Active Norfolk

21/11/2025

Today, the Ann Craft Trust is asking organisations to share how they build safer cultures.

At Active Norfolk, we've been collaborating with Breckland Council and Bowls Development Alliance to bring the Bowls for Health programme to people in Norfolk.

We know that safeguarding and welfare lies at the heart of this project. That's why we're proud to introduce Mindful Clubs as part of the Breckland Council's Mindful Towns and Villages programme, supporting clubs to create safer, more inclusive environments for everyone.

For more information about Mindful Clubs, contact: anita.stewart@activenorfolk.org

Learn more about Mindful Towns and Villages: https://www.breckland.gov.uk/article/20606/Our-Mindful-Towns-and-Villages

20/11/2025

Join us in celebrating Universal Children's Day 🤸

At Active Norfolk, we’re proud to support children and young people to be active, healthy and included through the work we do with schools, families and communities across Norfolk.

📝 Through the Active Lives Children and Young People Survey, Sport England gains valuable insight from pupils in Years 1–11 about how active they are and how they feel about sport and physical activity. Each school that takes part helps to give children a voice in the decisions that shape the future of physical activity in schools.
View the Active Lives Survey impact 👉 https://www.activenorfolk.org/our-impact/active-lives-survey/

📣 The Big Norfolk Holiday Fun (BNHF) programme supports children’s right to play, rest and develop by giving those on benefits-related free school meals access to free, fun holiday activities and a nutritious meal. By removing cost as a barrier, BNHF helps more children to stay active, try new things, build confidence and friendships, and enjoy safe spaces to play and grow during the school holidays.
View the BNHF impact 👉 https://www.activenorfolk.org/our-impact/big-norfolk-holiday-fun/

🏃 Our work with the Norfolk School Games supports the physical, social and emotional development of children and young people through daily physical activity and positive competition. This national initiative, funded by Sport England and delivered in partnership with a network of School Games Organisers, offers inclusive sports opportunities for pupils in Years 3–13 to take part, have fun and be inspired to stay active for life.
View the Norfolk School Games impact 👉 https://www.activenorfolk.org/our-impact/school-games/

Thank you to all the schools, providers and partners who champion active, inclusive opportunities for children and young people across Norfolk 👏

19/11/2025

How do we build empowering environments in our organisations?

This Safeguarding Adults week, we dive into how co-production and positive risk-taking can shape trauma-informed approaches.

The Ann Craft Trust have many resources to support your organisations, such as this free online seminar where Anne Patterson will share some key insights from the ‘Listening to the Voice of Participants Project’.

She will explore what sport organisations can do to create a positive inclusive culture with individuals wellbeing at the centre.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/listening-to-the-voice-of-sport-participants-key-insights-tickets-1785865544919?aff=erelpanelorg&_gl=1*mrd8nu*_up*MQ

This week, you can also join a free seminar run by HeadSAFE Football's Lou Crawford and Nick Gates. They will explain how they work to protect players, promote awareness, and make football safer for all.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/headsafe-football-protecting-players-promoting-safety-tickets-1780155255289

Let's empower staff to feel confident in enabling and supporting individuals, creating spaces where everyone can thrive.

18/11/2025

Don’t miss out!

Complete the Physical Activity Survey for a chance to win: £25 One4All voucher plus a free gym membership or Norwich Parks Tennis pass.

Take the survey: http://bit.ly/4mGtSyN

17/11/2025

Don't miss out! Bookings are now open for the winter Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme, running 22 December - 5 January.

Schoolchildren aged 4-16 can join in the festive fun at no cost if they receive benefits-related free school meals.

These activities are a fantastic opportunity to get out and about this winter, ensuring that families across the county can access free, quality activity provision and a free healthy lunch with each session.

Thank you to all who have supported the programme in previous years. Whether you are a parent, carer, activity provider, or someone who works closely with children and young people, your efforts have helped secure a further 3 years of funding for the programme.

Use our Every Move activity finder to explore fun, enriching activities across several activity providers in Norfolk. Team sports, karate, outdoor adventure, theatre, cooking – you name it!

https://everymovenorfolk.activityfinder.net/

If you work with young people and would like to signpost during the weeks leading up to the programme, you can find our digital marketing packs on our website. Access flyers, SEND resources, and copy for your newsletters and social media!

https://www.activenorfolk.org/organisations/big-norfolk-holiday-fun-providers/cyp/ #-modal

This holiday scheme is coordinated by Active Norfolk on behalf of Norfolk County Council, funded by the UK Government.

