We were delighted to have some of the Schools Plus team attend the 2019 edition of the ukactive National Summit on Thursday 31st October.
The event was packed full of talks from industry experts, Olympic athletes and governmental figures all of who were focused on addressing how physical activity (or the lack thereof) impacts how we live, where we live and how we work.
The day started with an incredible speech from Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, DBE. She discussed how physical activity needs to be challenged in all areas of our lives and then touched on the amazing achievements that happened during the celebrations throughout European Week of Sport and National Fitness Day, how we were able to come together to get active in in all aspects of our lives and across all ages.
After the tone was set for the day, speeches continued throughout the morning from the Rt.Hon, The Lord O’Donnell, Tim Hollingsworth and Kate Hardcastle all discussing a range of topics including the value of well-being and creating active and thriving high streets.
We headed into the first set of breakout sessions where ukactive had put together specialist panels who debated relevant topics and answered questions from attendees.
After lunch, we had a further set of key note speeches starting with Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock. He talked of his own ways of bringing physical activity into his life both at home and at work and how these small changes can make such a difference.
We had the pleasure of hearing from Legendary Olympian, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill DBE who took part in an informative Q+A discussion with another former Olympian, Professor Greg Whyte OBE.
Dame Jessica went on to discus her Olympic career and how staying active really has changed her life. We heard how she continues her active lifestyle as a retired athlete and how she realised that being involved in the active sector as an ambassador really is her passion that she will continue now she has founded Jennis Fitness.
Our final keynote of the day was from the Founder of The Valuable 500, Caroline Casey. She delivered a hilarious, uplifting and motivational speech to the room challenging the sector to make our workplaces, where we live and physical activity accessible for all.
We enjoyed a final breakout session and afterwards had a quick chance to network with some people in our industry before heading home after a long but thought-provoking and motivating day.
We learned a lot from the National Summit but what we will take away most is that change in this sector starts with every single person, with even the smallest of changes which will make an overall difference!
We shouldn’t be put off by the pressure of changing everything at once and Schools Plus are looking forward to challenging ourselves to make more active choices moving forwards.
