What is Active Hastings?

What is it?

Active Hastings works closely with local providers of physical activity to give you easy, fun ways to get your everyday dose of physical activity. It only takes 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity for adults and 60 a day for children to get fitter, healthier and happier. You can even break it down into 10 minute slots!

We all know that being more active is good for us; it reduces the risk of major illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer and lowers your risk of early death by up to 30%. It is also great for our mental health; boosting energy, mood and sleep quality as well as reducing your risk of stress, depression and dementia. But we also know that it can be hard to get started, so we're here to help with that.

In Hastings we are lucky to have fantastic instructors delivering 100s of amazing sessions a week from walks in the park to Zumba and netball to tai chi. So, whether you're a fitness freak or a couch potato, from 2 to 102, we've got something for you. 

Check out what's on offer:

• Active Hastings activity listings

Want to know more about the benefits of being active? Have a look at what the NHS has to say about it: Benefits of exercise

Active Hastings Projects

As well as working with partners to bring you a wide range of activities, the team are constantly busy working behind the scenes to make Hastings a more active town. Here are some examples of the projects we are currently working on:   

GP Link Programme

The GP Link Programme is a partnership project between Active Hastings and Hastings and St Leonards Primary Care Network. The Active Hastings GP Link Worker is helping to create a link between the NHS and the community; helping guide patients into being more physically active by creating a support system into exercise and helping them take control of their own health.

As well as working one to one with patients, the project also aims to identify gaps in the local physical activity offer for people with long term health conditions, and to create new opportunities to fill those gaps.

Find out more about the GP Link Worker's role at GP Link Workers

Stronger for Life

Active Hastings is working in partnership with Active Sussex to increase the provision of community strength and balance sessions for people aged 65 and over. The project aims to raise awareness of the benefits of being physically active in later life and for those living with long term health conditions, and to support older people to increase their activity levels and 'Live Longer Better'.

Opening School Facilities

Opening School Facilities investment from the Department for Education supports schools to open their sporting facilities for local community and school users outside of the normal school day.
 
Active Hastings has been working with Active Sussex to support local schools to access this funding, enabling them to open their facilities and give children, young people and the wider community more opportunities to be physically active outside of school hours.

Schools in Hastings and Rother have used this funding to purchase equipment to deliver new or additional clubs and to pay for activity providers to run new clubs.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund project

Active Hastings is working alongside other partners to deliver the UK Shared Prosperity Fund project in Broomgrove. Active Hastings have recruited a part time physical activity worker for Broomgrove, who is busy involving the local community in events and weekly activities. They also act as the strategic link between a range of physical activity partners and providers, to ensure funding and activity is directed where it is most needed.

Workforce Development Programme

Since 2019, Active Hastings has been working in partnership with Active Sussex to support the development of a diverse and skilled workforce (paid and voluntary) that have the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of different people within our community. We want a workforce that can ensure all people are empowered to take part in sport and physical activity and are given the best possible experience.

The sport and physical activity workforce are made up of volunteers, coaches and the professional workforce - paid professionals who are employed or self-employed either full-time or part-time.

In order to support the development of the local workforce, Active Hastings runs regular training courses, delivered by trusted delivery partners such as Activity Alliance, StreetGames UK and Sports Coach UK. Individual training grants are also available for coaches and instructors who wish to take part in specialised training to help them support more people to be physically active. Find out more about our training grants

Keep up to date with training opportunities and more by joining our Sports Coach and Physical Activity Instructor Forum on Facebook

The Active Hastings Partnership

Active Hastings coordinates the local Community Physical Activity Network, which brings together schools, sport clubs, National Governing Bodies of Sport, health organisations, the voluntary sector and the private sector to work together, unblock barriers to participation and improve the local sport and physical activity delivery system.

To find out more about the Active Hastings Partnership see the Active Hastings Partnership and Strategy Page.

If you would like to join the Active Hastings Partnership, please email us.

The Active Hastings Volunteer Network

The Active Hastings Volunteer Network is the first step for anyone of any age, to start their volunteer journey in sport and physical activity. The network exists to be a one-stop shop, where volunteers can sign up and be sent information on local opportunities and available training.

To find out more about the volunteer network see our "I want to volunteer in sport" page.

Find out more

As well as the projects listed above, we are working with a wide range of agencies to increase the physical activity levels of their service users. We are currently working with partners such as Orbit and Southern Housing, Change Grow Live, Oasis, Active Sussex, Hastings Voluntary Action, StreetGames UK and Parkinsons UK.

If you are part of an organisation or community group who would like to work in partnership with Active Hastings to increase physical activity levels, please email activehastings@hastings.gov.uk.