Physical activity and sport

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:

• 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
• working with football organisations to ensure the sport is safe, inclusive and helping to strengthen communities
• funding the Changing Lives Through Sport and Physical Activity Programme to help transform lives through the Changing Lives Through Sport and Physical Activity Fund to support projects that intentionally use the power of sport to effect positive change in local communities
• 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.
• increasing women and girls engagement in sport and physical activity through the Women and Girls in Sport Advisory Board and Sporting Equality Fund
• providing an Actify platform with tools and resources for those who support people to engage in physical activity and sport

Background

Our Active Scotland Outcomes Framework sets out the shared vision and goals which have shaped the approach we are taking to supporting and enabling people in Scotland to be more physically active. It is supported by our Physical Activity Delivery Plan, ‘A More Active Scotland’. 

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
• NHS 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