Young girls at Burnley High School are stepping into a more active future thanks to a generous donation of over forty pairs of trainers from the Sweaty Betty Foundation as part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) Let’s Move! Campaign.

The Let’s Move! campaign encourages children across Lancashire aged 7-11 to be more physically active by breaking down the barriers that prevent them from taking part in sport and exercise. The campaign aims to help children and young people achieve the NHS recommendation of 60 minutes of daily activity, which can start with 10 minutes.

The trainers were awarded to Together an Active Future with a clear purpose: to help remove barriers that prevent girls from participating in sport and physical activity. Our Active Schools Lead, Helen Newman, quickly identified Burnley High School as an ideal partner.

Burnley High School has been on an inspiring journey to develop a stronger culture of physical activity and wellbeing over the past year. The school has recently committed to joining TaAF’s Secondary School Leadership Programme, demonstrating its ambition to further embed sport and physical activity into school life and create positive opportunities for young people.

Helen Newman comments:

“It has always been an ambition of mine to secure funding, donations and opportunities like this and, hopefully one day, even establish a charity that can provide local children with the trainers, clothing and equipment they need to lead active lifestyles.”

What the school said…

The trainers have already had a significant impact on the girls who’ve received them, helping boost their confidence, improve inclusion, and encourage greater participation in sport and physical activity.

Assistant Headteacher Mr Roberts says:

“The girls are absolutely buzzing with their trainers! Things like this can make a real difference to our pupils. Thank you so much.”

And some of the student’s appreciation is shared below:

“Having the right trainers means I can take part in sport and physical activities without feeling different to everyone else. They give me confidence to join in, be active and enjoy spending time with my friends.”

“These trainers will make a big difference to me because I love being active. Having proper sports kit helps me feel comfortable and ready to take part in PE, clubs and activities both in and out of school.”

“Receiving these trainers has made me feel supported and valued. Having the right footwear means I can focus on enjoying sport, improving my fitness and being more confident when trying new activities.”

“Being active is important to me because it helps me stay healthy and feel good about myself. These trainers will help me take part more often and make the most of every opportunity.”

“Sometimes it’s the small things that make the biggest difference. Having a new pair of trainers means I can join in with confidence, stay active and not worry about whether I have the right kit.”

The initiative highlights the power of partnership in tackling inequalities and ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to enjoy the physical, social and mental benefits of being active. Through the support of the Sweaty Betty Foundation and DCMS, and the commitment of schools like Burnley High, barriers are being removed and opportunities created for girls to thrive through sport and physical activity.

Millie Pattison from the Sweaty Betty Foundation remarks:

“For too many girls, not having the right kit can be the difference between getting active and missing out. Something as simple as a new pair of trainers can help build confidence and make girls feel like they belong. One girl described receiving her trainers as ‘like opening your new self’ – a powerful reminder of the difference the right support can make.

We’re proud to have partnered with DCMS on the Let’s Move! campaign, helping more girls across the UK get active and enjoy movement.”

Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock responds:

“It’s fantastic to see ‘Let’s Move!’ and our partnership with the Sweaty Betty Foundation making such a tangible difference to these young girls.

Whether it’s targeted initiatives like this, our £400 million of funding for grassroots facilities or the £1 billion we’re investing in school sport, this Government is determined to break down barriers and make it easier for people to lead healthy, active lives.”

Learn more about Active Schools and the Let’s Move campaign

Learn more about our Active Schools workstream, click here

The next phase of the Let’s Move campaign will commence in the Autumn. Find out more about the Let’s Move campaign, click here

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NELP have identified nine ‘conditions’ that may be necessary for place-based approaches to address inequalities.  Each condition is itself made up of a range of activities and ways of working that combine to contribute to positive change.  NELP’s understanding of these ‘conditions’ has derived from explanations of change reflected in the process evaluations submitted by Place Partnerships nationwide, including TaAF.

The System Maturity Matrix provides descriptors of different levels of maturity in relation to these nine conditions and this has helped actors reflect on the extent to which conditions are present in the place-based system in which they are working.  If you’d like to learn more about the System Maturity Conditions for Place-based Systemic Approaches to Physical Activity Inequalities click here.

Following analysis based on these conditions, TaAF is proud to be regarded as a ‘mature system partner’.  In addition, each of our network leads have received feedback for their individual areas.

