Fit Villages

Fit Villages is a community-driven initiative to improve the health and well-being of people in rural Suffolk. By offering a variety of physical activity sessions, we bring communities together, reduce social isolation, and help individuals of all ages stay active and engaged.

We collaborate with local communities to provide tailored activities such as Pilates, Yoga, Table Tennis, Nordic Walking, Zumba, Badminton, Keep Fit, Walking Football, and more—all hosted in accessible local venues like community centres, village halls, libraries, and playing fields. Our activities are designed to suit each village's needs, ensuring everyone can participate, regardless of ability or age.

Fit Villages is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, which supports efforts to address inactivity, reduce social isolation, and mitigate the risk of mental health challenges.

We take a collaborative, community-first approach to ensure the success of every project. Fit Village Activators—local volunteers with a passion for physical activity and community engagement—play a central role in helping us engage with residents. Together, we conduct surveys to gather input on the types of activities that best suit the community's needs, preferred days, and times. This ensures our programs remain relevant and sustainable, with 90% of projects continuing long-term.

We provide practical support by sourcing qualified local instructors, covering hall hire fees, equipment costs, marketing and promotion, and even providing session refreshments. For the first 8 weeks, we subsidise costs to make activities affordable for everyone. After this initial period, we continue to support the village and instructor by helping to promote the programme and offering guidance where needed to ensure its ongoing success.

If you're interested in bringing Fit Villages to your area or have any questions about the program, please get in touch at fitvillages@activesuffolk.org.