Active Kent & Medway has welcomed new investment from Sport England through the Place Universal Offer, which will support place-based work in Ashford, Dartford, Maidstone and Folkestone & Hythe, helping more children, young people and families to be active.
The Place Universal Offer is part of Sport England’s long-term commitment to tackling inactivity and reducing inequalities by focusing on the places where people face the greatest barriers to being active. It supports Active Partnerships and local partners to work together in ways that reflect the needs, strengths and priorities of their communities.
Liz Davidson-Kennett, Active Partnership Director at Active Kent & Medway, said:
“We’re delighted that Kent is benefiting from Sport England’s Place Universal Offer. This investment allows us to work alongside local partners in Ashford, Dartford, Maidstone and Folkestone & Hythe, focusing on creating the conditions for more children, young people and families to be active in ways that work for their lives and communities.”
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director, Partnerships and Place, Sport England said:
“We want everyone, no matter where they live or who they are, to have the chance to be active and healthy. To do this, we’re focusing on places, towns, cities, and communities, where people face the biggest challenges. We are proud to be working with 30 more Active Partnerships and their local communities, in every corner of the country, to break down the barriers to physical activity so that everyone has equal access to a more active life.”
The Place Universal Offer recognises that where someone lives plays a significant role in how active they are. By taking a place-based approach, it supports partners across local government, health, education, the voluntary and community sector, and other services to work together to address the wider factors that influence activity levels.
This work supports the ambitions of Uniting the Movement, Sport England’s 10-year strategy to tackle inequalities and ensure that everyone, regardless of background or postcode, has the opportunity to live an active life. It also aligns with Active Kent & Medway’s Move Together strategy, which places collaboration, local leadership and community-led solutions at the heart of increasing physical activity across Kent and Medway.
Further details on how partners will be working together in Ashford, Dartford, Maidstone and Folkestone & Hythe will be shared as the programme develops.
Published: March 2026
