ukactive has announced that Active Uprising and the National Summit are going digital as part of free events programme for 2020

The events will be held online in July and October after a physical event, planned for 20 October, was postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis and represent an opportunity for the sector to discuss the role of physical activity and the need for political leaders to reconsider its value in light of the impact of COVID-19.

Support from Sport England has enabled the programme to be offered no cost to attendees.

Upcoming events as part of the programme include:

COVID-19 Impact Report UPDATE – The fitness and leisure sector path to recovery
2.00pm Thursday 2 July

COVID-19 Impact – Facility reopening and insurance considerations
2.00pm Tuesday 7 July

Active Uprising
The Active Uprising online series will follow the Together webinars, by kicking off in July with head coach of Manchester United Women’s Football Club, Casey Stoney MBE, who will share her stories on resilience and leadership. Further keynote speakers will be announced closer to the event.

The sessions will continue Active Uprising themes, such as Sweat North, Challenging the Mindset, Learning and Development, and Generation Active, along with new sessions on digital transformation, workplace wellbeing, and social prescribing.

National Summit
The National Summit will take place through a series of four digital sessions in November. It will answer key questions about the future of physical activity, the role the sector plays in inspiring a diverse audience and feed into a consultation that will seek to provide clear recommendations to Government.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “We know the impact COVID-19 has had on our sector and the customers it serves, so it’s vital that we come together and share learnings in order to build a stronger industry for the health of the UK.

“Our events have set a benchmark for sector collaboration over recent years, driving progress for our shared mission and ensuring we grow our reach and impact together.

“While we will all miss the social contact of our physical events, our new series of digital events will ensure that the progression of our vital work continues.

“Recognising the financial constraints on businesses at this time, and with the support of Sport England, we've taken the decision to make all of these events free to access, to ensure our sector continues to learn and collaborate.”

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England, said: “Throughout this challenging time it has become obvious the critical role that sport, physical activity, leisure and fitness must play in our society, and that they are not seen as a luxury, but as being crucial to overall good health and wellbeing.

“Everyone needs to work together to rebuild and grow our sector to adapt to the inevitable behavioural and economic changes in the months and years ahead and innovative solutions like the Active Uprising and the National Summit events will provide a strong basis to help move us forward.”

For more information on these events, please visit the Active Uprising page and the National Summit page.