Being physically active is one of the very best things we can do for our physical and mental health. It helps to prevent heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and a number of cancers as well as playing an important part in helping us maintain a healthy weight and reduces the risk of developing depression.
Physical activity and sport have a transformative effect on communities. They provide opportunities for people to connect with their neighbourhoods and come together in shared activities which inspire and motivate. Sport and physical activity are a powerful means of addressing isolation, building community cohesion and developing confidence
Actions
We are working to achieve our vision of a more active Scotland by:
- encouraging children and young people to get active through the 2026 Summer of Sport programme administered by SportScotland
- supporting a programme of major events (including sporting events) that deliver economic, social and cultural benefits to Scotland
- investing in sport and physical activity to help more people get active
- establishing the Active Scotland Delivery Group to oversee the delivery of the actions in our Active Scotland Delivery Plan and to focus on partnership working
- establishing the Active Scotland Development Group to provide a wider strategic approach drawing on the latest evidence and emerging priorities.
- providing an Actify platform with tools and resources for those who support people to engage in physical activity and sport
- funding the Changing Lives Through Sport and Physical Activity Programme to help transform lives
- focusing on promoting and encouraging walking as a way of getting people to be more active through our National Walking Strategy and working with paths for all
Background
We published the framework for physical activity for health in October 2024 which sets out actions to improve levels of physical activity at both national and local level. The approach in the framework helps public bodies ensure that the actions which they take to improve levels of physical activity are efficient, sustainable and support continuous improvement.
Our Active Scotland Outcomes Framework outlines Scotland's ambitions for sport and physical activity.
We work with our partners across all sectors to deliver our vision.
- sportscotland is the national agency for sport in Scotland and has a key role in helping to deliver an active Scotland where everyone benefits from sport
- Paths for All is a partnership of organisations committed to promoting walking for health and the development of multi-use path networks
- Scottish Natural Heritage encourages and supports people to be active outdoors
- Transport Scotland is committed to an Active Travel vision of enabling walking and cycling to be the most popular mode of travel for short, everyday journeys
- Education Scotland works with children and young people to challenge the existing inequity around access to sport and explore the gender stereotyping that can sometimes be a part of that
- Public Health Scotland is a national health board working to reduce health inequalities and improve health
- The Care Inspectorate supports health and social care professionals to provide more opportunities for older people in care to be more active
Contact
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Telephone: 0300 244 4000
Post:
Scottish Government
Active Scotland
Area 3J North
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