At Hailsham Active CIC, we were originally formed to connect and support local sports clubs. Over time, our mission has expanded, building strong relationships with schools, councils, doctors’ surgeries, and a wide range of community groups. Our focus? Encouraging physical activity for better health and a stronger community.
A Meeting That Changed Our Perspective
One of the most eye-opening moments for me personally was meeting Scarlett McNally, a local orthopaedic consultant and author of the excellent book “Exercise: The Miracle Cure.” If you’re dealing with illness or looking to prevent future health issues, this book is well worth a read.
Among the many science-backed insights, a few key points stood out:
Bone health starts young: Without regular activity during childhood, bones may become a problem later in life, something Scarlett witnesses first-hand in her role.
Lifelong movement matters: Staying active into older age helps reduce pain, maintain mobility, and reduce the need for medical intervention.
Scarlett plotted a simple yet powerful graph, which shows that while most people live to around 80, those who exercise regularly are far more likely to enjoy a healthier, less painful life. In fact, regular physical activity can reduce the risk of major illness by around 50%. It’s not a guarantee and genetic factors still play a role but the evidence is compelling.
Why Supporting Local Sport Matters
So when we campaign for more grassroots sports facilities and funding, we’re not just talking about leisure, we’re actively supporting the NHS. Getting people moving helps prevent illness and reduces the strain on healthcare services.
Sometimes, this message puts us at odds with local planning decisions. It can feel like a constant uphill battle to protect green spaces, which are often seen as maintenance burdens rather than community assets.
Our message to councillors; work with us. We can help you stretch budgets further than you might think, and we’ve got real-world examples to prove it. If you’re a councillor reading this and want to learn more, please get in touch.
Supporting New Clubs – The Buzz of Bees Netball
In addition to supporting existing clubs, we’re regularly asked to help new ones get off the ground. One recent success story is Bees Netball in Hailsham, a club for 7–11-year-olds.
Founder Sharon Champion chose the James West Centre on Brunel Drive as the home for the new club, thanks to support from the ever-helpful Sue, the Centre Manager. Starting from just one or two attendees, the club has grown to 10 young players, and we’re sure that number will keep rising.
To support this grassroots initiative, we helped secure £480 in grant funding from Hailsham Town Council, with help from our grant specialist Annette Buswell and funding partner Lightning Fibre. The funds provided much needed equipment for the youngest team, affectionately known as The Stingers.
Fancy a Game?
Sharon is also involved in Bloom Netball, part of a growing movement offering fun and inclusive netball sessions for all abilities. Held at Hailsham School, Battle Road on Monday evenings at 6:30pm for just £5, the club now boasts 9 teams and counting, with the possibility of entering tournaments for those interested.
Working With Hailsham Town Council
We’re pleased to see positive progress with Hailsham Town Council’s Assets Committee, who are now engaging more with local sports clubs.
At the April meeting, we submitted two proposals:
Funding a new gate at Maurice Thornton Playing Fields, which we offered to fund ourselves due to internal budget issues. Thankfully, it was approved. We’re now awaiting further permissions from ESCC.
A collaborative pitch maintenance group: a partnership between local clubs and the council, bringing in the expertise of Paul Turner, a former groundsman for Brighton & Hove Albion. Paul brings invaluable insight into everything from grass cutting schedules to drainage and seed drilling. This kind of community grounded approach is already working well in Hellingly Parish, and we’re keen to expand it further, from Eastbourne to Uckfield and even as far as Arundel and Wimbledon!
A Personal Thank You to the NHS
While we work to help reduce long-term strain on the NHS through preventative action, it’s also important to say: we all need the NHS sometimes.
Recently, I experienced swallowing issues which I assumed were due to hay fever. Encouraged to call my GP, I was swiftly referred for an endoscopy. Within seven days, the procedure was done. Thankfully, no sign of cancer, just minor oesophageal issues that can be managed. The care, efficiency, and kindness I received were nothing short of exceptional.
So to all the NHS staff I encountered, thank you. You reminded me that while systemic issues may exist, the people delivering care are nothing short of incredible.
Final Thoughts
At Hailsham Active, we remain committed to promoting sport and physical activity as a path to healthier lives and stronger communities. Whether it’s helping children build better bones, supporting new clubs, or collaborating with councils, our mission is about more than just sport. It’s about changing lives and supporting the systems that support us all.
If you want to get involved, start a club, or support our efforts, reach out. Together, we can keep making a difference.