On Tuesday 13 October 2026, the Active Kent & Medway annual conference welcomed over 180 representatives from health, leisure, local council, voluntary, sport and physical activity sectors at the Kent Event Centre, Detling. Continuing our support of the county’s strategy for sport and physical activity Move Together, launched in 2023, the theme of this year’s conference was ‘Move Together for Place, Partnerships, Purpose’.
From our thought-provoking keynote speaker to expert panel discussions and afternoon briefing sessions, the event was packed with energy and ideas. Delegates were encouraged to keep active throughout the day, with the help of Natasha’s 5-minute movement breaks and the Everyday Active zone.
Liz Davidson-Kennett, our Active Partnership Director welcomed delegates to the event before handing over to Andy Taylor, CEO Active Partnerships National Organisation, who spoke about the importance of place-based working, collaboration and creating the conditions for change within our local communities. To help bring this to life, we invited local partners to narrate ‘The Story of Place’, an opportunity to share their personal experiences of place-based working across Kent, what it really asks of us and how we can apply these learnings elsewhere.
New for 2026 was our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion expert panel, bringing together voices from across the sector to share insights, lived experience and practical advice to help make sport and physical activity more inclusive for all. We welcomed representatives from Diversity House, Activity Alliance, Kent Cricket Foundation, Thrive By The Sea CIC, and NHS Kent & Medway Forum who took part in Q&A sessions with Rob Smith, our conference host.
In the afternoon a series of briefing sessions took place, facilitated by individuals and organisations who are making a real difference and driving change through sport and physical activity. Representatives from Head in the Game, David Lock Associates, Thrive By The Sea CIC, Active Kent & Medway and CIMSPA shared practical advice, guidance and resources with delegates.
“It was fantastic to see so many partners come together to share learning, spark new ideas and strengthen relationships. Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed and helped shape the conversations throughout the day. Together, we are creating the conditions for more people across Kent and Medway to lead active, healthier lives, and I am excited about what we can achieve next.” Liz Davidson-Kennett, Active Partnership Director
What Delegates Told Us:
“Great energy in the room, and some really interesting conversations.”
“I attended the event again this year and it did not disappoint. Lots of fantastic insight. Fantastic speakers and ambassadors.”
“Thank you to the Active Kent & Medway team for a brilliant conference and opportunity to meet with some great people, and for having inclusion at the heart of what you do.”
“My main takeaway was the breadth of partners in the room. Liz Davidson-Kennett and the team have clearly played a key role in ensuring that they have maintained, developed and built new relationships with anyone who can support their mission.”
“It was a fantastic opportunity to network, promote our initiatives and connect with other passionate leaders across the health, leisure, and voluntary sectors. We left feeling inspired and energised for the work ahead.”
“Great conference, great sessions, well done team!”
“Great day and really well organised. What a great team to pull this altogether and attract such a fab group of people. Thoroughly enjoyed today and really lovely to catch up with some familiar faces outside of the laptop!”
“What a productive Active Kent & Medway conference it was, meeting many nice people and creating opportunities for healthier communities.”
“Honoured to be part of the ‘Story of Place’, being given the opportunity to talk about the incredible journey we are on in Swale and how we’ve seen firsthand is that taking the time to understand local needs, bringing partners together around a shared purpose and creating conditions for success is not a delay to progress. It IS progress.”
