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Blog
We’re all Active Calderdale - and our case studies and helpful resources will help you find out more about what that means across our community. Meet our Active Champions and find tips to help you get started. When we move, we’re stronger.
News
Park Ward challenge success
Over 400 residents and 14 local organisations came together to take part in the Park Ward Around the World Challenge, a community-led physical activity initiative designed to encourage people to move more while strengthening community connections. Created through a series of co-design sessions involving local organisations and community representatives, the challenge was built around a simple but ambitious goal: work together to complete a virtual journey around the world by
Active Calderdale
6 days ago3 min read
Building confidence through self-defence at The Space
Feeling safe and confident in your community is something everyone deserves. That's why The Space @ Field Lane Community Hub recently hosted a free self-defence workshop for women, empowering residents with practical skills and increased confidence. The idea for the workshop came directly from conversations with women in the community. Through informal discussions with residents, staff at The Space identified concerns around personal safety, particularly when walking alone at
Active Calderdale
6 days ago2 min read
A magic weekend for the Panthers' LDSL team
Event: Magic Weekend 2026 Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool Fixture: Halifax Panthers LDSL vs Sheffield Eagles LDSL (2 matches) Halifax Panthers Learning Disability Super League team had the privilege of taking part in Magic Weekend, one of rugby league's showcase events, at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. Nineteen players travelled to represent the club, with every member of the squad featuring across two fixtures against Sheffield Eagles LDSL. The event prov
Active Calderdale
Jul 293 min read
Parks & green spaces
Ben’s Story: A whole different ball game
I’m Ben, I’m 19, and I live in Mixenden. Before the new basketball court was built at Mixenden Urban Park, the old one was basically unusable. The surface was uneven and covered in loose, broken rocks, and the hoops were bent, distorted, and missing nets. Basketball has always been a passion of mine, but this was the only court anywhere near me. Because of how bad it was, I could only spend an hour or so a week practising, and even then, it was hard to get anything out of it.
Active Calderdale
Dec 10, 20251 min read
Bringing North Halifax parks to life
North Halifax Partnership (NHP) is a community-driven organisation dedicated to improving wellbeing and public services across North Halifax. One of the ways NHP brings people together is through inclusive, family-friendly events held in local parks, many of which have been enhanced through the Active Parks fund. These improvements are already making a difference, creating safer, more welcoming spaces for residents to enjoy and increasing park usage throughout the year. Belo
Active Calderdale
Dec 10, 20252 min read
Breaking down barriers for events in parks
Calderdale’s parks and green spaces are some of our greatest assets, places where people come together to relax, play, celebrate, and get active. The more our parks are used, the safer and more welcoming they become for everyone. That’s why Calderdale Council has been working to make it easier for local groups, charities, and organisations to host events and activities in our parks and green spaces. Breaking down barriers In the past, one of the biggest barriers to organisin
Active Calderdale
Nov 10, 20252 min read
People like me
Joanne's Active Teams story
Joanne Aston, 58, from Littleborough, working in Todmorden I have always been active, but probably even more so over the last 35 years, especially after having my children. Being active has always been something I enjoy. Whether it's walking, running, getting out into the hills, spending time in parks or following canal paths, I love being outdoors and enjoying the fresh air. Alongside outdoor activities, I've also enjoyed a variety of gym classes over the years, including ki
Active Calderdale
Jul 163 min read
Jill's Active Teams story
Before joining Active Teams, I was already reasonably active. I attended the gym three to five times a week, with my main focus being weight training, alongside some light cardio on the exercise bike and regular walking. If I'm honest, I would have firmly placed myself in the "no cardio" category. Having been plus-size all my life, cardio never felt particularly comfortable for me and, when I was younger, it was something I avoided for a variety of reasons. Discovering Active
Active Calderdale
Jul 162 min read
Rediscovering People's Park
Tazim Akhtar - 54, Park Ward Before joining the walking group, I wasn’t very active apart from looking after my grandchildren. I spent a lot of time at home, and because I enjoy sewing, much of my day involved sitting down. Over time, this led to weight gain as well as back problems and general aches and pains. When I was younger, I was always active, but as I’ve gotten older, that has changed. I realised I needed to start moving more again, otherwise my health would continue
Active Calderdale
Jun 252 min read
Schools & education
Old Earth school pupils leading the change
Old Earth Primary School has been working with Modeshift to help make journeys to and from school safer, healthier and more sustainable. Through the Modeshift STARS and Active Travel Inspectors (ATI) programmes, pupils are playing an active role in identifying practical improvements that could encourage more people to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport for everyday journeys. Pupils at the Heart of the Project The project brings together several partners, including Mod
Active Calderdale
Jul 92 min read
St Malachy’s leading the way in Calderdale
Active Calderdale is continuing to support St Malachy’s Primary School in Halifax as it strengthens its commitment to active and sustainable travel. Working in partnership with Calderdale’s Modeshift Officer, Sophie Kirkby, the school is developing its Travel Plan and encouraging more pupils and families to walk, wheel, cycle and scoot to school. St Malachy’s achievements were recently celebrated during a WOW – Park & Stride event delivered by Living Streets, where the school
Active Calderdale
Jul 12 min read
STARS funding for Calderdale schools
Primary schools across Calderdale are being supported to make journeys to school healthier, safer, and more sustainable through the Modeshift STARS accreditation scheme. The national programme helps schools develop and deliver travel plans that encourage pupils and families to choose active and sustainable travel options such as walking, wheeling, cycling, and public transport. By reducing car use around school gates, the initiative also helps tackle issues like congestion,
