In Dorset, it’s important for us to recognise how living in rural communities can shape the opportunities people, and the organisations that support them, have to move more. Recent data tells us that it costs more to deliver services in rural areas, yet these areas typically receive less funding.

Thanks to our place‑based investment, our Systems Leadership Programme is helping us bring these realities into focus for system leaders. The programme has shifted the narrative across Dorset by highlighting both the value of physical activity in tackling wider societal issues and the unique rural challenges faced by our communities.

Read our latest blog which reflects on Cohort 1 of Active Dorset’s Systems Leadership Programme.

Last month we launched our Partner Packs - a practical resource designed to help you champion movement in your organisation or workplace or educational setting.

Each pack focuses on a month-long campaign theme, bringing together several awareness days and weeks, giving you more time to plan and engage meaningfully with your workforce.

Register to receive our May Partner Pack, highlighting how your organisation can get involved with Learning at Work Week, Mental Health Awareness Week, and Walk to School Week 2026.

Packs will be sent out on Friday 6th April 2026.

This month saw the launch of our new Safeguarding and Welfare newsletter, fronted by Dorset's Sport Welfare Officer, James Ballard.

The newsletter aims to support local clubs and Club Welfare Officers by providing key safeguarding updates, information, signposting, and resources.

If you are a Dorset based club or organisation, please sign up to the "Dorset Sport Welfare" newsletter.

We are taking a stand for workplace health and are challenging our colleagues to sit a little less and move a little more during their working hours to support On Your Feet Day. The national activity awareness day aims to get 2 million desk-based workers across Britain to participate in a variety of fun and simple activities to sit less and move more when at work.

On Your Feet Day is your chance to get the ball rolling and encourage your employees, co-workers or even your boss to take a stand. Team up with colleagues and see how much you can reduce your “sitting time”.

Research shows that regular movement throughout the day leads to:

✅ Better physical and mental health
✅ Increased motivation
✅ Improved concentration
✅ And many, many more wellbeing and performance benefits

Sign up and get your team involved on Thursday 30th April.

A new blog written by Suzanne Gardner and Hannah McDonald from Sport England, focusing on how movement can be designed into neighbourhood health, has been published on the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme website.

The blog includes examples from Active Partnerships, highlighting the important role that Active Partnerships, such as Active Dorset, can play as a key connector in the community.

The annual funding round of this programme is now open, and will close on 20 April 2026.

The Lord-Lieutenant’s Fund for Young and Talented ensures that every young person has the same opportunities to develop their sporting talent regardless of background, financial or personal circumstances. 

Grants of up to £1,000 will be given towards kit/clothing costs, competition fees, coaching, travel costs and accommodation.

The Movement Fund from Sport England can fund up to £15,000 for local organisations to deliver projects which aim to support people with getting more active, especially those facing the greatest inequalities.

As part of our place-based work, we provide support and guidance to organisations wishing to apply in our priority areas: Weymouth, Portland, Boscombe, Kinson and West Howe.

Contact us using the link below.