Tendring residents are enjoying a better quality of life according to new national figures showing a significant improvement in health and wellbeing.

Latest data from Sport England’s Active Lives Survey, covering November 2024 to November 2025, shows a 9.5 percentage point increase in activity levels across Tendring – meaning people are doing more things like walking, cycling, going to the gym or doing team sports.

At the same time, inactivity – defined as doing fewer than 30 minutes of activity a week – has fallen by 5.6 percentage points, meaning around 13,500 fewer adults are now inactive compared with 10 years ago, when the study was first published.

This puts Tendring in line with regional and national averages for the first time in many years — with the district recording the third highest reduction in inactivity in the country since this research was first collated and the strongest improvement anywhere in Essex.

Councillor Mick Barry, Tendring District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Public Realm, said these latest results mark a real turning point.

"This is an outstanding achievement for Tendring and something everyone involved should be incredibly proud of," he said.

“For many years we have known the scale of the challenge, so to see such a strong improvement - the best in Essex - is fantastic.

“It means more of our residents are living healthier, more active lives, which will have a lasting impact on wellbeing and life expectancy across our communities.

"We are proud of the services we deliver for our residents, including our leisure services, and the role they play in supporting healthier, more active lives.

"Just as importantly, this reflects the strength of our partnerships. By working closely with organisations across the district, we are committed to continuing to improve the quality of life for our residents.”

The figures reflect years of partnership working across the district, including collaboration with Active Essex, health partners, sports clubs, community organisations and volunteers.

Together, they have worked to make physical activity more accessible, inclusive and part of everyday life.

The council’s Sport and Activity Strategy, which focuses on taking activity beyond traditional settings and into local communities, has also been central to this progress. Evidence of growing engagement can also be seen in the use of council leisure facilities, with prepaid memberships increasing from around 1,800 before the pandemic to approximately 6,000 today.

Programmes linked to the Sport England-funded Essex Local Delivery Pilot have also supported more residents to get active in ways that work for them — particularly those who face the greatest barriers.

Last year, Tendring reinforced its commitment to building on this momentum by hosting its first-ever Sports and Activity Conference at the Princes Theatre in Clacton. The event brought together sports clubs, coaches, partners and wellbeing champions to share ideas and shape the future of activity in the district.

The conference showcased a range of new initiatives, including plans for new playzones, a cycle facility at Clacton Leisure Centre, new grant schemes, and targeted activities for residents with disabilities and life-limiting conditions — all aimed at helping more people to be active, more often.

Councillor Barry added: "We know the health challenges we face, from lower healthy life expectancy in some areas to high levels of childhood obesity.

“That’s why our work is focused on making activity part of everyday life - whether that’s walking, cycling, gardening or taking part in organised sport.

“There is still more to do, but these latest figures are a clear sign we are heading in the right direction.”