Active Calderdale
Mar 112 min read
Health & Social Care
Joanne's Active Teams story
Joanne Aston, 58, from Littleborough, working in Todmorden I have always been active, but probably even more so over the last 35 years, especially after having my children. Being active has always been something I enjoy. Whether it's walking, running, getting out into the hills, spending time in parks or following canal paths, I love being outdoors and enjoying the fresh air. Alongside outdoor activities, I've also enjoyed a variety of gym classes over the years, including ki
Active Calderdale
Jul 163 min read
Jill's Active Teams story
Before joining Active Teams, I was already reasonably active. I attended the gym three to five times a week, with my main focus being weight training, alongside some light cardio on the exercise bike and regular walking. If I'm honest, I would have firmly placed myself in the "no cardio" category. Having been plus-size all my life, cardio never felt particularly comfortable for me and, when I was younger, it was something I avoided for a variety of reasons. Discovering Active
Active Calderdale
Jul 162 min read
Supporting health and wellbeing at North Halifax PCN
Through our workplace wellbeing project, Active Calderdale worked with North Halifax Primary Care Network (PCN) and staff from two of its GP practices to explore simple ways of building more movement into the working day. Before joining the project, the PCN had identified a growing need to support staff wellbeing. Many team members spent long periods working at desks and on computers, with limited opportunities to take breaks or be physically active during the day. Together,
Active Calderdale
Jul 163 min read
Workplaces
Joanne's Active Teams story
Joanne Aston, 58, from Littleborough, working in Todmorden I have always been active, but probably even more so over the last 35 years, especially after having my children. Being active has always been something I enjoy. Whether it's walking, running, getting out into the hills, spending time in parks or following canal paths, I love being outdoors and enjoying the fresh air. Alongside outdoor activities, I've also enjoyed a variety of gym classes over the years, including ki
Active Calderdale
Jul 163 min read
Jill's Active Teams story
Before joining Active Teams, I was already reasonably active. I attended the gym three to five times a week, with my main focus being weight training, alongside some light cardio on the exercise bike and regular walking. If I'm honest, I would have firmly placed myself in the "no cardio" category. Having been plus-size all my life, cardio never felt particularly comfortable for me and, when I was younger, it was something I avoided for a variety of reasons. Discovering Active
Active Calderdale
Jul 162 min read
Supporting health and wellbeing at North Halifax PCN
Through our workplace wellbeing project, Active Calderdale worked with North Halifax Primary Care Network (PCN) and staff from two of its GP practices to explore simple ways of building more movement into the working day. Before joining the project, the PCN had identified a growing need to support staff wellbeing. Many team members spent long periods working at desks and on computers, with limited opportunities to take breaks or be physically active during the day. Together,
Active Calderdale
Jul 163 min read
Voluntary & community
Park Ward challenge success
Over 400 residents and 14 local organisations came together to take part in the Park Ward Around the World Challenge, a community-led physical activity initiative designed to encourage people to move more while strengthening community connections. Created through a series of co-design sessions involving local organisations and community representatives, the challenge was built around a simple but ambitious goal: work together to complete a virtual journey around the world by
Active Calderdale
6 days ago3 min read
Building confidence through self-defence at The Space
Feeling safe and confident in your community is something everyone deserves. That's why The Space @ Field Lane Community Hub recently hosted a free self-defence workshop for women, empowering residents with practical skills and increased confidence. The idea for the workshop came directly from conversations with women in the community. Through informal discussions with residents, staff at The Space identified concerns around personal safety, particularly when walking alone at
Active Calderdale
6 days ago2 min read
Supporting the growth of girls' rugby at Siddal
In February 2025, a new Under 16s girls' rugby team was established at Siddal Rugby Club by just five players and two committed volunteers. At the time, there were no local rugby opportunities available for girls in this age group, leaving many young people without access to the sport. Since then, the team has gone from strength to strength. Thanks to the dedication of players, coaches and volunteers, the squad has grown to more than 20 players, supported by up to four coache
Active Calderdale
Jul 133 min read
Active Inspiration
Park Ward challenge success
Over 400 residents and 14 local organisations came together to take part in the Park Ward Around the World Challenge, a community-led physical activity initiative designed to encourage people to move more while strengthening community connections. Created through a series of co-design sessions involving local organisations and community representatives, the challenge was built around a simple but ambitious goal: work together to complete a virtual journey around the world by
Active Calderdale
6 days ago3 min read
A magic weekend for the Panthers' LDSL team
Event: Magic Weekend 2026 Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool Fixture: Halifax Panthers LDSL vs Sheffield Eagles LDSL (2 matches) Halifax Panthers Learning Disability Super League team had the privilege of taking part in Magic Weekend, one of rugby league's showcase events, at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. Nineteen players travelled to represent the club, with every member of the squad featuring across two fixtures against Sheffield Eagles LDSL. The event prov
Active Calderdale
Jul 293 min read
Rediscovering People's Park
Tazim Akhtar - 54, Park Ward Before joining the walking group, I wasn’t very active apart from looking after my grandchildren. I spent a lot of time at home, and because I enjoy sewing, much of my day involved sitting down. Over time, this led to weight gain as well as back problems and general aches and pains. When I was younger, I was always active, but as I’ve gotten older, that has changed. I realised I needed to start moving more again, otherwise my health would continue
Active Calderdale
Jun 252 min read
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