Health and Wellbeing of Adults News – September 2026
Active Kent & Medway's Conference 2026
Bookings are OPEN for our 2026 Conference taking place on Tuesday 13 October 2026, 9:30 to 15:30 at the Kent Event Centre, Detling, ME14 3JF.
Our keynote speaker is Andy Taylor, CEO, Active Partnerships National Organisation (APNO), the national charity that connects and supports a network of 42 Active Partnerships across England.
NEW for 2026! A panel of experts and advocates will share insights, lived experience and practical advice to help make sport and physical activity more inclusive for all. There will also be a choice of bite-sized briefings on key topics, as well as the opportunity to network with other delegates throughout the day. Please note, bookings close 25 September 2026.
Physical Activity Spectrum and Guidlines
Move Consulting‘s Physical Activity Spectrum animation is a practical resource designed to create greater clarity and consistency around what we mean by physical activity. Through their work, they identified a recurring challenge: the language used to describe physical activity was not always clear or consistent. This highlighted the need for a resource that could help professionals and the public better understand the different ways people can be active. The following film helps show how different forms of movement relate to one another and reinforces one simple message: Every Move Matters.
The UK’s Chief Medical Officers have refreshed the Physical Activity Guidelines, with stronger evidence than ever that regular movement, no matter how small, brings significant physical and mental health benefits. The message is clear: any activity is better than none, and more is better still. The guidelines cover all stages of life, including children and young people, adults, older adults, disabled people and women during pregnancy and after birth. They reinforce the message that building activity into everyday routines can help improve health and wellbeing.
Everyday Active
Everyday Active is Active Kent & Medway’s flagship campaign helping more people to be more active in their everyday life. The website, www.everydayactivekent.org.uk is central to the campaign. It promotes activities offered by partners countywide and provides support and resources for health professionals, social prescribers, One You advisers and other partners to have meaningful and productive conversations about physical activity.
FREE Everyday Active Workshop
For anyone wanting to improve their knowledge and understanding of the benefits of physical activity, to feel confident about having conversations with others to help get more people, more active across Kent and Medway.
“Very useful session. Everyday Active is a great resource. I will definitely use it when speaking with people about becoming more active.” Attendee
Join us online for our next free workshop: Tuesday 10 November 2026, 14:00 – 15:00.
Become an Everyday Active Champion
We’re seeking volunteer champions in Maidstone and Sevenoaks to help local residents move more, every day.
As an Everyday Active Champion, you’ll connect residents with free or low-cost ways to be active; keep your community’s webpage up to date (training provided!); share Everyday Active resources in your area; join a supportive network of Champions across Kent and Medway. There are no set hours, just your enthusiasm, local knowledge, and a bit of time to make a real difference. Interested or know someone who might be? Please contact Yasmin at yasmin.hosken@kent.gov.uk
Forever Active Kent Service
Forever Active Kent Service, co-ordinated by Kent County Council (KCC) and Active Kent & Medway, is designed to support older adults to become more active, confident and connected.
We caught up with two organisations who received grants to deliver activity programmes for adults aged 50+ in their local communities. From gym-based circuit classes to chair-based exercise and yoga, participants improved their physical health, mental wellbeing and social connections through accessible, inclusive activities designed to help them stay active for longer.
Accessible Transport Schemes
Evidence from Sport England and Activity Alliance shows that disabled people are almost twice as likely to be physically inactive as non-disabled people, with around four in ten doing less than 30 minutes of activity a week. Many disabled people want to be more active but face additional challenges like accessing suitable transport to get to local activities.
Transport restrictions shouldn’t stop anyone from being active. We’ve brought together a list of accessible community transport schemes plus some practical support to help disabled people and people living with limited mobility to travel with confidence, making it easier to get to activity sessions and enjoy the physical and mental benefits of moving more.
Campaigns and Programmes
Sofa to Saddle
Sofa to Saddle is a fun and free way to gradually get more active. Across eight weeks, the app-based programme, powered by Lloyds Bank and British Cycling, will help you to start riding your bike more often, with confidence and enjoyment.
Follow this link to find out more
Move for 10 Challenge
This Girl Can has launched Move for 10 challenge to encourage women and girls to move for 10 minutes, 10 times per month. It has been created to support more women to experience the feel-good benefits of moving more, by making activity feel simple, flexible and achievable.
Follow this link to find out more
Strong Woman Challenge
The British Heart Foundation is launching the Strong Woman Challenge from 1 October to 31 October 2026. The strength-building challenge is for all fitness levels and features video demos and optional weekly workouts that you can complete at home.
Follow this link to find out more
Release the pressure
Release the pressure is a free service for anyone who just wants to talk. We invite local organisations working in the sport and physical activity sector to get behind this important campaign in the hope that together, we can go some way in helping those who need it most.
Follow this link to find out more
Kent & Medway Recovery & Wellbeing College Courses
The Kent & Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust Recovery and Wellbeing College provides free health-related courses to anyone over 18 years old. The courses are open to anyone who wishes to improve and support their own or others’ wellbeing and learn new skills.
Follow this link to find out more
World Mental Health Day
Join NHS Talking Therapies for World Mental Health Day at a series of events across Kent and Medway on Friday 9 October 2026 in collaboration with Mental Health Matters, Live Well and Kent & Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. Events will showcase the support available for both service users and professionals while encouraging organisations to work more collaboratively and strengthen local mental health networks.
Other News
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you
If there’s anything in this newsletter you’d like to discuss, then just get in touch and one of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible. Please email: activekent@kent.gov.uk
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