Greg Cooper, Babergh District Council’s new Be-Active Leisure Inclusion Officer is a man on a mission.   “I care for the development of all sports and believe that everyone should have the chance to join in.  My role gives me the opportunity to reach out to disabled and vulnerable youngsters, removing barriers to ensure their lives are as fulfilling as possible” said Greg. 

Although new to Babergh, Greg is no stranger to local government – having previously worked at Ipswich Borough Council as their Sports Development Officer.   In his spare time Greg coaches football and has close involvement with Ipswich Town Football Club and their Centre of Excellence for Girls. 

The ‘Be Active Leisure Inclusion’ initiative was established as an 18 month pilot scheme in 2002, which covered Sudbury and Great Cornard.  During the pilot, approximately 300 people took part in organised activities – and when surveyed, 92% of those who responded said they would not have taken part had it not been for the support of the Project. 

Greg is now seizing the baton and extending the scheme to cover the remainder of the Babergh district.  The scheme aims to widen and improve leisure participation opportunities for people with disabilities and vulnerable young people between the ages of 13–19 in South Suffolk. 

Over the coming months, Greg will be working in close partnership with Suffolk County Council’s Community Education and Social Care Services, the Re-think Disability Charity and the Babergh Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP), to identify areas of most need and tackle social exclusion. The Be-Active project will also be working pro-actively within communities to enable participation in sporting events and the sustainability of the project.