Your weekly physical activity bulletin

11 February 2025

We are working towards improving the health and wellbeing of the nation through sport, exercise and physical activity. For more information on our work visit our website or follow us on X @NCSEM_PAnews

Why junior parkrun is a game-changer for children’s mental health

For Children’s Mental Health Week 2025, parkrun is diving into why junior parkrun, and being active, can be life-changing for children’s mental wellbeing and sharing some incredible stories of the difference it makes.

The connection between physical activity and mental well-being is no secret, and junior parkrun is proving to be a great way to boost children’s happiness and confidence. With over 490 events, supporting hundreds of thousands of children across the UK, Ireland, and Australia, parkrun is helping children build resilience, self-esteem, and a love of movement that lasts a lifetime.

Sustrans and Halfords to launch report into children’s walking and cycling

In early 2025 Sustrans will launch the first ever Children’s Walking and Cycling Index, designed to understand the behaviours, barriers and attitudes affecting children’s cycling in the UK.

This report, sponsored by Halfords, follows on from the adult Walking and Cycling Index which has been in circulation for over ten years.

It is designed to combat rising children’s obesity and mental health issues linked to isolation and lack of independence.

Out Velo bringing the LGBTQ+ cycling community together

Here’s a look at how the inclusive cycling club Out Velo is bringing people together across the UK to enjoy cycling adventures both in person, and online.

While being LGBTQ+ led, Out Velo are also open to those who don’t identify themselves as LGBTQ+ to join them too. 

The organisation run road cycling weekends and day rides across the UK, often in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, while they also organise group trips abroad.

Olympic weightlifting champion Emily Campbell and key Government health adviser Paul Corrigan announced for Active Uprising 2025

Emily Campbell and Paul Corrigan have been announced as headline speakers for Active Uprising 2025, as the full lineup is confirmed for ukactive’s flagship conference. 

The Team GB weightlifting champion and the health adviser tasked with shaping the Government’s 10-year health plan will address an audience of leaders from across health, fitness, politics, business and sport at the QE II Centre in Westminster on Thursday 6 March. 

Following her memorable appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and her work as an ambassador for National Fitness Day, Emily will discuss her personal journey and her ambitions for the future of health and fitness in our communities. 

Impact of GOGA continues to be felt across the country

Thanks to funding support from Sport England and London Marathon Foundation, Get Out Get Active (GOGA) is still making a positive impact across areas of the country, from the North East to the South West. 

When 7 in 10 participants have continued to be active outside of a GOGA activity, it’s easy to understand how helping organisations and communities across the UK has supported the least active disabled and non-disabled people to become and maintain being active. 

New report highlights importance of Scotland's urban greenspaces

A new Outdoor Recreation report from NatureScot’s Scotland’s People and Nature Survey (SPANS) 2023/24 reveals that 61% of Scots engage in outdoor recreation at least weekly, with 17% venturing out daily. It also highlights the importance of urban greenspaces in outdoor recreation.

The survey found that 41% of outdoor visits in Scotland take place in a park or other open greenspace in an urban area, making them the most popular destination. Woodland and forest visits follow closely at 39%. Young people (16-34 years) and residents of the 10% most derived areas are more likely to use urban greenspaces, reinforcing their importance in ensuring equitable access to nature. However, residents from the most deprived areas are less likely to engage in outdoor activities, pointing to a need for more inclusive policies and investments in local parks.

'Premier League Primary Stars is a fantastic tool to talk about mental health'

Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott went back to school to launch brand new Premier League Primary Stars teaching resources which are designed to help children boost their self-esteem.

He attended a special classroom session delivered by coaches from Arsenal in the Community at Christ the King Catholic Primary School in Islington to talk about his experiences in overcoming setbacks in his own career and to help the pupils discuss resilience and positive mental health.

The Building Self-Esteem and Self-Esteem resources are two of more than 650 English, PSHE, PE and Maths resources that are available for teachers to encourage children to be active and develop essential life skills.

The weekly physical activity bulletin in a summary of news stories that appear across the physical activity sector. The National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine is not responsible for the content of external sites.

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