If you’ve got a few minutes this weekend, take a look at Pathways to Progress – a new project focused on improving fair work in Scotland’s social care sector.
The project, delivered by Living Wage Scotland at the Poverty Alliance and funded by the Robertson Trust, is exploring how better pay, more secure hours, and improved working conditions can make a real difference for people working in care. [pathwaysto…rogress.uk]
It’s a thoughtful, accessible site with insights into the challenges facing social care – and the practical pathways that could help build a fairer future.
The Scottish Budget represents a cut to social care funding in Scotland, a concerning and disappointing reality for the people who access and work in social care.
In both COSLA’s manifesto and pre-budget lobbying, the voice of Scottish local government, made a clear and urgent ask for significant additional investment of £750m to protect and strengthen social care. The Scottish Budget as it currently stands, fails to deliver on this. There is no dedicated, additional funding for social care, and the £160m allocated for paying the Real Living Wage to adult social care workers falls short of the estimated £175m cost of this policy commitment.
This is not additional investment – it is underfunding of an existing promise.
The consequences of this budget are real. Without significant new resources, people will continue to face unacceptable delays for social work assessments and care packages. Services already under immense strain will be pushed even closer to breaking point, and councils will be forced into impossible choices.
This will directly impact individuals – those who access care and support and those in hospital waiting for care – at a time when our shared ambition should be to shift the balance of care and improve population health. It is for these reasons that COSLA sees this as very poor settlement for local government which fails to address the dire financial situation.
COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Cllr Paul Kelly commented: “Social care is fundamental to the wellbeing of our communities.
“The Scottish Budget – which COSLA Leaders agree is very poor – undermines the foundations of a fair and sustainable care system and risks reversing progress toward a model that truly meets people’s needs.
“Quite simply, this Budget is not just disappointing for social care, it is damaging.
“COSLA remains committed to improving the design and delivery of social care and we would welcome the opportunity on offer to take forward focused joint working to support our shared ambition of ensuring those with complex needs are supported in the right setting. But without proper investment, that ambition cannot be realised.”
COSLA has set out concerns about the Scottish Government’s Budget settlement for Local Government, warning that while there is a modest increase in uncommitted revenue, the settlement remains insufficient to meet rising demand for essential local services.
Following a meeting of council leaders, it was stressed that the increase of £234 million in uncommitted revenue funding for 2026/27 does not address the scale of pressures facing councils, particularly in social care where demand and complexity continue to rise sharply.
COSLA also highlighted urgent concerns about the continued underfunding of the Real Living Wage policy.
While welcoming the increase in funding for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, COSLA warned that the capital funding position for local government is becoming increasingly unsustainable, threatening councils’ ability to invest in vital infrastructure and community assets.
Leaders also expressed significant concern about the medium-term outlook set out in the Spending Review, which suggests continued de-prioritisation of local government and further real-terms cuts over the coming years.
Cllr Ricky Bell, COSLA Spokesperson for Resources, said:“While we acknowledge the increase in uncommitted revenue funding for 2026/27, this settlement falls far short of what is needed to sustain essential local services. Councils are facing acute and growing pressures, particularly in social care, and the current level of funding simply does not reflect the scale or complexity of demand.
“We are especially concerned by the continued underfunding of the Real Living Wage across portfolios including social care. COSLA made a clear and urgent ask for significant additional investment of £750m to protect and strengthen social care, which the Budget as announced fails to deliver.
“Further to this, the medium-term outlook paints a worrying picture for local government, with continued de-prioritisation and the prospect of significant real-terms cuts.
“If councils are to continue delivering for communities, we are calling for urgent and meaningful engagement with the Scottish Government to ensure local government is properly funded to continue delivering the essential services communities rely on every day.”
COSLA reiterated its support for the introduction of additional council tax bands as an interim step towards fundamental reform, emphasising that any changes must be taken forward in close cooperation with COSLA and local government.
In addition, it welcomed the Scottish Government’s forthcoming legislation to remove the cap on council tax premiums for second and empty homes, describing it as a positive step in providing councils with greater local flexibility.
The RCN says the practice must end urgently, as testimony from members shows its damaging effects
Corridor care has become such a permanent fixture in NHS hospitals that nursing staff are in danger of “losing all hope”, with collapsing care standards devastating morale, according to new testimony from nursing staff.