“Thanks again for the time and effort that you [TaAF] and your partners and colleagues have put into responding to the NELP CCA surveys and moderation process over the last few months”, NELP comment.

The NELP moderation process is extremely thorough and designed to ensure they have consistency of interpretation of the system maturity levels across different places. To achieve this our NELP lead Rachael McHugh, has participated in a series of meetings to discuss the individual conditions with other Place Partners across the country (click here if you’d like to watch the recordings), attended moderation meetings and provided further information where required.

TaAF developed a helpful set of questions to guide colleagues through the NELP Systems Maturity Matrix Survey — check them out here.

In this blog we share the nine ‘Conditions for Change’ against which we TaAF, have been measured:

The conditions for change and their definitions are:

Identifying the barriers and enablers of physical activity

There is process for developing a deep understanding and (shared) knowledge of what supports and/or prevents people being physically active, within the local context.

Actions which are based on a deep understanding of the barriers and enablers of physical activity are more likely to lead to effective and sustainable outcomes. Sharing knowledge of barriers and enablers can help drive a common purpose and common strategy – increasing likelihood of collective impact on what matters most.

Organisational policies, processes, and structures enable place-based working

Policies, administrative systems, structures and processes effectively enable and encourage place-based ways of working to address inequalities.

The ways in which organisations work together, and how they engage with communities, are often shaped by their organisational structures, policies, and practices. This includes the ways in which information is captured, used, and shared, or not. For example, how team structures align with communities and partners, the ways in which success is measured, and who is able to make or influence decisions. These processes affect how we view and relate to people and communities, with real impacts in people’s lives, but they often go unnoticed or taken for granted. Effective Place-based working requires us to proactively identify, challenge and change these systemic factors.

Capacity and capability across the workforce, volunteers and in communities

Action to develop capacity and capability across the workforce, volunteers, and communities to work in a place-based systemic approach to enable physical activity.

Specific skill sets and attributes are needed to for this type of responsive working. (E.g. to identify barriers and enablers, distribute leadership and collaborate). These skill sets and attributes are not inherently present amongst the existing workforce, volunteers, and communities. Alternative skill sets and attributes can actively block progress. Strategies for building capacity and capability, tailored to the local context, can increase competence and motivation to act in ways which are conducive to tackling physical activity inequalities.

Collaboration

There is productive partnership working around a common purpose.

Working with different organisations can help to drive innovative physical activity policy and practice by drawing on different skill sets, and increase impact by reducing duplication and/or pooling resources. Working with different organisations can support shared problem solving and unravel contradictions in local systems which prevent physical activity or contribute to inequalities.

Leadership

Policymakers, workforce, volunteers and residents act together to build on strengths and remove barriers for tackling physical activity inequalities.

When decision making, resources and initiatives are less centralised, people in all roles can contribute towards enabling active lives. Everyone’s contribution is equally valued. Established leaders can use their power to legitimise physical activity (alone or as a recognised aspect of wellbeing/thriving/prevention), challenge prevailing views and structures which create inequalities, and prioritise whole system and place-based ways of working.
Individuals across multiple layers of society, including people who are inactive, can shape decisions about what works to enable physical activity; this can lead to better strategies and outcomes.

Community Led Action

Action is shaped and led by communities and supported by community-focused strategies.

When community members engage at their pace and in spaces that they can shape, they are more likely to engage and collaborate. This approach often leads to more appropriate actions that enable physical activity. Where there is community-led action on wider inequalities then the this may contribute to a sense of ownership and control over their own lives.

Cultures and practices that enable physical activity

There is a culturally inclusive social environment for physical activity which enables people to move more in ways that suit them.

How physically active we are is shaped by the cultural contexts of our lives; what behaviours we intuitively feel are normal and expected for ‘people like us’. This may vary with the contexts of our lives, whether we are at work or school, with family or engaging with wider interest groups and communities around us.

People may not relate to those they see engaging in physical activity, due to identity or culturally based differences, including gender, (dis) ability, social class, sexual orientation or ethnicity. These feelings maybe reinforced by practical barriers, such as clothing or equipment needed, or past experiences of exclusion, humiliation or shame. By working respectfully and constructively with people within less active communities and groups, we may find ways to enable changes in perceptions, beliefs, practices and values.

