Introducing the Active Communities Counsel

We’re introducing the Active Communities Counsel (ACC) – a community-led initiative created to hold space for honest conversation, shared learning, and collective progress within the active lifestyle space

The Active Communities Counsel builds on Aspire’s Moving Communities platform, but its purpose is clear: to listen to, learn from, and be guided by the lived experiences of people shaping movement at ground level. The Counsel exists to ensure conversations around diversity, representation, and accessibility in movement are heard, respected, and approached with care.

The first gathering of the Active Communities Counsel took place at The National Running Show, bringing together a curated group of community leaders for an open, honest roundtable focused on running, representation, and real change. The conversation explored lived experiences within the running space, barriers to participation, and reflections on what progress could look like beyond conversation alone.

This initial gathering marks the beginning of a longer-term programme, with the Active Communities Counsel designed to grow organically and create space for ongoing listening, learning, and collaboration.

A big thank you to the community leaders who joined us and shared their stories, perspectives, and lived experience. We’re grateful for the openness and care that shaped the conversation, and to Raccoon Media Group for their continued support and for hosting us.

Further reflections from the first roundtable will be shared soon.