The Royal College of Nursing is reiterating its call for urgent, fully funded action plans to eradicate the practice, including investment in beds, the nursing workforce, community services and social care.
Nursing staff say the lack of action by governments has left them feeling “ashamed”, “angry”, and “embarrassed” about the unsafe, undignified care they are forced to deliver to patients.
The RCN is aware of a worsening picture this week as hospitals declare critical incidents and is encouraging members to raise any concerns about patient or staff safety. Read on to find out how we can offer practical support.
Our members report shocking examples of a patient being left in a chair for four days, while another patient died after choking undetected in a corridor.
Nursing staff have also resorted to holding up sheets to protect patient dignity when performing intimate procedures, with a corridor in one hospital so tightly packed that an elderly patient was left to eat next to someone vomiting.
One nurse in the south of England said: “We would not treat animals like this in a veterinary practice, so why in a hospital?”
Another, working in an NHS board in Scotland, told us: “It’s very stressful and distressing at times. There’s a sense of frustration and hopelessness.”
A mental health nurse in Wales said corridor care is a “regular occurrence”, with staff having to increase monitoring because unsecured corridors contain objects and fittings that raise the risk of self‑harm and suicide.
A nurse in Northern Ireland said: “I’ve had resuscitation attempts in the waiting room and corridor due to no capacity. It is inhuman and undignified.”
Practical support for nursing staff
If corridor care is happening at your workplace, it’s important to raise your concerns. Find out more in our raising concerns toolkit and get information on RCN support available from member support services.
We believe this latest testimony shows the unacceptable practice of corridor care is spreading beyond emergency departments, including acute assessment units, respiratory wards, surgical wards and elderly care wards.
Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said: “This new testimony from nursing staff reveals once again the devastating human consequences of corridor care, with patients forced to endure conditions which have no place in our NHS.”
As a result of our pressure, the Westminster government committed to publishing data on incidences of corridor care in England in February 2025, but so far has failed to do so.
The HSSIB – the patient safety investigation body for England – released a report in January 2026 on the widespread and normalised nature of corridor care, highlighting that some trusts are reportedly installing call bells and plug sockets in corridors.
As many as two in 10 (18%) UK adults have witnessed NHS care in non-clinical spaces such as a corridor in the last six months, according to new YouGov public polling. Further RCN analysis shows that when looking at only those who accessed care, the figure is more than one in three (37%).
The polling also shows the public want faster action on the issue, with seven in 10 (69%) of respondents in England saying Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s pledge to eradicate the practice by the end of parliament is “too slow”.
“The fact remains that there can be no safe, dignified care delivered in a corridor, store room or dining room, but that has become the norm,” Nicola added.
“It’s taking a terrible toll on staff, but ministers mustn’t allow them to lose hope. Decisive action can restore care standards and stop staff morale collapsing past the point of no return.
“Now is the time for ministers to stop dragging their feet and publish the data, alongside announcing a fully funded action plan and timeline for eradication.”
We want to thank our members who have raised their voices on corridor care to show why this issue matters and why it demands urgent action.
RCEM: Nurses’ corridor care testimonies ‘distressing, damning’
NURSE: ‘CONDITIONS ARE A TYPE OF TORTURE’
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has described new testimony from nurses about the state of corridor care across the UK as ‘distressing, damning and exactly what we see every single day in our departments’.
And the College says this reinforces the need to address this crisis.
More than 430 nurses described the conditions they are working in and what patients are enduring in a survey conducted by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), that has been published today (15 January 2026).
Just some examples shared include how a nurse witnessed a patient left in a chair for four days, a patient dying after choking undetected in a corridor and nurses holding up sheets to try and protect the dignity of a patient while they underwent an intimate procedure.
One nurse went as far as saying the conditions are “a type of torture”.
Their accounts were gathered between 2 January and 9 January 2026, revealing nursing staff are treating patients in cold corridors, dining rooms, staff kitchens and offices.
The experiences of nurses build on and updates the RCN’s report published this week last year, titled ‘On the frontline of the UK’s corridor care crisis’.
Dr Ian Higginson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine said: “This work by the Royal College of Nursing makes for incredibly tough reading. It’s distressing, damning and exactly what we see every single day in our departments.
“These deeply personal testimonies aren’t just stories – it’s the daily reality for patients and their nurses, who work alongside our members and their colleagues in Emergency Departments.