Built & natural environments that enable physical activity

Local natural and built environments are attractive, accessible and safe, encouraging movement and physical activity.

Actual and perceived characteristics of the natural and built environment affect physical activity behaviours. Accessible, appropriate, affordable and safe environments are unequally distributed in society, but appropriate design and/or management of such spaces can help to address this. This may include access to blue and green spaces, urban planning, and workplace design.

Cycles of learning and action

There are appropriate methods in place to learn from experience and, over time, improve place-based working to address physical inactivity.

Physical inactivity inequalities are the result of multiple interacting influences, which makes it difficult to understand cause and effect in simple terms. We have to accept that some degree of uncertainty and partial knowledge.

We can, however, build better understanding of how particular actions and ideas work and the contexts in which they typically do or do not.  Gathering and apply this information can provide ‘decision support’ to guide future actions in context.

These conditions represent our current understanding, based on existing theory and emerging evidence; however, they may be refined as our understanding of systemic transformation grows.

The above text has been extracted from NELP’s ‘Overview of the conceptual model and conditions for tackling inequalities in physical activity‘.  To read the document, click here.

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While conferences are often viewed as opportunities to disseminate findings, this felt like something more. It was an opportunity to contribute to a growing international conversation about how we understand, evaluate and learn from complex systems working to tackle physical inactivity and health inequalities.

The conference brought together researchers from physical activity, health, nutrition, education and behavioural science. That convergence matters. The challenges facing communities do not sit neatly within sector boundaries, and neither should our responses. Place-based working is, by definition, cross-sector work. It involves health systems, local government, schools, community organisations, transport, environment, culture and residents themselves.

Several presentations connected directly to work taking place across Pennine Lancashire and the wider Sport England Place Partnership ecosystem, including for our National Evaluation and Learning Partnership.

Professor Stuart Fairclough‘s presentation, ‘When an Intervention isn’t an Intervention’, explored the challenges of evaluating partner-designed whole-school physical activity programmes. His reflections on balancing research rigour with the realities of implementation resonated strongly with researchers. Schools change, partnerships evolve and priorities shift. In these environments, maintaining the conditions required for traditional intervention research can be difficult. Yet there was a clear recognition that teacher stories, explanatory accounts and learning from implementation still matter if we are to understand what is happening in real-world systems.

Research presented by Mhairi MacDonald explored relationships between children’s movement behaviours and perceived physical literacy. While the findings identified some positive associations with vigorous physical activity, they also suggested that movement behaviours alone may not fully explain how children develop confidence, competence, motivation and connection to physical activity. This reinforces the importance of understanding the wider environments and experiences that shape participation.

Lauren Hall presented findings from the Lifestyle Hub, a referral pathway supporting physical activity and weight management across Pennine Lancashire. The study demonstrated substantial reach, generating almost 16,000 referrals and strong levels of assessment uptake. However, significant inequalities remained in programme outcomes, particularly by ethnicity and age. The findings highlight an important lesson for place-based work: creating opportunities is not always enough. Understanding who benefits, who does not, and why, remains a critical challenge for those in our place facilitating referral pathways.

A poster presentation on Burnley Outdoor Town, sharing four years of learning from a collaborative movement linking physical activity, climate action and community wellbeing, was presented all day Wednesday. What surprised me most was that many researchers were interested not only in the outcomes but in the developmental evaluation approach underpinning the work. Conversations frequently focused on how learning had been embedded within delivery, how partners made sense of complexity together and how tensions were treated as opportunities for learning rather than implementation failures.

Congratulations to Burnley #OutdoorTown and its partners for showing that when learning, collaboration and community are placed at the heart of change, local action can generate insights with international relevance. There was particular interest in the use of realist-informed developmental evaluation and the National Evaluation and Learning Partnership’s Conditions for Change framework and maturity matrix, developed by colleagues who have helped shape much of our thinking within TaAF.

I also presented early findings from my PhD, The River of Utilisation: From Insight to Action, Who Cares and Who Acts on Findings? The research explores how evidence travels through systems and how learning becomes action. Drawing on experiences from TaAF and Sport England’s place-based work, I argued that evaluation use is often relational, emotional and iterative. Learning moves through trust, dialogue, translation and shared sense-making rather than through reports alone. The response was encouraging, particularly from researchers grappling with similar questions about how to bridge the gap between evidence generation and practical action in complex systems.

