New Physical Activity and Sport Strategy for Glasgow 2025-2035 unveiled
A new strategy has been developed to make physical activity and sport a cornerstone of everyday life in Glasgow.
Active Glasgow: A Physical Activity and Sport Strategy for Glasgow 2025-2035 aims to make Glasgow a city where everyone thrives and its communities grow stronger through the benefits of physical activity and sport.
The plan – approved by Glasgow City Council’s City Administration Committee – was co-created by Glasgow Life and sector partners, who will work together to ensure Glasgow is a place where people are empowered to build physical activity and sport into their daily lives.
With an emphasis on using physical activity and sport to address health inequalities and champion equality, diversity and inclusion, the success of the strategy will be determined by its ability to positively influence Glasgow residents’ activity levels.
Its impact will be measured by monitoring changes in the environment, practices, processes and policies expected to boost physical activity and sport participation, as well as tracking evidence-based changes in physical activity levels within targeted communities and groups.
Partners including sport clubs and organisations; Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector; Health and Social Care; Education Services; Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability; the NHS; sportscotland; and Public Health Scotland will gather for the launch of Active Glasgow: A Physical and Sport Strategy for Glasgow 2025-2035 on Friday 13 June 2025 at the Emirates Arena.
In Glasgow, 34% of adults and 31% of children do not meet the NHS’ recommended physical activity guidelines of at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity per week. Participation in physical activity varies widely due to socio-economic, geographic and cultural factors.
The benefits of physical activity and sport are clear – being active leads to healthier, longer and happier lives. Physical activity and sport also lower the risk of disease, boost mental and physical wellbeing, and help close the gap in life expectancy between different communities.
Beyond health, an active society strengthens neighbourhoods, promotes community togetherness, and helps address inequalities in education, employment, the environment, and the economy.
Glasgow is in a great position to lead the way in creating an environment that supports and encourages physical activity.
The city has fantastic resources, from world-class facilities – including the Emirates Arena and the refurbished Kelvin Hall – to more than 90 parks, as well as a rich sporting heritage and vibrant communities.
One of the new ways in which partners will collaborate will see Glasgow Life, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) and Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) explore the development of a single point of physical activity referral management for people who need the most support to be active.
Glasgow Life, NHSGGC and Glasgow HSCP will work on developing the Live Active Exercise Referral scheme and the Live Well Community Referral programme together, so every patient or service user can get the right support to help them become more active.
Glasgow Life will also continue to work with the city’s education services to deliver and grow programmes and modern apprenticeships in sport leadership, sport coaching and industry standard qualifications to develop Glasgow’s young physical activity workforce and boost employment opportunities in the sector.
Glasgow City Council will widen access to quality public, green open spaces, green networks, active travel routes, and recreational and sport spaces. The Council will make sure there is continued engagement with communities, particularly women, so routes and spaces feel safe and welcoming.
All partners will collectively develop a communications plan which will operate while the Active Glasgow strategy is put in place. The plan will apply best practice principles to communications about physical activity, develop core messages and feature behaviour change campaigns to raise awareness of the many benefits of physical activity.
Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations, said: “Physical activity and sport have the power to boost mental and physical wellbeing, unite communities and transform lives. This strategy focuses on addressing the issues that prevent people from getting involved in physical activity by offering solutions to help more Glaswegians and visitors to our city get active and experience the benefits of an active lifestyle.
“The strategy has been shaped by partners’ experience and knowledge. It prioritises, among others, communities, places and spaces to make sure Glasgow’s physical activity and sport facilities are appropriately designed, created and maintained, while also being accessible, sustainable and of high-quality. Another of the strategy’s focuses is providing equitable and high-quality access to inclusive sport and active recreation for all, alongside embedding physical activity into appropriate, routine NHS health and social care services across the city.”
Dr Emilia Crighton, Director of Public Health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “The health benefits of physical activity and active living are well-known. Physical exercise is often branded a ‘miracle cure', due to the critical role it plays in improving physical and mental wellbeing and helping to address a range of illnesses and health conditions.
“NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is committed to caring for our population and this strategy will go a long way to embedding the benefits and opportunities for physical activity in our communities. Creating an environment where physical activity becomes the easy option for people is central to health and wellbeing, and it is at the heart of this strategy.
“The focus on accessibility, availability, existing community assets and greenspace, together with building confidence and skills for people of all ages, are critical to enabling this city to become an Active Glasgow – and therefore a healthier Glasgow.”
Paul Johnston, Chief Executive of Public Health Scotland, said: “We are delighted to see the launch of the Active Glasgow strategy, which aligns with our vision of a Scotland where everybody thrives. Implementation of this strategy will transform environments, infrastructure and services across Glasgow, making it easier for individuals to incorporate movement into their daily lives. Being physically active is hugely beneficial to improving our physical and mental health and contributes towards the prevention of illness and diseases.
“We hope this will be the first of many local strategies which will drive the necessary changes to create a healthier, more active Scotland. Public Health Scotland will continue to work in collaboration with partners to ensure all local plans are underpinned by evidence and aligned to Scotland’s Physical Activity for Health Framework.”
The Active Glasgow: A Physical Activity and Sport Strategy for Glasgow 2025-2035 can be read in full on the Glasgow Life website.