience that Active
Suffolk’s staff have shown, this dynamic,
talented and committed team is able to face
any challenge thrown at them and we look
forward to enabling and facilitating the people
of Suffolk to start, continue or increase their
physical activity journey in 2022/23 and
ensure we all reap the benefits of strong
physical and mental health.
Gareth Davies,
Director of Active
Suffolk