One personal reflection from the week was just how challenging it can be to occupy the space between traditional research and systems change practice.  Many conferences, including ISBNPA, are built around interventions, outcomes, effect sizes and study designs. These remain important foundations of scientific progress. Yet for those of us working in place-based systems, the reality often looks very different.

“Systems work rarely begins with a neatly defined intervention. It rarely follows a fixed protocol. Boundaries shift as new partners join, communities identify different priorities and opportunities emerge. The work is adaptive by necessity”.

For researchers using realist, developmental and systems-informed approaches, this creates a tension. Traditional research often seeks stability, control and predefined endpoints. Systems research requires responsiveness, adaptation and learning in real time.

Over several intense days of discussion, there was growing recognition that some of the most important changes occurring within places cannot always be captured through conventional evaluation approaches alone. This does not mean abandoning rigour. Rather, it means expanding our understanding of what rigour looks like in complex systems. Rigour can be found in transparent theory-building, systematic reflection, triangulation of multiple data sources, participatory sense-making, realist explanation, and long-term learning cycles.

For TaAF, perhaps the most important lesson is that we are part of a much bigger conversation. If systems approaches are now being scaled nationally, understanding how learning travels, how partnerships evolve, how inequalities are addressed and how local systems sustain change may be just as important as understanding the effectiveness of any individual intervention.

Place-based systems work does not really end. Relationships continue. Learning accumulates. Policy contexts shift. Communities evolve. Success is often less about delivering a single intervention and more about creating the conditions for positive change to continue long after a project has formally closed. It’s true TaAF style: the best conversation happened around the formal program; lots of physical activity, long chats over dinner and even some yoga at the airport help many of us to build and strengthen connections to those in systems research and evaluation; because sometimes research of our work can be seen as outside of the work, and as our National Evaluation and Learning Partner has identified, it’s very much the key ingredient of maturing those conditions for change.

Perhaps one of the biggest opportunities ahead is not simply influencing local systems. It is helping influence the systems of research, evaluation and evidence generation themselves. In that sense, sharing TaAF’s learning internationally is not the end of the journey. It is part of the systems change process.

Emily Brady-Young (formerly Research & Evaluation Lead for TaAF)  is now a post-graduate researcher at Hartpury University, working alongside the National Evaluation and Learning Partnership for Sport England. She also works as a freelance evaluation and learning design partner. 

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“What I love about this conference is it’s all about movement…Everyone is really connected; it’s almost like a networking event.  There’s such a buzz in the air” Jamie McDonald aka Adventureman

In a world where learning can happen almost anywhere — online, on demand and at scale — some may ask why face to face learning still matters.

At Together an Active Future (TaAF) we believe system change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when people come together, build trust, and learn with and from each other.

Our Curiosity Conference is a powerful example of why being together in person is irreplaceable.  It’s where human connection, shared understanding and collective insight spark action.

The challenges we’re tackling don’t exist in silos.  People move through complex, overlapping systems every day.  So to create meaningful change, we need space where change can be reshaped together.  The Curiosity Conference was designed with this in mind; to bring people from a range of sectors and places together to build relationships, collaborate, and form lasting partnerships.

Learning together brings systems to life

“We’re required to produce reports, demonstrate impact and show evidence – but where that really travels is when we come together in person.” says Emily Brady Young, Research and Evaluation Lead, Together an Active Future.

Reports, evaluations and evidence are essential, but face to face learning is what brings them to life, connects data to people, places and purpose. Coming together allows participants to experience ideas collectively; ask questions and learn alongside people they may never otherwise meet. This shared experience helps turn theory into understanding and understanding into action.

Breaking down silos across sectors

“You soon realise the connections that fall into place with your own work when you hear from people in different sectors.” Matt Donnelly, Park Play Co-ordinator for Lancashire.

“It’s a really good opportunity for people to come together to share ideas”, Paul Foster, CEO, Burnley Leisure and Culture.

A key benefit of face to face learning is the ability to connect people across different sectors – education, health, local government, physical activity, primary care and community organisations. The conference created space for these sectors to “un-silo” their thinking, helping participants see how their work weaves through a person’s life, rather than in isolation. These connections are more immediate and meaningful when we’re in the same room.

