Jessica Ennis (above left) helped launch the ParkLives initiative in Birmingham in May
What is Coca-Cola Zero ParkLives? At the end of May, Cola-Cola Great Britain announced a national physical activity programme called Coca-Cola Zero ParkLives: a programme of free, fun activities in parks, delivered in partnership with local authorities.
Why is ukactive involved? When the opportunity arose to work with Coca-Cola, my first instinct was to immediately question why – as the national not-for-profit health body for the physical activity sector – we’d want to work with a soft drinks manufacturer. Surely a contradiction? But then I took a step back and considered what was at stake. The latest UK inactivity figures are shocking – enough to bankrupt the NHS within a decade. On the table was an opportunity to contribute to redirecting this trend.
ukactive’s mission to get more people, more active requires partnerships with brands that have the profile to reach consumers at scale. But we must walk a fine line between retaining our value to our members and ensuring our relationships with the commercial sector remain true to our DNA. We believe Coca-Cola Great Britain is committed to playing its part in tackling the issue of obesity: its work to address inactivity goes hand-in-hand with the reformulation of some of its drinks and increased marketing of its zero-calorie brands.
What is ukactive doing? Alongside Coca-Cola GB, Public Health England and local authorities, we’re helping shape the plans, we’re leading the monitoring and evaluation of the project, and we’re ensuring the views of the stakeholder community are heard.
We’ve sometimes been the awkward partner asking challenging questions. We’ve helped ensure project objectives include reaching inactive people, demonstrating an uplift in activity levels over time, signposting sustainable community opportunities and generating greater levels of usage of local parks and open spaces.
For those who wonder where we draw the line – when does a consumer brand collaboration become an absolute no-go for us – I say this: we look to work with anyone who has a role to play in getting more people, more active, more often.
There are countless considerations that will vary from project to project, but what matters is a genuine and credible long-term commitment to getting more people more physically active.
The activity agenda Coca-Cola is a soft drinks business that will be judged 99.9 per cent of the time based on its actions in the area of soft drinks. But in 2013, it took a strategic decision to play its part in helping tackle obesity, most publicly through a series of high profile adverts promoting switches to the Coca-Cola Zero brand.
ParkLives will always have its critics, but the programme also has high profile supporters. Part of our commitment to improving the health of the nation by promoting physical activity includes forming relationships with brands that share a similar ambition and commitment. A company like Coca-Cola GB has unique reach to be mobilised in the battle to turn the tide of inactivity. So with sincerity, I say see you in the park this summer.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
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Jessica Ennis (above left) helped launch the ParkLives initiative in Birmingham in May
What is Coca-Cola Zero ParkLives? At the end of May, Cola-Cola Great Britain announced a national physical activity programme called Coca-Cola Zero ParkLives: a programme of free, fun activities in parks, delivered in partnership with local authorities.
Why is ukactive involved? When the opportunity arose to work with Coca-Cola, my first instinct was to immediately question why – as the national not-for-profit health body for the physical activity sector – we’d want to work with a soft drinks manufacturer. Surely a contradiction? But then I took a step back and considered what was at stake. The latest UK inactivity figures are shocking – enough to bankrupt the NHS within a decade. On the table was an opportunity to contribute to redirecting this trend.
ukactive’s mission to get more people, more active requires partnerships with brands that have the profile to reach consumers at scale. But we must walk a fine line between retaining our value to our members and ensuring our relationships with the commercial sector remain true to our DNA. We believe Coca-Cola Great Britain is committed to playing its part in tackling the issue of obesity: its work to address inactivity goes hand-in-hand with the reformulation of some of its drinks and increased marketing of its zero-calorie brands.
What is ukactive doing? Alongside Coca-Cola GB, Public Health England and local authorities, we’re helping shape the plans, we’re leading the monitoring and evaluation of the project, and we’re ensuring the views of the stakeholder community are heard.
We’ve sometimes been the awkward partner asking challenging questions. We’ve helped ensure project objectives include reaching inactive people, demonstrating an uplift in activity levels over time, signposting sustainable community opportunities and generating greater levels of usage of local parks and open spaces.
For those who wonder where we draw the line – when does a consumer brand collaboration become an absolute no-go for us – I say this: we look to work with anyone who has a role to play in getting more people, more active, more often.
There are countless considerations that will vary from project to project, but what matters is a genuine and credible long-term commitment to getting more people more physically active.
The activity agenda Coca-Cola is a soft drinks business that will be judged 99.9 per cent of the time based on its actions in the area of soft drinks. But in 2013, it took a strategic decision to play its part in helping tackle obesity, most publicly through a series of high profile adverts promoting switches to the Coca-Cola Zero brand.
ParkLives will always have its critics, but the programme also has high profile supporters. Part of our commitment to improving the health of the nation by promoting physical activity includes forming relationships with brands that share a similar ambition and commitment. A company like Coca-Cola GB has unique reach to be mobilised in the battle to turn the tide of inactivity. So with sincerity, I say see you in the park this summer.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
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