Impact Report 2022-23
Introduction from Eve Dewsnap, Director
It was a great privilege to assume the role of Director Active Norfolk in April 2023 and I must acknowledge the exceptional leadership of Ben Jones over the preceding 9 years. As we now begin the 3rd year of our 5-year strategy – Getting Norfolk Moving – we have built on our mission to work with partners and communities to make being active the norm for the people of Norfolk. We have increased efforts to provide diverse and inclusive physical activity opportunities for all, enabling sustainable, healthy and active lives – notably through the continued growth in provision of holiday activities for children eligible for free schools meals through the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme, in partnership with Norfolk County Council.
Our focus is sharper than ever on tackling inequalities and reducing inactivity through our priority themes of:
- Improving physical and mental health and wellbeing
- Creating more active environments to enable greater opportunity to be active closer to home
- Ensuring children and young people have easy access to physical activity, supporting good physical literacy and positive health and wellbeing outcomes
- A place-based approach that responds to the needs of local communities, building strong, resilient and connected communities.
Our team has made huge progress establishing shared priorities and building capacity to ensure that physical activity is one of only two prevention priorities for Norfolk and Waveney’s Integrated Care Board. An example of the impact of this commitment has been the implementation of Active Norfolk and Waveney (Active NoW), an exercise referral programme which has initially focused on people with early symptoms of diabetes and hypertension and will expand to include falls prevention throughout 2023. Our place-based working with local authorities and numerous partners has enabled a greater emphasis on local collaboration and a customised approach for every area of Norfolk, ensuring our resources are acutely focused on those communities who can benefit most from more opportunities to be active.