Learning whilst moving

“It was great not to be sat down for too long – you could feel the thoughtfulness that had gone into how people learn.” Kenny Chu, Merseyside Sports Partnership.

We know from research that movement boosts learning by enhancing engagement, memory and focus. The day was designed to keep people moving.  Instead of staying in one room, delegates moved across three different venues in the town, walking and talking as they went. The ‘Place Standard Tool’ session, took form of a walking tour, putting theory into practice.  A number of speakers, including Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi, Royal College of GPs Lifestyle and Physical Activity Clinical Champion, encouraged everyone to move during the sessions they delivered.

Relationships matter

“I really enjoy this conference for different reasons, one of those is definitely deepening connections. You might have heard a name before, but you get the chance to put the face to a name and have a chat with them at different points throughout the day” Rosie Fenwick, Project Manager, Active Blackburn with Darwen.

Delegates repeatedly describe the value of informal conversations – walking between venues, sitting together at lunch, or taking part in workshops.  These moments help people put faces to names, make connections and build relationships that continue beyond the event itself.  As Michelle Fletcher, TaAF Comms Manager says “Connections really matter – knowing who to call when you want to learn more or when you need an ally to lean on.” These interactions are harder to achieve in virtual spaces, where conversations are more transactional and time‑limited.

Confidence, capability and culture change

“That gives people permission to test and learn, to try new things and new ideas.” Andrew Whittaker, Strategic Lead – Partnerships Advisor for North West & North East, Activity Alliance.

Sport England gave TaAF permission to test and learn new approaches to physical activity and share these lessons openly.  This conference was a safe space for people to share their stories, not just their successes but their struggles and how they adapted.  When we share our honest reflections, we provide others with real insight and valuable learning.  Hearing real stories of impact from peers helps shift culture and inspires participants to believe that they too, can drive change in their own communities.

Information sharing and knowledge exchange

“I was able to connect with someone about funding and now I’ll be supporting them further with their application.” Dr Lauren Hall, Research Associate, Dept of Applied Health Sciences.

“We’ve built a relationship today, and that’s already led to plans to work together next.” Obed Enningful, Active Travel Officer, Lancashire County Council.

By the end of the day, learning had already started to ripple outward. Delegates didn’t just take learning away for themselves but for their organisations.  Conversations sparked collaborations and face to face learning was the catalyst.

Lasting impact

TaAF appreciates how hard it is to step away from busy roles, to make space for learning, to justify time and cost when resource and capacity is stretched.  That’s why TaAF is committed to make the Curiosity Conference a free event to all.

We believe the Curiosity Conference is not just a learning event, it is an active driver of system change.  From the feedback we’ve received, we know that when people are given the time, space and permission to learn together change happens faster.  TaAF has created the opportunity to learn together, enabling others to make connections, increase their confidence in their capabilities to make new ways of working and lasting change possible.

Watch the video to experience conference and hear first-hand from various members of the TaAF team, various presenters including keynote speaker Jamie McDonald also known as ‘Adventureman’ and a host of delegates.

The post Curiosity Conference 2025 appeared first on TaAF - Together an Active Future.

The national ‘This Girl Can’ campaign, now in its tenth year, aims to continue its success and achieve even greater impact on the behaviour of inactive women by working in a more place-based way.

The campaign’s target audience is:

• Women who are pregnant or with a child under one year old
• South East Asian women

Working alongside the Health & Wellbeing Team, partners, and women in the local community, ‘This Girl Can’ aims to identify the key local barriers to physical activity. They will then choose the problem or opportunity they are going to try to solve.

Feedback from the Expression of Interest stated:

“Your response showed a strong understanding of place-based working, a clear commitment to addressing inequalities and real potential to test how national campaigns and local systems can reinforce one another. We see this pilot as a shared learning opportunity and are grateful for your willingness to lean in.”

The discovery phase has begun, and the national ‘This Girl Can’ team recently visited the borough to build their understanding of women’s experiences of physical activity. During their visit, they met with a variety of partners to gain more context about the local landscape, ensuring the campaign will be co-designed and something that works for the borough.

If you like to find out more about this initiative, please email Kathryn.creech@blackburn.gov.uk

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The Healthy Hearts campaign is a collaboration between Lancashire County Council, Lancs and South Cumbria ICB, the national We Are Undefeatable campaign and Together an Active Future.

