Woking "faces health crisis" according to leading Surrey sports organisation

Active Surrey say that Woking has the least active children in the county.

Woking faces a health crisis, according to Active Surrey
Author: Alex DukePublished 10th Oct 2023

A sports organisation in Surrey have claimed that Woking is facing a health crisis

Active Surrey have outlined the situation which they described as "critical", saying that Woking has the highest child poverty rate in the county, the least active children and ranks second from bottom on swimming capability

As well as this, they say that one in three adults does less than 30 mins of physical activity a week, and ranks second highest for adult obesity in Surrey.

They've called for local Surrey MPs, Woking Borough Council, community leaders, and stakeholders to "join forces" and "find alternative solutions".

.Active Surrey has also called for people to sign a petition to save Woking's Pool In The Park as uncertainty continues about its future.

**"Feels like a looming health crisis"**

A consultation process is open until the twelfth of November - with council leader Anne Marie Barker saying it's "vitally important" that residents submit their views.

Active Surrey said that "Alongside the pool, Woking, Eastwood, and Sportsbox leisure centres, 13 sports pitches and pavilions, Dance Woking and participation in the Specsavers Surrey Youth Games, all face the threat of having funding removed."

They went on to say that "These cuts will exacerbate inequalities, making it even harder for children and adults in Woking, who are already grappling with poor health outcomes, to access essential facilities."

"There's a saying that if physical activity were a medication it would be the most widely prescribed and the most beneficial medication available, and we want everyone to be able to access that."

Elizabeth Duggan, who is the the Chief Executive of Active Surrey, said "60% of our children are not active enough in Woking to meet Chief Medical Officer guidelines... that feels like a looming health crisis."

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.