Sport & Active Recreation

The government wants to help build a healthier nation by tackling high levels of inactivity, and by making sure that the sport and physical activity sector thrives for future generations. This strategy sets out how the government will work with the sector to achieve these aims by ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to be active.

Guidance to help organisations understand the design principles for developing projects and services to tackle inactivity. Aims to help practitioners design projects and services that effectively target and support inactive people to get active. Sport England 2016

This provides ways the sport and physical activity sector can make a difference and help people with long term health conditions be more active. Includes resources and case studies with more information and inspiration from good practice. The Richmond Group of Charities, The National Lottery and Sport England 2022

A Community Sport Hub is a collective of local sports clubs & other community organisations that come together to improve the contribution that sport & physical activity has on a community. They support and empower local people to improve sport & physical activity in communities across Scotland. You can find your local Community Sport Hub here.

A half day workshop explains why daily walking plus strength and balance activity provide the key to active older age. Walk Leaders will learn how to do simple Strength and Balance exercises that can be introduced to walkers and on health walks. Each delegate will receive a set of cue cards and 5 leaflets. This course can be delivered for groups of up to 15 Walk Leaders online.

A collaborative paper highlighting the positive contribution of physical activity across COSLA’s policy areas, the National Performance Framework and Scotland’s public health priorities. Draws on evidence to illustrate the direct and indirect benefits that contribute towards multiple outcomes and priorities simply by enabling people to be more physically active. COSLA, Public Health Scotland and sportscotland 2021

Plan setting out actions that The Scottish Government and partners are undertaking, working together to encourage and support people in Scotland to be more active, more often. Scottish Government 2018

Brings together the key policy approaches to improving the uptake of walking and cycling in Scotland for travel. It has been produced collaboratively by Transport Scotland and key delivery partners, with input from Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) and local authorities. Transport Scotland 2020

Report on Scotland's six public health priorities. The priorities reflect the issues believed most important to focus on to improve the health of the nation. A foundation for the systemic change needed to achieve real and tangible improvements in the nation’s health and are intended to provide a focus for our collective efforts. Scottish Government and COSLA 2018

WHO global action plan and framework of effective and feasible policy actions to increase physical activity at all levels. Provides global leadership and stronger regional and national coordination, and advocates for the need for a whole-of-society response to achieve a paradigm shift in both supporting and valuing all people being regularly active, according to ability and across the life course. World Health Organisation 2018

This is where you will find further information on key insights and research that has been conducted throughout the course of the campaign, including behaviour change theory and Covid-19 insights. You can also find the research and insights which contributed to the original development and shaping of the campaign. Movement for ALL and Sport England 2019 – 2022

Movement for All aims to support people with long-term conditions to become more physically active in a way that suits them, and to collate and share lessons learned and good practice between organisations. This report summarises the work undertaken and supported by Movement for All. What they achieved – presents its overall impact. What they learned – explores key insights, learning and good practice recommendations from the programme. What next – examines next steps. The Richmond Group of Charities and Sport England 2022

This edition of Health Matters focuses on the benefit of physical activity for the prevention and management of long-term conditions in adults. Public Health England 2020

The communications framework provides guidance for the UK and devolved government administrations on how to communicate the UK chief medical officers’ physical activity guidelines to key professionals and practitioners who are required to know, understand and apply the guidelines in practice. UK Government 2023

Infographic explaining the physical activity needed for general health benefits for adults and older adults. UK Government 2019

The International Society for Physical Activity and Health provides an overview of best evidence which can be used to advocate, inform and lead physical activity policy and discussion. A call to action for everyone, everywhere, including professionals, academics, civil society and decision makers, to embed physical activity in national and subnational policies. International Society for Physical Activity and Health 2020

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has a number of clinical pathways that highlight the role of physical activity in preventing and managing illness.

This analysis reinforces the importance of physical inactivity as a risk factor for non-communicable disease (NCD) in Scotland. It uses data to model the estimated burden of disease attributed to inactivity related to ischaemic heart disease (IHD) at multiple levels – national, health board and by local authority area. Public Health Scotland 2023

A report from the Chief Medical Officers in the UK on the amount and type of physical activity people should be doing to improve their health. UK Government 2019

Accessible evidence-based digital tool to help healthcare professionals find the latest condition specific evidence on the benefits of physical activity so that they may support people with health conditions become more active.

