Buckinghamshire’s programme for keeping active wins national award

Active Bucks, the physical activity programme that helps people in Buckinghamshire become – and stay – more active, has been recognised nationally by the Royal Society for Public Health in their 2018 Health & Wellbeing Awards.

Active Bucks builds on residents’ actual interests and preferences to develop a portfolio of activities which people truly enjoy, and which often become popular enough to be self-sustaining. Since it began in 2015, over 4,500 people have taken part in Active Bucks, with activities covering an amazing range – from walking, running and swimming to more unusual offerings such as Quidditch games and NERF battles.

Managed by Buckinghamshire County Council’s Public Health Team, Active Bucks has also been well supported by partners across the county, including the NHS, the district councils, and many voluntary sector organisations. The Royal Society for Public Health judging panel, in awarding Active Bucks their Healthier Lifestyles Award, paid tribute to the programme as “an extremely robust, effective and innovatively delivered project.”

Noel Brown, Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Engagement & Public Health, said: “It’s great news that this flagship Buckinghamshire programme has been recognised nationally by the Royal Society for Public Health for its originality and outstanding quality. This is a testament to the skill and hard work of our Public Health Team and the Active Bucks providers, who have developed and delivered a programme that makes a real difference to the health of local residents.”