“Last year, when RCN released their first report on corridor care, we said that it must represent a watershed moment for the government, a line in the sand. Yet, 365 days on, the nurses voices show our patients are still in corridors, and there is no credible plan to get them out.
“So called ‘corridor care’ takes an immense toll on patients, who will be facing long waits in these conditions. And it takes an immense toll on our clinicians who are trying their upmost best to deliver quality care in these conditions.
“Our patients are being forced to endure these conditions, often for hours, if not days, because hospitals are full to bursting. We can’t move patients out of our departments, and into wards, because there are no available beds for them.
“Those beds are often taken up by patients who have experienced delays in their care, and who no longer need to be in hospital, but can’t leave, because of the lack of social care options.”
The new report also contains public polling which found:
As many as two in ten (18%) UK adults have witnessed care being delivered in a corridor or other non-clinical spaces in the last six months.
88% of respondents across the UK said tackling unsafe care is an urgent priority
Meanwhile in England, 69% said Wes Streeting’s pledge to end corridor care by the end of parliament is too slow.
Dr Higginson said: “Nurses have given their verdict loud and clear. So too have our members, and the public – they all want the crisis in EDs tackled with urgency.
“The Health Secretary said this week the government is ‘determined to consign corridor care to the history books’ and has committed to ending corridor care by the end of 2029. We welcome this. This problem can’t be solved quickly. It has been years in the making. But we do need a credible plan that starts now.
“We look forward to working with the government, and healthcare leaders, to implement meaningful solutions, many of which lie outside the walls of our EDs.”
It comes after the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Emergency Care last year published a report, compiled by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, on corridor care. It found almost one in five patients in EDs were being cared for in trolleys or chairs in corridors in England during summer.
Investment creating jobs and providing for communities
Scotland’s Displaced Workers Scheme signals the type of country the government is working to create, according to First Minister John Swinney.
The £500,000 scheme is helping employers recruit international workers who are already in the UK and find themselves without sponsored employment. It also mitigates the loss of international recruitment caused by changes to the UK immigration system.
Ahead of publication of the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27 tomorrow, the First Minister announced that the fund is reopening for applications following positive feedback from providers.
The First Minister met internationally recruited social care employees during a visit to health and social care charity Quarriers.
He said: “The UK Government’s decision to close the adult social care visa route to new overseas applications means this vital sector faces significant recruitment challenges during a time of great need.
“I have heard how our Displaced Workers Scheme is enabling more people to continue to build lives and livelihoods in a welcoming and open Scotland. It signals the type of country we are working to create – one with kindness and fairness at its heart – and ensures we can continue making a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable.
“We have already received 138 expressions of interest in the scheme, with positions expected to be filled over this month and next. But we want many more employers and workers to benefit, so we are reopening the fund and I would urge all eligible social care providers to express an interest in applying.
“This innovative scheme is just one example of how we are increasing capacity and relieving pressure within our health and social care system. This kind of delivery is what the people of Scotland can expect from the government’s Budget for 2026-27, which the Finance Secretary will set out tomorrow. The Scottish Budget will be firmly focused on my priorities: delivering strong and sustainable public services, growing the economy and supporting families.”
Alastair Dickson, Director of People and Wellbeing at Quarriers, said: “We were pleased to welcome the First Minister to our service in Cowdenbeath to meet international care workers and hear directly about their significant contribution to Quarriers. As an employer sponsor, this aligns with our priorities of investment, innovation, and inclusion to strengthen services and support a stable workforce.
“Quarriers is grateful for support through the Displaced Worker Scheme. It is a practical, targeted measure that helps employers like us meet the additional costs of recruiting workers who are already in the UK but have lost sponsorship through no fault of their own. This helps protect continuity of care and workforce capacity.”
Social care pressures are spiralling. Integration Joint Boards have faced £497m pressures in 2025/26. A £750m investment in the Scottish Budget could stabilise the system, says COSLA:
Social care pressures are spiralling.
Integration Joint Boards have faced £497m pressures in 2025/26.
A £750m investment in the Scottish Budget could stabilise the system.
COSLA is urging the Scottish Government to provide a £16 billion boost in revenue in the Scottish Budget, to secure fair and sustainable funding for councils.
A demand for a £844 million general capital settlement has also been requested, plus a restoration of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme to £955 million, to maintain, repair, expand and secure the future of Council estates.
