Kirklees is taking bold steps towards a healthier, more active future. As a Sport England Place Partner, we’re working to understand how best to support residents to move more and overcome barriers that make being active difficult. 

Recent Active Lives data shows that 26% of adults and 26% of children in Kirklees are inactive, doing less than 30 minutes of activity each week. Some communities face greater challenges than others, and support will be targeted where it can make the biggest difference. 

As part of the programme’s development phase, Ravensthorpe and Fartown, Leeds Road corridor has been selected as the first focus areas for the community strand of Move More Kirklees.

Over the coming months, we will work closely alongside local residents, groups and organisations to co-design and deliver initiatives that make movement part of everyday life.

This won’t just be about traditional exercise—it will involve integrating activity into daily routines by working with libraries, GP surgeries, community centres, faith groups and schools, as well as exploring ways to improve local places and spaces. 

This phase launches under our new brand, Move More Kirklees, which encourages people across the borough to build movement into their daily lives and enjoy its benefits for health, happiness and wellbeing. 

Sofie Armitage, Move More Programme Manager, said: 
“We are currently listening to communities to understand what helps and hinders physical activity. From this, we’ll co-create solutions that make being active easier and more accessible. We will have community panels made up of residents in each area who will decide on which initiatives are right for the area, putting residents at the centre of the work.” 

Residents are invited to share their views: 

Ravensthorpe residents can complete the survey here. 
Fartown and Leeds Road corridor residents can complete the survey here. 

Learning from Ravensthorpe and Fartown will be shared with Sport England in Autumn 2026. This insight will help shape the next stage of the programme and support future expansion into other areas of Kirklees. 

The project is governed by a multistakeholder steering group, including representatives from the community and voluntary sector, Kirklees Council, the NHS, Yorkshire Sport Foundation and Sport England. 

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Sport England’s Executive Director for Place, said: 
“Where someone lives has a huge impact on how active they are. Through our Place Expansion programme, we’ll work with local partners and communities to break down barriers so everyone has equal access to a more active life. We’re excited to see what we can achieve together in Kirklees.” 

Steve Brennan, Kirklees Director of Partnership Development and Chair of the Place Partnership Group at NHS West Yorkshire ICB, said: 
“This support will have a big impact on the health and wellbeing of our communities for years to come.” 

For more information about Move More Kirklees contact info@movemorekirklees.com.  

Sport England invests National Lottery and Government funding into projects that help people get active and improve lives.