Leaders from London Sport, Sport England and Brent Active Together came together this week to see first-hand how local partnerships are helping to create more opportunities for people to be active across Brent.
The visit highlighted the impact of Brent Active Together, a community-led partnership working to tackle physical inactivity by bringing together residents, community organisations, public services and local leaders to co-design solutions that reflect the needs and priorities of local people.
Representatives visited local venues and met with community partners, hearing how collaboration across sectors is helping to break down barriers to physical activity, strengthen community connections and improve health and wellbeing outcomes.
The visit comes shortly after the announcement that Brent has secured almost £1.6 million through Sport England’s Place Expansion programme, building on previous investment and supporting the next phase of work across neighbourhoods including St Raphael’s, Church End and Stonebridge.
Brent Active Together focuses on supporting women and girls, families and older adults to become more active through initiatives that are shaped by local insight and delivered by trusted community organisations.
By working alongside residents and local partners, the programme is helping to create sustainable opportunities for movement and physical activity that fit naturally into everyday life.
The visit provided an opportunity to see how a place-based approach can deliver meaningful change by putting communities at the centre of decision-making and ensuring that investment responds directly to local needs.
Nicky Barlow, Senior Development Manager for Brent of London Sport, said:
“This weeks visit demonstrated exactly why place-based working is so important. The solutions to inactivity already exist within our communities; our role is to listen, connect people and create the conditions for those solutions to thrive.
Brent Active Together is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when residents, community organisations, local authorities and national partners come together behind a shared ambition. We’re proud to support this work and excited about what the next phase of investment can achieve for local people”.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director Partnerships and Place, Sport England, said:
“The lesson from Brent is simple – lasting impact happens when communities lead and systems change. What we’re seeing here isn’t just more opportunities to be active – it’s stronger connections, greater confidence and healthier communities. That’s why Sport England is investing in places and not just programmes. By backing local partnerships and local leadership, we’re helping create the conditions for change that can be felt far beyond sport. Brent is showing what’s possible, and its success will help shape how we support communities across London and England in the years ahead.”
Notes to editors
About Brent Active Together
Brent Active Together is a place-based partnership bringing together local residents, community organisations, public services and strategic partners to tackle physical inactivity and improve health and wellbeing outcomes across Brent.
The partnership focuses on supporting women and girls, families and older adults in neighbourhoods where inequalities are greatest, helping people access enjoyable and sustainable opportunities to move more in their daily lives.
Working with Brent Active Together
Brent Active Together welcomes collaboration with local organisations, community groups, funders and partners who share the ambition of creating a more active and healthier Brent.
To find out more about Brent Active Together or London Sport’s place-based work, please contact:
NICKY BARLOW SENIOR – DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – BRENT
Tel: 07508 903725
Email: [email protected]
