GREAT BRITISH WEEK OF SPORT
Saturday 19-Sunday 27 September 2020
The #KeepMovingSuffolk campaign is working alongside The Great British Week of Sport to inspire the nation to celebrate the power that sport and activity have on our mental, physical and social well-being.
The Great British Week of Sport runs in partnership with the European Week of Sport, showcasing the benefits of an active lifestyle across the continent. Each day has a specific theme to ensure a wide reach of the #BeActive message and the opportunity for a greater variety of people to take part – the week is for everyone, regardless of age, background or fitness level.
We hope it will unite and empower towards improving the health of Britain, following the Coronavirus pandemic and play a crucial role in the nation’s recovery.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN SUFFOLK
- Choose from the themed days below to find something you’d like to do
- Follow us on social media below
- Articles every day in the East Anglian Daily Times
- Follow the National campaign #BeActive
- Check out your local leisure provider for Fitness Day deals and offers (links below on Wednesday)
Follow the Great British Week of Sport national campaign
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SUFFOLK DURING THE GREAT BRITISH WEEK OF SPORT
SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER – WORLD UNITED
ONLINE CONTENT
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all had to change the way we do many things, and that includes sport and activity.
Throughout the lockdown and still today, thousands of people are enjoying working out using online resources and in Suffolk, we have some great instructors offering a range of opportunities.
Follow the link to some of our favourites.
SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER – STREET GAMES
CATCH 22 – SUFFOLK POSITIVE FUTURES
Suffolk Positive Futures aims to transform young people’s lives and make a significant impact on reducing crime and youth violence in local communities while promoting positive emotional wellbeing. Staff reach out to young people one by one within their community, at times when they need support the most.
During the lockdown, the programme had to move online, but we’re pleased to say that sessions have started again, and include football, street cricket and boxing sessions across the county.
Follow them on social media to find out where and when these free sessions will be taking place and get involved!
MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER – MINDFUL MONDAY
SUFFOLK MIND – MOVEMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH
Movement and good mental health go hand-in-hand!
Getting the right amount of movement for you each day will:-
- Help you sleep better
- Help you feel happier
- Lower your stress, anxiety or racing/upsetting thoughts
- Reduce your risk of depression
- Increase confidence, self-belief & self-esteem
- Give you more time to relax, reflect and daydream
- Provide new ways to connect with people
TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER – GO RED AND BE ACTIVE
BIKE BACK BETTER
Cycling is a ‘silver bullet’ to solve several twenty-first-century problems, such as air pollution, congestion, obesity and heart disease and is a crucial part of the recovery plans from the coronavirus crisis.
Already in Suffolk, over 400 people have signed up to the free Love to Ride programme, which makes it easy and fun for people to ride.
Register for Love to Ride and enjoy a free urban cycling skills webinar at 12 noon on 24 September for anyone who wants to ride comfortably and confidently on the road.
Qualified instructors will teach you the fundamental urban cycling skills, make sure your bike is roadworthy so you arrive at your destination smiling and stress-free. You will then unlock two Cycling Superpowers that allow you to communicate effectively with other road users and enjoy your ride.
BEAT THE BLUES AWAY
The Great British Week of Sport is partnering with Red Together today to bring the nation together by wearing red during your run, swim, cycle or favourite fitness activity.
Join the movement by sending us a picture using #RedTogether & #KeepMovingSuffolk
WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER – NATIONAL FITNESS DAY
MAKE YOUR RETURN TO FITNESS WITH CONFIDENCE
We know that many people have missed their local gym, pool or fitness class, so we want to help you to safely and confidently return.
The leisure industry has worked extensively with the government to introduce new cleaning measures and operating guidelines to ensure that everyone can safely return.
Get back to what you’ve missed!
Our fitness providers in Suffolk can’t wait to welcome you back, to help with your motivation, your fitness goals, strengthen your immunity and provide you with a great, safe, experience.
Follow the logo links to your local centre!
THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER – CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
SWIMMING AND SWIM LESSONS
Sport has the power to drive positive change and can be a great tool to support people of all ages and abilities to overcome challenges they may be facing.
Learning to swim is a great place to start.
Swimming is an excellent way to build fitness stamina, strengthen muscle, lose weight and it’s great for your mental health.
It’s also a vital life-skill and children just love the water.
We’re very lucky in Suffolk to have many high standard swimming facilities with excellent swimming lesson programmes and teachers.
Follow the logo links to your local centre to find out about swimming!
FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER – BE INCLUSIVE
DANCE FOR PARKINSON’S
DanceEast has a class programme which includes high-quality dance classes for those with Parkinson’s and their families, friends and carers – offered in partnership with the English National Ballet.
Using live music and dance, classes are designed to encourage creativity, rhythm, and use of voice. Proven to support people with Parkinson’s, these classes develop self-confidence and strength, whilst temporarily relieving some participants of their day-to-day symptoms.
DanceEast has also teamed up with Inside Out to provide classes which focus on improving mental health and wellbeing. Moving Minds takes place over zoom and creates a safe and supportive space for the participants to feel comfortable exploring movement and expressing themselves creatively.
#everyonecandance
SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER – WOMEN AND GIRLS
BECOME A ‘THIS GIRL CAN AMBASSADOR’
As part of the Great British Week of Sport, Active Suffolk is celebrating the success of our local ‘This Girl Can Ambassadors’, whilst also inviting more local women to get involved with the campaign.
Active Suffolk leads the local This Girl Can campaign, a national movement developed by Sport England which aims to bridge the gap between the disproportionate number of women participating in sport and physical activity compared to men. The campaign has grown tremendously over the years where it has supported nearly three million women to participate in sport and exercise through celebrating active females no matter their size, background or ability.
There are already over 40 local This Girl Can ambassadors who work to inspire other women to be more active and overcome barriers to participating in sport and physical activity across the county.
SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER – THE GREAT OUTDOORS
WALKING IN SUFFOLK
Suffolk has some of the best walking routes, coastlines and countryside in the UK.
So to celebrate the final day of The Great British Week of Sport, why not lace-up your trainers or boots and go for a walk.
There are some fantastic Suffolk Steps’ historic walks you can follow – or you can download the NHS walking App or just explore the great outdoors for yourself.
