David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, has announced a £7 million investment to help communities across the region to become healthier and more active.

The new campaign, called ‘Moving Forward’, aims to tackle key regional health and wellbeing challenges through four areas: Movement, Activity and Sport; Active Travel, Men’s Mental health and Connected to the Outdoors.

Mayor Skaith said: “The health and wellbeing of our communities is at the heart of everything we do and has been my priority since day one.

Empowering our communities to create more opportunities to move and be together is a key way we’re going to deliver healthy and thriving communities across York and North Yorkshire.”

The first stage of the campaign includes £2.75 million for Movement, Activity and Sport, which will target investment to support woman and girls’ participation in sport, improve access for Disabled people, tackle ruralisolation, and promote early intervention to improve health and reduce anti-social behaviour.

The fund will also supoprt skill development and training in the area.

According to the mayor, over 30% of adults do less than 30 minutes of exercise a week, and over 60% are overweight or obese.

“I know the impact that keeping moving has on our mental health, but in our region, too many people face barriers to accessing sport and activity, especially women and girls and Disabled people,” the mayor said. 

“Moving Forward is about backing people across York and North Yorkshire to build the healthy and thriving communities they deserve.”

North Yorkshire Sport will manage the delivery of the fund.

Chief Executive David Watson, described the £2.75 million investment as “a major step” toward reducing inequalities, building stronger communities and improving access to inclusive sport and activity.

He said: “Our close working relationship and shared goals will ensure the fund transforms communities across our region, creating lasting opportunities for health, connection, inclusion and economic development.”