Rise North East Commits to Equity in Physical Activity by Signing Global Declaration

The International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport is proud to announce that Rise, a leading health and wellbeing charity operating across the North East of England, has officially signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration.

While acknowledging the role that physical activity plays in improving lives, communities, and places, Rise recognises that significant barriers remain. By joining a global network of over 700 signatories, the organisation aims to share its regional learnings on a global stage while drawing on international best practices to support inactive women and girls in their local communities.

Rise’s approach tackles persistent barriers by embedding inclusive practices at every life stage. To empower the next generation, the charity supports local schools in using youth voice to shape their planning and ensure activities are accessible to, as well as desirable for, girls.

In the wider community, Rise is building on the successes of the This Girl Can Newcastle campaign. As a result of the campaign’s targeted efforts in partnership with Newcastle City Council, local groups are now better equipped to provide safe, culturally relevant physical activity opportunities for pregnant women, new mothers, and ethnically diverse communities.

Through the Every Move Matters initiative, Rise also supports mid-life and older women. Working alongside Primary Care networks, the organisation proactively screens and supports women through physical activity interventions tailored for perimenopause and menopause.

Clare Morley, CEO of Rise, shared the ambition behind the commitment:

"Movement, physical activity and sport can be life-changing and transform communities – but they’re not always as accessible as they should be. With women and girls’ participation in physical activity and sport still trailing below that of men and boys, we’re committed to eliminating that gender gap, and being a signatory is an important statement of intent that we can be held accountable to.”

Lisa O’Keefe, Secretary General of the International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG), welcomed the charity to the global movement:

"We are thrilled to welcome Rise to our network. Their dedication to tackling inequalities at every life stage embodies the principles of the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration. By sharing their innovative, place-based approaches with our global community, Rise’s insights will be invaluable in our mission to achieve sustainable gender equity in physical activity."