Activate West Wales has officially launched, bringing together partners from health, education, sport and local government to improve access to physical activity for people of all ages and backgrounds across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
The launch event was held in Llanddarog Community Hall in Carmarthen, where nearly 100 partners gathered to hear more about Activate West Wales, its aims, its wants, and its call to arms.
The State of the Region report was presented by Chair of Activate West Wales, Dr Sue Barnes, which highlighted rising inactivity, declining sports participation and widening health inequalities across West Wales. Sue’s introduction was clear, that the report showed that without action, today’s inactive children are likely to become tomorrow’s unhealthy adults, facing preventable health issues and reduced life opportunities. She appealed to all gathered at the launch to work together to improve the health and wellbeing of those in West Wales.
Activate West Wales aims to reverse these trends by helping children and young people build the skills, confidence and motivation to lead active, healthy lives into adulthood. By working collaboratively, partners can reduce inequalities, strengthen communities and create a healthier, more resilient region.
A panel discussion was hosted by Thomas Sharp, Commercial Manager at Welsh Sports Association (WSA). Panel members, Activate West Wales CEO Jamie Rewbridge, Sport Wales Relationship Manager Lauren Thomas, Carmarthenshire Actif Communities Manager Mari- Ann Jones, Principal Public Health Practitioner Ben Williams and Activate West Wales Chair Dr Sue Barnes explored how place‑based models, shared data and collective action will shape success over the next three years.
CEO of Activate West Wales, Jamie Rewbridge, also spoke at the launch event to outline the organisation’s strategy and how partners can support its delivery. A high-energy workshop, led by facilitator Andrew Diggle, brought local partners together to explore working more closely with local communities to design their own solutions, what this means in practice and how they can collectively activate the strategy. Through dynamic activities, open discussion and shared thinking, the session created opportunity for partners to reflect on their role and understand how others are planning to shape more active communities. The afternoon sparked a clear commitment to continue working together to turn a shared ambition into action.
The enthusiasm and excitement during the launch was clear to see – with all gathered agreeing that partnership approach, sharing best practice and working together was the best way to get the desired results. Activate West Wales now begins the work of turning this shared ambition into positive change for communities across the region.