COSLA has launched a lobbying campaign urging the Scottish Government to use the upcoming Scottish Budget to provide councils with the fair, sustainable and multi-year funding needed to protect essential local services.
The campaign – ‘Strong Councils, Strong Communities’ – highlights growing pressures facing local government and the very real consequences of continued underfunding for communities across Scotland. The financial pressures in social care and housing are two key areas COSLA are asking the Scottish Government to specifically address in their upcoming budget.
COSLA warns that without urgent action in January’s Budget, councils will be unable to maintain essential services such as social care, education, housing support, roads, and community safety.
COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Ricky Bell, said: ““Scotland’s councils deliver the services that people rely on every single day — from caring for older and vulnerable people to keeping schools open, streets safe and communities thriving.
“Councils are facing greater demand than ever and are required to do more with significantly less. This is unsustainable.
“The upcoming Scottish Budget is a pivotal moment. The Scottish Government must deliver a settlement that matches the scale of the challenge. Without fair funding, communities will see services reduced and inequalities deepen, and we will struggle to meet national targets in key areas such as child poverty, housing, and net zero”
This year, councils continue to face rising inflation, increasing demand for services, and the continued impact of workforce pressures across social care and education. COSLA’s analysis shows that even maintaining current services requires substantial additional investment.
As a fair and sustainable overall financial settlement COSLA’s key asks from the campaign include:
An immediate £750m investment in social care.
Flexibility for councils to make local decisions that respond to community needs.
Recognition of local government as an equal partner in delivering national priorities and tackling inequalities.
COSLA President, Councillor Shona Morrison, added:“Councils work tirelessly to deliver for Scotland’s communities, however, continued pressure on resources makes this increasingly challenging.
“This is about safeguarding what matters most, support for the most vulnerable, opportunities for young people, support for families, and safe, thriving communities.
“We hope the Budget will reflect the vital role Local Government plays in Scotland’s public services.”
Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh has announced the launch of a new three-year full-time BSc Nursing programme, offering students a faster route into the nursing workforce at a time of growing demand for qualified healthcare professionals.
For several years, QMU has offered courses which are studied over 4 years – a BSc Honours and a Master of Nursing – but this new 3 year degree expands QMU’s current provision, providing students aspiring to become qualified nurses with more routes to registration.
QMU’s new BSc Nursing provides an accelerated pathway to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), enabling graduates to enter the workforce a year earlier, while still benefiting from the University’s renowned high-quality teaching and person-centred approach to nurse education. Eligible students will also benefit from the £10,000 annual bursary for the full three-year duration of the course, alongside tuition fees covered by the Scottish Government.
Fast-track into nursing
The new BSc Nursing (three-year fulltime) offers:
Accelerated registration with the NMC, allowing graduates to join the workforce sooner.
Shared learning opportunities with students across QMU’s Division of Nursing and Paramedic Science, including those on the BSc Nursing (Hons), Master of Nursing, and BSc Nursing (Earn as you Learn) programmes.
Financial support, with eligible students receiving the £10,000 annual bursary for each of the three years, alongside tuition fees covered by the Scottish Government.
A condensed timetable with shorter summer breaks, ensuring students remain on track to graduate within three years.
Students will benefit from QMU’s strong partnerships with NHS Health Boards and other healthcare providers, gaining hands-on experience in a wide range of clinical settings.
The programme emphasises person-centred care, leadership development, and interprofessional learning, preparing graduates to deliver safe, compassionate, and effective healthcare.
On successful completion of the degree, graduates will have the option to enter the nursing workforce with the NHS or private sector. Subject to approval, this course will commence on 14th September 2026.
Meeting the needs of healthcare
Ruth Magowan, Head of the Division of Nursing at QMU, commented: “This new accelerated programme reflects QMU’s commitment to innovation and flexibility in healthcare education.
“By offering students the chance to qualify in three years instead of four, we are helping to strengthen the nursing workforce while ensuring our graduates are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and compassion needed to deliver excellent person-centred care.
“QMU has a longstanding reputation for excellence in nursing education, preparing students for rewarding careers in healthcare. With strong links to clinical practice, a focus on person-centred care, and a supportive learning environment, QMU graduates are highly sought after across Scotland and beyond.
“We are delighted to support the Scottish Government’s ambition to bolster the country’s healthcare workforce by playing a pivotal role in strengthening Scotland’s nursing profession.”