Using LCC public health and insight from the British Heart Foundation, the campaign focuses on nine districts in the county where premature mortality from Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) is higher than the national English average.

To help raise awareness locally, partners hosted a match-day activation at Blackpool Football Club to encourage adults to ‘Know Your Numbers’ and have their blood pressure checked regularly.

The NHS ‘HARRI’ van (Health, Advice, Recovery, Resilience, and Information) was parked outside the stadium and offered fans quick blood pressure checks and heart health advice.

Representatives from Blackpool FC Community Trust (BFCCT), Move Together Blackpool, Active Blackpool, Blackpool Population Health Team and Lancs & South Cumbria ICB handed out specially designed ‘z card’ leaflets sharing Darren’s inspirational story, a local man who through attending a range of sessions provided by Blackpool Community Trust and through moving more, has made a remarkable recovery following a stroke.

“We’re so proud of what Darren has achieved. Darren’s story is a real reminder of how important it is to know your numbers and get your blood pressure checked. Small steps into physical activity can lead to life-changing results. Through our programmes and community sessions, every week we see how moving more not only improves physical health but also mental wellbeing and confidence. We are delighted to be working alongside our partners to spread these heart health messages to reach more people and help prevent others going through what Darren did” says Dave Maclean, Active Through Football Manager at Blackpool FC Community Trust.

The z card also includes information from Dr Arif Rajpura, Blackpool Council’s Director of Public Health, on the importance of blood pressure checks and details of Active Blackpool’s exercise referral programme.

The cards were placed on the tables in the corporate hospitality area, in the club shop and campaign promotion was included in the match day programme and on the large digital screen during half time.

Sport England recognise the importance physical activity messaging can play in preventing and managing long term health conditions. TaAF provided the resources and capacity to turn the idea into reality in just four weeks.

The Impact

The match attracted 9858 fans and 25 people took the opportunity to have their blood pressure checked, with two individuals advised to seek further medical advice.  This demonstrates the value of providing accessible health checks and how they can make a difference in early detection and prevention.

This event was the first time the organisations involved have collaborated in this way to boost local awareness of heart health.

Next Steps

Following the success of the event, Vicki Wagstaff, CVD and LTC Prevention Manager at Lancs & South Cumbria ICB has shared the digital ‘z card’ with other football clubs across the county, hoping to encourage similar initiatives.

Over the next few weeks, a targeted social media campaign will reinforce the match-day activation and continue to share important heart health messages:

• Raising awareness of the importance of ‘knowing your numbers’,
• Signposting residents to their local pharmacies and BFCCT for blood pressure checks
• Promoting the role physical activity can play to support people living with heart conditions to improve their health and wellbeing.

If you like to find out more about this initiative, please email alison.whittaker-stewart@blackburn.gov.uk

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The campaign features real families from across Lancashire and other regions having fun getting active together in ways which suit them. Angela from Burnley, who features in the campaign with her two children, comments:

“As the darker nights set in, it can be a challenge to keep the kids motivated to move. But we’ve discovered that even the simplest activities – like longer walks at the weekend, going to the park, or dancing around the kitchen – they all help keep our children active, boost their mood, and improve their focus.”

The images are featured in out-of-home and social channels in the local areas to inspire others to visit nhs.uk/LetsMove for tips, local activities and inspiration.

The national campaign is supported by TV personality Joe Wicks, who got the nation moving during ‘PE With Joe’, is backing the campaign following the success of his animated workout series Activate, which was supported by a cross-section of government departments including DCMS, DfE and DHSC. The series aims to make fitness fun for kids with short five-minute animated workouts. He shares new top tips as part of the ‘Let’s Move’ campaign to help families slot activity into their everyday life, including being a role model, exploring local activities and getting outside whatever the weather.

NHS guidance recommends that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, including 30 minutes outside of school hours. Yet the new survey reveals that 81% [1] of parents underestimate how much physical activity children need. Already, more than half of children in England aren’t getting the recommended amount of movement and, worryingly, the research shows this will increase during the colder months.

The campaign supports the Government’s Health Mission, which prioritises preventative health measures, including addressing physical inactivity.  Already, more than £900 million has been committed to build grassroots facilities in the places that need them most and deliver a pipeline of major sports events that inspire the nation. Alongside this, the new School Sport Partnerships and Enrichment Framework will ensure all young people have equal access to high-quality sport and extracurricular activity. Sport England evidence shows that improved health from participation in sport and physical activity relieves pressure on the NHS through £10.5 billion a year in health and social care savings.

Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock says:
“Building a more active nation is a huge part of this Government’s Plan for Change and we want to show families all over the country just how many ways there are to get involved.  Whether it’s dancing, playing team sport or playing in the playground with their friends, we know that children who get at least an hour of exercise a day experience so many benefits – they’re happier, healthier and focus better at school.”

Sport England data also shows significant inequalities remain in activity levels, with Black (42%) and Asian (43%) children and young people, and those from the least affluent families (45%), still less likely to play sport or be physically active than the average across all ethnicities and affluence groups.

Chris Boardman, Chair of Sport England remarks:
“Active kids grow into active adults, easing pressure on the NHS and strengthening the economy. Everyone wins and it can start with something as simple as a ten-minute dance in the living room or a quick bike ride”.

Lancashire parents face challenges in keeping children active, with 50% of kids not meeting the daily 60-minute activity goal. New research findings show that two thirds (66%) of parents say their children’s physical activity levels are likely to suffer a seasonal dip during autumn and winter, with cold or wet weather (43%) and darker evenings (38%) highlighted as the key barriers.

The ‘Let’s Move’ campaign promotes families moving more together and emphasises how parents’ habits shape their children’s lifestyles – the majority of parents (87%) believe their habits influence their child’s activity levels, and highlights how everyday routines can support healthy, active lifestyles.

While many children enjoy sports, some are deterred by low confidence or dislike of competition, however, 94% of parents in Lancashire say their children enjoy play as a form of movement, with top activities including visiting the playground (43%), riding a bike (31%), dancing (51%) and playing tag or chase (33%).

For more information about the campaign, please visit nhs.uk/LetsMove
(https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/activities/?WT.mc_ID=short_Nov25)

NB: The attitudinal research was conducted by Censuswide between 22.10.2025 – 28.10.2025, with a sample of 2,519 parents and guardians of 7-11 year olds in England only.
[1] 81% of parents underestimate how much physical activity children need (only 14% were aware it should be 60 mins or more.)

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In the initial meeting, they informed us of the inclusive physical activity sessions they already provided, and we discussed what they wanted out of the training resource we were creating.

A key talking point surrounded the fear of getting things wrong, so we wanted to put them at ease by creating a “magic box” at our first session in November where they could write about any worries or questions they had. This was a really useful exercise as it allowed everyone to open up about their own experiences, both personally and professionally, and reduce any anxiety they may have had prior to delivering physical activity.

Prior to this, we delivered an activity which involved the staff moving around the area they found themselves in, labelling the activity ‘Move in any way you can’. We chose to do this intentionally to show the staff that you do not need lots of equipment or instructions to make physical activity fun.

Later, we got the group into a circle, giving individuals the task of experiencing physical activity through the lens of a different impairment. Examples of this included wearing a blindfold and earmuffs whilst trying to receive instructions from a partner about where the ball was.

The staff then had a go at creating their own session for each other, using a range of different equipment such as bell balls and sensory items.

The follow-up session took place in March 2025, and as well as creating their own session, the staff gained an insight from Let Me Move Staff member Bradley into the many people that can be involved in someone’s physical activity journey. Staff were assigned roles of different people within someone’s life, such as a doctor, teacher, or a parent, and the role each of these people play when promoting a positive relationship with physical activity.

Senior Family Support Worker at Pendle Family Hubs, Vanessa, gave her thoughts on what her favourite part of the day was:

“What is also helpful from today is the activity where we had to think different ways of adapting (the activities) because the staff come up with the planning for these events, so it’s built their confidence with using activities that we currently do already, but how to adapt them for the needs of the different people that may be attending our sessions.”

We were thrilled to be able to deliver this training and collaborate with Pendle Family Hubs. We thank them for their efforts throughout the training and hope the staff gained valuable learning from the two sessions we put on!

Watch the video here:

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Prior to recruiting individuals, we also had a look at the recruitment process itself and how we could make it easier for the individuals applying. Not everyone applies for job roles in the same way, and so we wanted to adopt an approach that focused on the most comfortable way for people to do so, in order for them to truly showcase their strengths. Within this process, we offered applicants the opportunity to either submit a 500-word document, a short video of up to three minutes, an audio recording up to three minutes, or any other way that met their needs.