Infographic summarising what advice healthcare professionals should give to people living with long term conditions about physical activity including symptom specific considerations.

An evidence-based systems-wide approach to increasing levels of physical activity in Scotland for policy makers and practitioners. Includes a wide range of actions across multiple sectors and settings which will allow the necessary changes to be made to help get more people moving actively and lead to more positive health outcomes. Public Health Scotland 2022

WHO’s first dedicated assessment of global progress on country implementation of policy recommendations of the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA) 2018- 2030. Presents an estimate of the cost to health systems of not taking action to improve physical activity levels and reinforces the urgency to position physical activity as a shared, whole-of-government priority, and to strengthen coordination and partnerships to promote physical activity. WHO 2022

An advocacy tool designed to provide Scotland with an overview of physical activity prevalence, surveillance, research productivity and policy. World Health Organisation 2022

A global organisation consisting of physical activity researchers, epidemiologists, public health policy makers and practitioners that catalogues and analyses global data on physical activity and health.

The supplementary tables provide breakdowns of a range of indicators from the Scottish Health Survey by age group, deprivation, income and presence of long-term conditions. The tables highlight adult physical activity levels by longstanding limiting condition. The Scottish Government 2022

Health and factors relating to health of people living in Scotland. Findings on activity levels and muscle strengthening activity among adults. Breakdown on adult physical activity by Scottish Index of Multiple deprivation Index (SIMD. The Scottish Government 2022

This programme helps practitioners understand more about how to use physical activity or sport to achieve a range of outcomes. Includes: A short course - a free online course of self-directed study for those based in Scotland suited to those who may have a part time or volunteer role in using physical activity or sport to make a difference. A certificated training course - 3 days of training over 3 months with work-based learning. This full course is particularly suited to those working full time in this field, including both managers and practitioners. It is currently free to those based in Scotland.

A half day workshop that explains why walking, plus Strength and Balance provide the key to active older age. Participants will spend time learning how to encourage mobility and activity and build Strength and Balance into daily care. This course is delivered by qualified trainers who have extensive experience in health and social care.

Half day practical training course for Walk Leaders and staff/volunteers involved in leading outdoor activities. This training aims to increase confidence in supporting the inclusion of disabled people in outdoor activities such as Health Walks or other low level activities. The focus of this course is on ability rather than disability, and the aim is to help you to influence and deliver good practice, to communicate effectively and to find out where to go for further information. The course is delivered by experienced trainers from Scottish Disability Sport.

A half-day practical training course for Health Walk Leaders and Coordinators who would like to increase their knowledge and skills to deliver walks that are safe and enjoyable for people living with dementia.

This course is for Health Walk Leaders and Coordinators who would like more knowledge and skills in leading welcoming and more inclusive Health Walks for people of all abilities. This course aims to increase participants confidence in supporting the inclusion of people with disabilities, impairments and long-term conditions in Health Walks. It also aims to help participants to influence and deliver good practice, to communicate effectively, and to find out where to go for further information or support. The course is delivered by expert trainers from Scottish Disability Sport.

This course enables volunteers and staff to lead safe, effective and enjoyable Health Walks in a community setting as part of a Health Walk provider. This course can be delivered for groups of up to 15 online.

This learning hub is suitable for anyone who has an interest in understanding health inequalities in Scotland and the steps you can take to help reduce them. You will focus on understanding the link between discrimination, inequality, and health Inequalities. This will provide you with a strong foundation knowledge of the subject matter.

The aim of this learning is to support anyone who has a role in encouraging physical activity, and those working directly in physical activity to encourage and enable people to be more active. This includes those working in health and social care, leisure and the third sector.

The MAP of Health Behaviour Change Learning Programme aims to increase capability and capacity in all health and care staff to provide psychologically informed behaviour change support to the people they care for.

Population Specialism Professional Standards Qualifications & Degrees. These outline the minimum knowledge, skills and behaviours required by practitioners involved in the support and delivery of physical activity, exercise and behaviour change for adults who are inactive, at high(er) risk of developing or living with one or more long term conditions. and with disabled people.

CIMSPA Endorsed Continuing Professional Development opportunities in obesity/diabetes • chronic respiratory disease • long-term neurological conditions • cardiac disease • falls prevention • stroke • mental health • back pain.

