Ipswich Borough Council has welcomed a further investment of approximately £1 million from Sport England to continue supporting residents across the town to lead healthier, more active lives.
The funding will enable the Ipswich Place Partnership to build on the success of its first year, continuing its innovative, community-led approach to improving physical activity levels and tackling health inequalities across the town.
Ipswich was selected as one of Sport England's 53 Place Partnerships in 2025, with particular focus on Whitton, Gainsborough, Belstead Hills and surrounding neighbourhoods. The programme brings together local organisations, community groups and residents to identify and address barriers preventing people from being physically active.
During the first year of the partnership, six Community Connectors worked across Ipswich, engaging with more than 500 residents, organisations and local groups to better understand people's experiences of physical activity and the challenges and opportunities linked to where they live.
The insights gathered helped shape a range of activities and initiatives designed around the needs of local people. These have included:
- Women's self-defence sessions.
- Pickleball opportunities for Chantry Academy students.
- Football sessions for children with Special Educational Needs.
- Community events at local sports and social clubs.
Alongside these projects, the partnership has continued to support local organisations and community groups through networking opportunities, shared learning and training programmes aimed at strengthening services and increasing opportunities for residents to participate in physical activity.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Sport England’s Executive Director for Partnerships and Place, said: “Ipswich has shown what can happen when you listen to communities and turn what you hear into action with them. This next £1 million of investment gives the partnership a real opportunity to reach even more people facing barriers to being active.
“By working with local people and partners, we can create lasting change and make it easier for more people across Ipswich to be active, connected and healthy.”
Tom Wright, Active Suffolk’s Development Officer for Place – Ipswich, said: “Working in Ipswich to understand what local residents need to be able to access and enjoy physical activity has been such an insightful experience so far, and I really want to thank both our Community Connectors and all of the extremely committed, locally trusted partners that we've worked with to engage in those needed conversations with our communities.
“Building on, reflecting on and taking action around what we've been hearing from our communities has been crucial to making sure that our place-based approach to physical activity in Ipswich remains relevant, responsive and effective.
“We know that getting active is one of the best ways that anyone can improve their overall health - and I'm excited to continue working with all of our partners across Ipswich to make sure we can bring this positive change to even more local communities in our town.”
Councillor Stefan Long, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sport, said: “This investment is fantastic news for Ipswich and a real recognition of the strength of partnership working across the town.
“We already have so much positive work happening within our communities, and this Place Partnership will help us build on those foundations - supporting local people, organisations and networks to grow what’s already working well, so that Ipswich continues to thrive as an active and connected town.
“By working alongside our communities, we can create more opportunities for residents to be active in ways that feel accessible, welcoming and meaningful to them, helping to improve wellbeing and reduce health inequalities across Ipswich.”