17/11/2025

Today, we launch Safeguarding Adults Week (17-21 November), where we reflect on our role in changing the conversation as a means of prevention.

We all have a part to play in creating safer, more inclusive environments to prevent abuse before it happens.

How can sports clubs, community groups, and organisations build spaces where people look out for each other? How can we amplify individual voices to reduce harm, neglect, and isolation?

Changing the conversation doesn’t mean ignoring poor practice. It means tackling it early to stop it from escalating.

Visit https://www.anncrafttrust.org/safeguarding-adults-week-2025-links-resources-and-more/ to access blogs, upcoming webinars and resources to support your organisation.

14/11/2025

📣 Does your organisation run or fund physical activity sessions for unpaid carers? If so, Carers UK would love to hear from you!

This feedback will provide valuable insight to what’s working, what’s missing, and how they can support organisations to make physical activity more accessible for carers.

Complete their survey here 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CarersActiveMapping2025
Please note the survey closes at 5pm on the 21st November.

Carers UK | Carers Matter Norfolk | Carers Voice Norfolk and Waveney

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

11/11/2025

Next week, BNHF bookings will open to the public!

If your child receives benefits-related free school meals, they can join in with Big Norfolk Holiday Fun activities for free!

Sessions will take place over the school Christmas holidays from 22 December - 5 January. From martial arts to multisports, this festive programme has plenty of fun, exciting activities on offer.

If you have questions around your child's eligibility for free school meals, please visit: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/38166

If your child is not in receipt of benefits-related free school meals, paid spots are available for a small fee. Sign-up to our newsletter for more guidance on how and when to book your activities: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/holidayfunsignup

11/11/2025

We're delighted to support our sister charity, the Active Norfolk Foundation, as well as the Norfolk FA, in delivering ‘Pitch Perfect’ ⚽️

This programme, made possible by funding from the Norfolk Community Fund, aims to increase the number of women in coaching. It has a particular focus on the most deprived areas of Norwich and Great Yarmouth, aligning closely with our commitment to tackling inequalities through physical activity.

By creating opportunities for more women to gain coaching qualifications, Pitch Perfect supports the development of a more inclusive and representative community that will inspire and support the next generation of female players.

🗣️ “We’re incredibly proud to launch Pitch Perfect: Step into Coaching, a programme that’s all about opening doors for women who might never have considered coaching before."

Read more 👇
https://www.norfolkfa.com/news/2025/oct/27/pitch-perfect-step-into-coaching

10/11/2025

You told us: Better facilities would help you get active.

So we invested in gyms, parks, and leisure centres.

Tell us what’s working, and what’s still missing. Take the survey: http://bit.ly/4mGtSyN

06/11/2025

We are over the moon on behalf of Eska Karate who are finalists in the EDP 24 Business Awards 2025. Nominated as small business of the year, we at Active Norfolk have had the privilege to have worked with ESKA on various occasions; most notably in co-delivering the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme, and in working with them to develop and deliver inclusive sessions in Norfolk.

Our Senior Partnerships Officer Ellen said: “It’s been fantastic to work with such a proactive and forward-thinking club. ESKA have shown real commitment to improving their inclusive offer - and not just through talking about it, but by putting it into action. Through our collaboration, we’ve trialled and developed new inclusion training for staff, and it’s been brilliant to see them follow through by creating a popular inclusive session that’s making a genuine difference. Their nomination is so well-deserved, and we’re excited to see what they achieve next.”

Our Sports Welfare Officer Anita added: "It’s been a pleasure to work with ESKA. They truly embody what it means to move safeguarding from policies to people, creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and supported. From a welfare perspective, their dedication to doing things the right way shines through in everything they do, and this recognition is a testament to their values and hard work.”

Congratulations to the hard-working team at ESKA on a very well deserved nomination, and best of luck!

The Dojo Norwich

05/11/2025

We are supporting the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS on a new campaign encouraging all adults to take the Healthy Choices Quiz.

This health and wellbeing quiz aims to empower adults to take control of their health by making small changes day to day.

📱Taking around 5 minutes to complete, the quiz asks a series of questions about your lifestyle. You will then receive an overall score out of 10 and advice on how you are doing in each area. You’ll also receive personalised recommendations and a wealth of NHS resources including free apps to help you act where it’s most needed.

Take the free NHS Healthy Choices Quiz today: 👉 https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/healthy-choices-quiz/