At this year’s Active LDN conference, we welcomed nearly 300 guests to Emirates Stadium to focus on ‘Unlocking Spaces for a Healthier London’.
NHS Regional Director (London), Caroline Clarke, gave the first keynote of the day, which explored how physical activity is key to reducing health inequalities and supporting healthy communities. Following this, we heard from Arsenal in the Community, and its beneficiaries on their shared experiences of overcoming barriers to exercise, and how their involvement in the club has changed their lives. Our other keynotes included Andre de Jeu (ACES Europe), who discussed how Europe’s healthiest nations can inspire a vision to make London the healthiest city in the world, and parkrun’s Steve Camacho, who reflected on 20 years of parkrun and the movement it’s inspired.
Breakout sessions tackled key topics such as embedding public health in urban design, using data to address gaps, and fostering inclusion through creative interventions. Safeguarding emerged as a priority, with speakers highlighting the need for clear policies, robust training, and reimagining intimidating spaces to create safer, more active communities.
Active LDN 2024 Agenda
Tuesday 19 November 2024
The Emirates Stadium, Hornsey Road, London, N7 7AJ
09:00-09:30
Arrival, registration and morning refreshments
09:30-09:40
Welcome and opening remarks
Take your seat as we kick off a day of insight, collaboration and networking with a warm welcome from our host, sports presenter and commentator Charlotte Richardson.
London Sport CEO, Emily Robinson, will then set the scene and give an overview of what’s to come at Active LDN 2024.
09:40-10:10
Keynote
Caroline Clarke, Regional Director at the NHS, will provide our first keynote of the day, followed by questions from the audience. Caroline will discuss:
- The relationship between health inequalities and low physical activity levels
- The health protection benefits of physical activity
- The social determinants of health
- The concept of healthy environments/places/spaces
- New Government Health Mission and physical activity
- Development of NHS’s commitment to physical activity
- The Partnership with London Sport on Physical activity via the ‘London Health and Care Partnership’
10:10-10:40
Inspire session
Charlotte Richardson hosts a lively panel discussion with Arsenal in the Community staff and beneficiaries, discussing barriers to exercise and accessibility issues.
10:40-11:10
Keynote
The latest evidence from the Sport and Recreation Alliance shows that the UK ranks joint 12th out of 15 comparable European nations for levels of physical activity. The UK is also ranked as the third highest spender on healthcare costs caused by inactivity and only 9th in overall wellbeing. Andre de Jeu, ACES Europe board member, will shine a light on some of Europe’s healthiest nation and set out his vision to making London the healthiest city in Europe.
11:10-11:30
Break
11:30-12:30
Breakout sessions
Creating safe and active communities: Small-scale interventions for safer spaces
This session will showcase impactful, local actions that can empower women, girls and marginalised groups to move confidently in their communities.
Using digital solutions to activate London’s spaces for all age groups and abilities
Explore how leading digital solutions are being utilised to activate London’s places and spaces, with a focus on ensuring that we encourage a safe, inclusive and welcoming offer.
The role that schools can play in tackling inactivity and inequality by broadening access to their sports facilities outside of school hours
Hear first-hand the ways in which opening school facilities has begun to tackle inactivity and inequality across London.
12:30-13:30
Lunch
13:30-14:30
Breakout sessions
Increasing the use of non-traditional spaces: Overcoming the challenges and co-designing the solution
This workshop-style session will look at real-life barriers that restrict the use of non-traditional spaces and start to think about the solutions that will be needed to overcome such challenges.
The role of Local Authority Public Heath in making available and activating space for an active London
Find out how one London Local Authority Public Health department has championed and developed the use of environment and space to improve health and wellbeing and address health inequalities.
Safeguarding: A facilities guide to best practice
Join us to understand the importance of safeguarding and welfare of children, young people and adults in your facilities or spaces, and hear how to create an inclusive space for people to feel safe and welcome to participate in sport and physical activity.
14:30-14:50
Break
14:50-15:50
Breakout sessions
Creating inclusive spaces for Londoners
An interactive workshop session featuring prompts and resources to stimulate discussion around different areas relevant to creating inclusive spaces for London.
Skills required to activate London’s spaces
Join an expert-led discussion on the opportunities and challenges of utilising London’s space effectively – and what we as a sector need to do to take hold of these opportunities – as well as practical examples and methods for delivering effective activation which has got Londoners moving.
Using data and insight to unlock spaces for a healthier London
During this session, we’ll look at how the sector can tap into readily available data to help unlock spaces for sport and physical activity.
15:55-16:25
Keynote
parkrun’s Steve Camacho will close the day, reflecting on 20 years of the event, covering the journey, challenges and opportunities, before taking questions from the audience
16:25-16:30
Closing remarks
That’s a wrap! London Sport CEO Emily Robinson will share brief final thoughts at the close of Active LDN 2024.
16:30
End
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