Liverpool delivers over 170,000 activity opportunities under Active City programme

More than 170,000 activity opportunities have been delivered across Liverpool during the latest year of the Active City programme.

The range of provision spans walking groups, football, cycling, tennis, cricket, inclusive sport and free sessions for children and families, all coordinated by the Liverpool Active City Network. The ten-year 2024-2034 strategy behind the effort seeks to make physical activity easier for people of any age or ability by tackling barriers such as safety concerns, limited access to quality local spaces and lack of time.

Community projects expand

Neighbourhood-led projects have been a cornerstone of the rollout. In Everton West and Princes Park, residents have taken part in guided walks, accessed free equipment hire, joined chair-based exercise classes and benefited from improvements to local facilities.

Youth and health services boost participation

The newly created Health and Wellbeing Service is already supporting more than 150 people who were referred by 48 GP practices across the city. Meanwhile, the Lifestyles Youth Offer supplies a free “Kids Go Free” junior membership to eligible youngsters aged 8 to 17; over 12,000 young people have signed up, gaining unrestricted access to leisure centres and encouraging lifelong healthy habits. Complementary options such as regular parkrun events, Map a Mile routes and community cycling sessions further embed activity into everyday life.

Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said the council wants activity to become part of everyday life for all residents, not something that feels out of reach. He highlighted the thousands of opportunities now available and stressed the importance of listening to residents to target support where barriers are greatest.

Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health, noted that physical activity can dramatically improve health and wellbeing, but recognised that not everyone has equal access. He explained that the Active City programme is designed to understand and address obstacles such as feeling unsafe, limited quality spaces and time constraints.

The next phase of the programme will concentrate on expanding neighbourhood-based activity, developing more walking, running and wheeling routes, improving access to leisure and wellbeing services and giving residents a stronger voice in shaping local provision.