Health and social care services across Scotland are undergoing vital renewal and reform to ensure they remain high quality and person centred.
To support this, Scottish Government has commissioned Healthcare Improvement Scotland to develop the Scottish Approach to Change. The Scottish Approach to Change provides a clear pathway to support everyone to do change well.
On Friday 21 November, we hosted the launch of the Scottish Approach to Change in Edinburgh.
We had almost 100 people joining us in-person and online. We brought together senior leaders from across health and social care to explore how the Scottish Approach to Change can help drive meaningful change.
Caroline Lamb (Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and Director-General Health and Social Care) (above), Dr John Harden (National Clinical Lead for Quality and Safety), and Joanna Macdonald (National Chief Social Work Adviser and Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency, Scottish Government) highlighted the strategic importance of the approach in supporting health and social care renewal.
Leaders from North Lanarkshire HSCP, Dumfries and Galloway NHS board and HSCP, and NHS Forth Valley showcased real life examples of how the approach is already helping them to deliver transformational change.
The Scottish Approach to Change is supported by a digital resource which was launched in September. It’s available to any health and social care organisation looking to implement change and improve their services.
It brings together a wide range of tools and methods to help people plan and deliver person centred change.
The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) has boosted its staffing by bringing in almost 100 new recruits ahead of winter.
The extra staff were announced yesterday (Tuesday, 11 November) by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray while visiting the Service’s East Ambulance Control Centre (ACC) in South Queensferry.
The new staff include 25 call handlers who are based in the Service’s ambulance control centres and 22 staff, including GPs, clinical advisors and advanced practitioners, who have joined the Service’s Integrated Clinical Hub.
A dozen scheduled care coordinators who manage the Service’s patient transport vehicles have also been recruited, along with 36 ambulance care assistants who will transport patients to planned hospital or clinic appointments. An additional 72 ambulance care assistants will join SAS by April 2026.
Michael Dickson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “Compared to last year, we’re already seeing an increase of pressure on our services.It’s therefore essential that we continue to bolster our workforce to ensure we can give the best possible service to our patients and also provide support to our existing staff during this demanding time.
“To help our staff over winter, we’d like to remind the public that if you need urgent care, but it’s not life-threatening, you can call NHS 24 on 111, day or night, or visit your GP during opening hours.”
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “It was a pleasure to meet some of the new recruits and hardworking staff at the South Queensferry Control Centre.
“These new staff members will provide a crucial boost to the Scottish Ambulance Service as they deal with the increased demand and pressure that winter brings. This is on top of work already underway to recruit an additional 269 newly qualified paramedics this year.
“The additional call handlers and recruits to the Integrated Clinical Hub will all help to reduce conveyances and ensure patients are directed to the most appropriate care. The new staff working in the Hub will help triage less seriously ill patients who don’t need to go to A&E, freeing up ambulances and reducing pressure on emergency departments.”
Nearly three in five parents expect children’s physical activity to drop this winter
Over half of children aren’t getting the recommended 60 minutes of daily activity, with levels set to drop this autumn and winter – and around 8 in 10 parents underestimating how much movement kids need.
The campaign is backed by Alex and Olivia Bowen, Max Whitlock, Beth Tweddle and Joe Wicks, who has shared top tips for parents getting active with children, as research uncovers impact parents have on their children’s activity levels.
Almost three in five (57%) parents say their children’s physical activity levels are likely to suffer a seasonal dip during autumn and winter, with cold or wet weather (60%) and darker evenings (41%) highlighted as the key barriers in new research findings.
To tackle inactivity and help families keep children moving all year-round, the Government has launched ‘Let’s Move!’, a new campaign supported by Sport England that aims to help parents discover simple, fun, and pressure-free ways to build movement into daily life – which can start with just 10 minutes of activity.
NHS guidance recommends that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day – including 30 minutes outside of school hours. Yet the new survey reveals that 81% of parents underestimate how much physical activity children need. Already, more than half ofchildren in England aren’t getting the recommended amount of movement and, worryingly, the research shows this will increase during the colder months.
Supported by Joe Wicks, the ‘Let’s Move!’ campaign makes staying active easy and affordable, offering ideas from kitchen discos to local activities and playground fun. It encourages families to move together – 80% of parents believe their habits influence their child’s activity levels – and highlights how everyday routines can support healthy, active lifestyles.
