Active in Nature

Priorities

Movement with communities is pivotal to unlocking the many benefits of physical activity in the right way, for those people that can benefit the most. Within Devon’s communities are the knowledge and the assets needed to address the various inequalities and barriers that exist. Crucial to this are people and organisations that enable others. They are key to helping people to move more. Read more.

Priorities

Movement for health and wellbeing is important because improved physical and mental wellbeing are two of the most significant benefits of physical activity. The inter-relationship between inequality and poor health and wellbeing makes preventative, community focused approaches a priority. Read more.

Priorities

In busy modern lifestyles, anyone can find it difficult to form and maintain active habits. Everyday movement can be an accessible way for people to make small changes in their lives and move more in and around where they live and work.

Devon’s wonderful outdoor environment is a significant and unique asset for people to connect to and move in. But it is threatened by the global climate emergency and other environmental pressures and we must help to protect it for future generations. Read more.

Priorities

Whilst inactivity and inequality exist across the life course, early and later life are particularly important age groups. A positive experience of physical activity helps children develop the physical competence and confidence that ensures movement is a lifelong habit. Meanwhile, helping people to age well by being active enables them to live a longer, healthier life. Read more.

Long-Term Aims

Positive Experiences – Movement to be a positive experience for all people, whatever their background

Reduced Inequalities – Movement to contribute to reduced societal inequalities

Committed Partners – Increased local commitment to using movement to change people’s lives

Our Values

Collaboration – We overcome more challenges by walking the journey together.

Inclusion – Movement is for everyone.

Trust – Building trusting relationships is vital in enabling people to move more.

Innovation – We are always learning and finding new ways to help people be active.

At any age, the bodily benefits of movement and of being active are huge. Yet for children, this is dramatically increased due to both short-term health and wellbeing gains and to the embedding of behaviours that will support a good, long life.

Schools that build physical activity into the fabric of their culture offer their students the opportunity to grow stronger, more agile and more resilient bodies with stamina, flexibility and balance that will likely stay with them for a lifetime. Read more.

Perhaps the most obvious reason schools exist is to exercise the young minds of our community, to embed learning, exploration and problem solving as key themes in the early lives of children.

It is well established that active children do better when it comes to comprehension, concentration and a host educational outcomes across the board. Active schools are therefore better performing schools. Read more.

Movement and being active, especially in children, encourages exploration, learning and creativity, as well as connectivity and empathy with others and an appreciation of nature and space

Active schools offer their students to opportunity to benefit collectively, and as a culture to thrive. Physical activity is well proven to have positive mental health and wellbeing outcomes, that make for more positive, connected individuals. Read more.

Having a sense of place is important for anyone to feel true belonging. Yet for children, the stability of a safe, welcoming and inspiring place is crucial for development, particularly when it comes to relationships and confidence in later life.

Schools that consider the friendliness of their atmosphere, and how the physical architecture supports and engages their students, thrive when it comes to student wellbeing, creativity and attainment. Read more.

As everyone is different, a focus on people is critical to improving individual health and wellbeing, and a strong community is proven to dramatically increase developmental learning and good wellbeing in children.

Schools are the centre of many communities, but strong communities require energy, empathy and solidarity, and improving communication and a supportive culture goes a long, long way. Read more.

Children who engage with nature are known to do better than those who don’t, and learning about the planet and our environment are pillars of good wellbeing, and a strong special cognition.

Schools that integrate outdoor play and learning, and showcase the wisdom of our interconnected relationship with nature, open up a world of possibilities for their students. Read more.

Schools Hub

Active Devon’s Online Community for Schools and Teachers

This area of our website has been designed to support you with all things physical activity within and around schools and education.

What’s more, it is our hope that this will become a place where you can help one another, providing collaborative, supportive and non-judgement advice to help you navigate PE, primary PE premiums, Ofsted, active travel, and all else.