Provides guidance for the UK and devolved government administrations on how to communicate the UK chief medical officers’ physical activity guidelines to key professionals and practitioners who are required to know, understand and apply the guidelines in practice. UK Government 2023

Five themes that influence the experiences of physical activity for those with long-term health conditions. Guidance for the health, sport and physical activity sector to better support people with health conditions become more active. Sport England Sheffield Hallam University and the National Centre for Sport & Exercise Medicine (NCSEM) 2023

A set of professionally developed and evidenced based standards to assist the physical activity referral sector to develop, commission and deliver services in Scotland. The standards are aimed primarily at physical activity referral providers, as well as staff across health and social care, who have a key role in referral and commissioning of physical activity referral services. Public Health Scotland 2022

An engaging platform featuring more than 7,000 inclusive sessions and a range of virtual workouts, hints and tips, and has been co-produced with disabled people.

A series of short physical activity videos, to help people with (multiple) long term conditions get active in the way that works for them, from the charities behind We Are Undefeatable.

A wide range of accessible and inclusive videos tailored for people with (multiple) health conditions available via YouTube.

Physical activity campaign aimed at people with (multiple) long term health conditions. Website & campaign resources including leaflets and posters that can be printed and distributed at locations including health and social care settings and leisure facilities.

Age Scotland offers community groups and services in Scotland free multi-media games resources that encourage and enable regular movement for strength and balance. The service includes taster game sessions and workshops and kit for groups/services to use the resources directly.

Sport Scotland is the national agency for sport in Scotland. Works alongside other agencies to deliver an active Scotland where more people are more active more often. Funded by Scottish Government and the National Lottery and report through Scottish Ministers to the Scottish Parliament. Develops and strengthens partnerships and collaborations across the public, voluntary and private sectors. Supports the delivery programmes in communities which addresses the barriers people face so everyone has the opportunity to get involved in sport and physical activity.

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code provides information about where you can go and what you can do to be active outdoors. This is known as Scottish access rights. Scottish access rights apply to hills and moors, forests and woods, beaches and the coast, rivers and lochs, parks and some types of farmland. Access rights include things like walking, cycling, climbing, horse-riding, kayaking, swimming and watching wildlife. Nature Scot

The National Planning Framework (NPF) is a long term plan for Scotland that sets out where development and infrastructure is needed. A long term plan looking to 2045 that guides spatial development, sets out national planning policies, designates national developments and highlights regional spatial priorities. It is part of the development plan, and so influences planning decisions across Scotland. Scottish Government 2023

A strategy from sport scotland outlining the vision for an active Scotland where everyone benefits from sport. Sport For Life sets out the assets available to Scottish sport and the approach we can take, working with partners, to help everyone benefit from sport - even people who don't take part in it.

The National Performance Framework sets out a vision for national wellbeing in Scotland – it is Scotland's wellbeing framework. It sets an overall purpose and vision for Scotland. It highlights the broad National Outcomes that support the purpose and measures how well Scotland is progressing towards those outcomes. Scottish Government 2018

Evidence-based public health recommendations for children, adolescents, adults and older adults on the amount of physical activity (frequency, intensity and duration) required to offer significant health benefits and mitigate health risks. World Health Organisation 2020

CIMSPA Endorsed Continuing Professional Development opportunities in obesity/diabetes • chronic respiratory disease • long-term neurological conditions • cardiac disease • falls prevention • stroke • mental health • back pain.

ALISS is a national digital programme enabling people and professionals to find and share information on resources, services, groups, and support in their local communities and online. ALISS can help you find information about resources like activities that offer opportunities for getting more active and for getting outdoors (e.g., sports clubs, community gardens).

The Actify platform is a free digital tool that enables sport and physical activity organisations to create and host digital content, learn from one another, and support their audiences.

Advice and apps to support you to become more active, incorporates physical activity behaviour change tools. Couch to 5k is a running programme for absolute beginners. Active 10 App is a motivational tool for increasing your daily steps.

Inclusive physical activity project transforming attitudes and perceptions towards disabled people and physical activity. Provides disabled people with empowering and supportive tools and resources.

Designed by leading experts in ageing and health. Incorporates CMO Guidelines for increasing strength and balance in the adult and older adult population. Printable take-home leaflets for adults and a follow-along YouTube exercise video. Provides signage for health and care settings to promote supported and self-led strength and balance activity​.