Regular movement boosts mood, focus, and family connections, with 78% of parents agreeing that their child is happier after being active, has more energy (71%) and has better concentration (68%).
The campaign is part of the Government’s wider effort to break down barriers to physical activity for people all over the country. Already, more than £900 million has been committed to build grassroots facilities in the places that need them most and deliver a pipeline of major sports events that inspire the nation. Alongside this, the new School Sport Partnerships and
Enrichment Framework will ensure all young people have equal access to high-quality sport and extracurricular activity. Sport England evidence shows that improved health from participation in sport and physical activity relieves pressure on the NHS through £10.5 billiona year in health and social care savings.
Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “Building a more active nation is a huge part of this Government’s Plan for Change and we want to show families all over the country just how many ways there are to get involved.
“Whether it’s dancing, playing team sport or playing in the playground with their friends, we know that children who get at least an hour of exercise a day experience so many benefits – they’re happier, healthier and focus better at school.
“I am determined that every child, whatever their circumstances, should have those opportunities.”
While just over half (52%) of parents say their children really enjoy traditional forms of sport, others face barriers such as low confidence (31%) or a dislike of competitiveness (30%). However, 94% of parents say their children enjoy physical play as a form of movement – with top activities including visiting the playground (56%), riding a bike (46%), dancing (44%) and playing tag or chase (43%).
‘Let’s Move!’ aims to support different ways for children to enjoy being active – from sport to play and everyday movement. The campaign features real families from local areas having fun getting active together in ways which suit them, such as dancing or playing in the playground. Their images are featured in out-of-home and social channels in the local areas to inspire others to visit nhs.uk/LetsMove for tips, local activities and inspiration.
Parents and TV personalities Alex and Olivia Bowen launched the campaign in Essex alongside inspiring local families, demonstrating that movement really can be for everyone. Olympic champions Beth Tweddle and Max Whitlock led activities at the event, including dance challenges to obstacle courses, as families shared how they’ve been inspired to get active this winter.
Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton said: “Every child deserves the chance to be active, healthy and happy – but right now, too many are missing out on the 60 minutes of daily exercise their bodies need.
“’Let’s Move!’ is about showing families that physical activity doesn’t have to mean expensive gym memberships or organised sports. A kitchen disco, a walk to the park, or ten minutes of silly dancing – it all counts, and it all makes a real difference to children’s health, happiness and development. This builds on the work we have already done with Joe Wicks and his Activate animated series, inspiring children to move more.
“This campaign is part of our Plan for Change to build an NHS fit for the future by helping families make movement a natural, joyful part of everyday life.”
Joe Wicks, who got the nation moving during ‘PE With Joe’, is backing the campaign following the success of his animated workout series Activate, which was supported by a cross-section of government departments including DCMS, DfE and DHSC.
The series aims to make fitness fun for kids with short five-minute animated workouts. He shares new top tips as part of the ‘Let’s Move!’ campaign to help families slot activity into their everyday life, including being a role model, exploring local activities and getting outside whatever the weather.
Joe Wicks said: “As a dad, I know how hard it can be to keep kids moving – especially in the winter when it’s getting cold and dark.
“The idea of 60 minutes of movement a day for kids can sound like a lot, especially for kids who don’t feel confident doing traditional sports – but it doesn’t have to be all at once. It can start with something simple – a quick dance in the kitchen, a run or a brisk walk to the park, or an episode or two of Activate!
“It all adds up and gives kids an amazing mood boost – the key is making it fun.
“Let’s Move is about helping families find those little moments together – whether it’s discovering something local, or just getting active at home. It’s not about perfection, it’s about showing kids that moving isn’t a chore, it’s play. And when it’s playful, they’re way more likely to want to do it again, and again.”
‘Let’s Move!’ is being piloted in targeted areas of Sandwell, Lancashire, Essex and Bradford where inactivity levels and inequalities are greater than other parts of the country. These areas all receive funding from Sport England via their place partnership programme, to ensure those in greatest need can be active. The campaign supports the Government’s Health Mission, which prioritises preventative health measures, including addressing physical inactivity.
Sport England data also shows significant inequalities remain in activity levels, with Black (42%) and Asian (43%) children and young people, and those from the least affluent families (45%), still less likely to play sport or be physically active than the average across all ethnicities and affluence groups.
Weekend reading suggestion:
Have a read this weekend:
