Blog: Making Physical Activity Inclusive for All

‘Now is the Time’ – the theme of National Inclusion Week 2025 – a powerful reminder that inclusion isn’t a one-off initiative, but something we must embed into everything we do, every day.

As Health, Equality and Inclusion Officer at Active Kent & Medway, this theme resonates deeply with my personal and professional mission. Through my own lived experience as someone with ADHD, PCOS, and a multicultural background, I’ve seen first-hand how diversity and inclusion are often missing from everyday spaces, especially in physical activity. Growing up in Kent, I rarely saw people who looked like me or shared similar experiences in sport and wellness settings.

Before joining Active Kent & Medway, I worked in the NHS in occupational therapy and in mental health for SEL Mind, supporting people with complex needs to live healthier, more independent lives. These roles deepened my understanding of how physical activity can be a powerful tool for wellbeing—but only when it’s truly accessible.

According to the latest statistics, almost 20% of Kent’s residents report a condition that limits daily activities; around 10% claim disability-related benefits; over 40% of adults live with a long-term condition, and around 25% have multiple conditions.

These figures aren’t just statistics…they represent real people who face barriers to accessing physical activity every single day.

Now is the Time to LISTEN

Through my site visits across Kent and Medway, I’ve been privileged to hear powerful stories from the heart of our local communities:

• At HiKent in Tonbridge, I learned how loud environments and communication barriers prevent people with hearing loss from accessing mainstream fitness opportunities.
• At Kent Association for the Blind, I discovered the expertise that is available to make our physical activity spaces more inclusive for visually impaired people.
• At Diversity House in Sittingbourne, it was clear that vital community activities can be sustained even with minimal funding, creating spaces where diverse groups feel truly supported.
• At Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, I witnessed the fantastic energy of inclusive sessions for adults with disabilities, whilst also hearing how transport barriers prevent many from participating in sessions.

Now is the Time to ACT

Inclusion in physical activity means more than just opening doors, it’s about creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. This requires us to address the gaps that still exist by providing:

• Neurodivergent-friendly spaces: Many people with ADHD, autism, or sensory sensitivities need quiet, low-stimulation environments to feel safe and comfortable while exercising.
• Women’s health-focused sessions: Conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, and the impact of menstrual cycles are often overlooked in mainstream fitness.
• Accessible transport and funding: Systemic barriers that require coordinated solutions across our communities.
• Cultural representation: Physical activity spaces that reflect and celebrate the diversity of our communities.

Now is the Time for ALL

Whether you’re a sports centre manager, community group leader, sports coach, instructor or someone passionate about inclusion, we all have a role to play. Now is the time to:

• Reflect: Consider the barriers that might exist in your spaces or programmes.
• Connect: Reach out to underrepresented groups in your community and find out their needs and barriers to participation.
• Act: Take steps, however small, to make your activities more inclusive.
• Listen: Learn from the voices and experiences of those who face the greatest barriers.

As I continue supporting local organisations across Kent and Medway, I’m inspired by the incredible work already happening—often with limited resources. These groups are the backbone of inclusive practice, proving that when we prioritise inclusion, everyone benefits.

National Inclusion Week reminds us that inclusion isn’t something we do once and tick off a list. It’s an ongoing commitment to ensuring that physical activity is welcoming, accessible, and relevant for all. At Active Kent & Medway, we believe everyone deserves an equal opportunity to access physical activity to enhance their wellbeing. Whether it’s through sport, movement, or social connection, now is the time to make this vision a reality.

Published: September 2025.