A MAJOR effort to combat inactivity across East Lancashire has taken thousands of people off the couch and into recreation.

Supporters of the £3m initiative Together an Active Future (TaAF) have been working since 2017 to design activity programmes to encourage people in Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale to improve their own physical health.

Research has now shown an estimated 9,100 people have been given the keys to unlocking a healthier future by TaAF and this achievement has been celebrated with the publication of their Staying Curious report.

Academics from the University of Liverpool - Gwilym Owen, Katie Fahy and Benjamin Barr - have demonstrated that, even with activity levels taking a hit during the pandemic, the relative inactivity levels for the six Pennine Lancashire borough in 2018 to 2021 dropped by 2.6 per cent.

The researchers said: "We found that the introduction of the TAAF scheme, which focused on building partnerships to promote community-based physical activity, led to lower levels of inactivity than would have been expected in the absence of the intervention.

"This seems to have been due to increased engagement in sport and fitness activities in the intervention population."

Work has continued since then to develop several more schemes to further these ambitions - including an award-winning Blackburn project - with plans already made to kick on with their goals for 2024.

A TaAF spokesman said: "The issue of physical inactivity and its detrimental effects on both physical and mental health is widely accepted.

"TaAF is not a fitness program, or a community sports development initiative. It represents a comprehensive approach that prioritises collaborative partnerships, engagement, and leadership development, seeking to change the way things work in local government, health and the third sector.

"By fostering collaboration between local leaders, organisations, and passionate individuals, TaAF aims to create change so that movement becomes an integral part of everyday life for everyone."

One key partner for the scheme has been Blackburn-based Creative Football, recently given an inclusion prize at the Northwest Football Awards for its work in promoting the beautiful game for men and women, of all ages, and people with disabilities.

The Witton Park venture is behind schemes such as Blokes United, Girls United and the Social Inclusion Football League (SIFL) and Academy

Four staff work with more than 70 volunteers to supporting 350-plus participants on a weekly basis with an additional 150 getting involved in social inclusion leagues.

One recent innovation has been their new Football to Fitness walking football sessions, for people with Parkinson’s disease and other long term health conditions.

Those struggling with mental illness at health provider Kemple View have also been assisted, using physical activity to support recovery work.

Another successful outlet last summer was joint work between Let's Move Hyndburn and the Accrington Stanley Community Trust to enable more supporters to walk to games at the Wham Stadium.

The effort was promoted in Stanley's match programmes and on matchday screens - before fans themselves were approached en-route to the ground to explain why they preferred the healthier option in attending games.

Last November the TaAF programme also welcomed their first cohort of 'middle leaders' - nine teachers from East Lancs schools tasked with spreading the activity message to pupils and parents.

Teaming up with Active Lancashire, the middle leaders are developing their own accreditation criteria. Another round of training is set to begin in February.

An over-arching approach in Burnley - under the umbrella of Outdoor Town - incorporating their popular Beat the Street activity scheme, has been discussed a Westminster.

A TaAF spokesman added: "In 2024 we’ll see partners being invited to participation workshops as part of our research process,.

"The research is co-produced and developmental for all colleagues working in the place and we will be sharing and engaging with all this knowledge and learning through our curiosity cafes.

"We have seen fantastic outcomes for place-based change so far this year and we are looking forward to what the New Year brings within our work to increase the opportunities for people to be more active across Pennine Lancashire."