Get Out Get Active partners come together for fifth national event

On Tuesday 12 October, we held our Get Out Get Active (GOGA) fifth annual conference. Hosted virtually over three days, the conference showcased the programme’s impact across the UK.

Every year, we bring together the people who work tirelessly across our GOGA locations and showcase their work. This year, we held seven virtual sessions over the three days. Many of the sessions shared learnings and insight from different GOGA projects.  Over 130 people attended including our programme funders, local and national partners, and external partners from across the UK.

With the ongoing commitment, support, and flexibility of our three funders, Spirit of 2012, Sport England, and London Marathon Charitable Trust, GOGA continues to support disabled and non-disabled people to be active together in fun and inclusive ways.

Opening the conference, Kat Southwell, Head of Programmes at Activity Alliance (GOGA’s lead partner), welcomed funders and partners to the virtual conference room. 

The joy of Get Out Get Active is not just seeing people get active but seeing them do it on their own terms.

Ruth Hollis, Chief Executive for founding funder Spirit of 2012

GOGA really transforms how we work with people locally and nationally to tackle inequalities. During the COVID-19 pandemic partners adapted to keep people active at a local level which means people will stay active.

Mike Diaper, Director Executive Director for Children, Young People and Tackling Inequalities for Sport England

GOGA ticks all the boxes for us. It's inclusive, well managed and ambitious in its scope. We think it’s great how GOGA inspires so much confidence and helps people develop other skills through being physically active.

 Catherine Anderson, Executive Director for London Marathon Charitable Trust

During the event, local partners showcased how they have adapted their activities to suit communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. From activity packs being delivered in the post to online activity sessions. Providers across the country have found a way to reach people.

We heard how many GOGA projects took the time during lockdown restrictions to create connections with partner organisations and co-produce activities with potential participants for when they feel confident and comfortable to take part.

Conversations in the breakout rooms featured how activities have adapted to being held both virtually and socially distanced. Partners shared how they have re-engaged with the least active disabled and non-disabled people in their communities after months of uncertainty.

GOGA activities thrive on the social connectedness and many of our partners have incorporated extra time in online sessions or created other means for people to stay connected, and even enjoy a virtual cup of tea and cake together whilst in lockdown.

Getting out and active during the COVID-19 pandemic led to our partners being even more creative. We are extremely proud how localities have risen to this difficult challenge, and we are excited to see how our partners develop the interventions over the next few years.

 Thank you to everyone who made the event run so well.