Having already recruited two individuals with lived experience of disability when the workstream first began in May of the previous year, the idea was born out of a desire to expand upon an already growing network and tap into a diverse knowledge base that people with lived experience have to offer in addressing barriers to physical activity.

Lived experience is a key asset when it comes to finding solutions to barriers; however, often people with that lived experience are not directly involved in the process of identifying those barriers. So, we want to work with them to co-design solutions to these barriers and build upon existing networks and relationships with key stakeholders, as well as creating new ones in order to achieve sustainable change.

The group meets monthly to share their experiences and insight, as well as meet with a range of organisations and physical activity providers to talk about the work going on in the Burnley area and how they can support.

“As a group, we highlighted lots of disabilities, both visible and hidden, which need to be looked at when planning an accessible route for all. It makes me smile that we can make a difference to someone and that our input could be that difference for even one person.”

Connecting with Burnley Leisure and Culture

The first meeting took place on the 13th of May, where Alexis Turner, Outdoor Activity Coordinator from Burnley Leisure and Culture, came down to Thompson Park in Burnley to talk about the Beat the Street provision. Beat the Street is an engaging, real-life game that transforms towns into giant playgrounds, encouraging residents to walk, cycle, and wheel around their local area. In Burnley, this initiative has seen thousands participate, tapping sensors on lampposts to earn points and foster a more active, connected community.

Alexis listened to feedback from the group about how Beat the Street could be made more accessible, including reducing the height of the boxes on the lampposts, having a hands-free option to collect points, and different ways to take part in the sign-up process.

“I have really enjoyed the meeting today and enjoyed learning new things and listening to enthusiasm from others.”

Connecting with Canal and River Trust 

The following meeting took place on the 10th of June at Finsley Gate Wharf and involved meeting Emma Fielding from the Canal and River Trust to discuss ways we can make the canal paths more accessible for everyone. This included talking about creating wayfinding material to help people navigate their way around, the removal of A-frame gates, and introducing rest areas at certain points of the routes.

“My absolute highlight was that impairment-specific activity. It wasn’t just a theoretical discussion: it forced us to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and consider the practicalities of filming, navigating, and experiencing the canals from different perspectives.”

Connecting with British Cycling

At the latest meeting on the 8th of July, the group had a visit from Claire Newton, Community Developer at British Cycling, to hear all about the Limitless Cycling provision happening across Burnley and Padiham. Limitless is British Cycling’s inclusive cycling programme, supported by Shell UK, dedicated to creating a nationwide network of cycling opportunities for disabled people of all ages, impairments, and abilities. Claire spoke to the group about the sessions which take place on Tuesdays at The Hive in Padiham from 10 am till 12 pm and on Thursdays at Thompson Park in Burnley from 10:30 AM to 12 PM. We also have a range of adapted bikes at our disposal to suite a range of needs.

By centering the voices of those most affected by accessibility barriers, it helps to create a more inclusive and active future for disabled people, ensuring that everyone has the chance to move more and thrive.

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We’re delighted to share the success of our third Archery Instructor course delivered in collaboration with Archery GB. The 4-week course included 5 local Madrassahs, training 12 new instructors. With the skills to deliver sessions and equipment provided through the Active Madrassah KitBags, these Madrassahs have a newfound sustainable activity to embed movement into their learning.

This now brings the total to 52 trained archery instructors, who will go on to create new opportunities for over 2000 young people in their Madrassahs. The courses have received great feedback from participants who left inspired, motivated and ready to make a difference for many young people. Our next 2 courses are already fully booked for early 2025.

The course has empowered a diverse group of individuals from various Madrassahs to share their newfound knowledge and passion for archery with their communities. Participants felt a sense of achievement and left inspired, motivated and ready to make a difference to so many young people.

Archery as a Sunnah sport offers many benefits for individuals and communities, incorporating it into Madrassah settings can be a great way to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles. By prioritising archery and other forms of physical activity in the Madrassahs, we can encourage positive changes and create a culture of health and wellness.

Investing in Leaders

Launch of our first Active Madrassah Female Leadership Academy

We are excited to announce that starting early 2025 we will be launching our first Female Madrassah Leadership Academy. The programme is a fully funded skills development programme that will take place over 7 months, focusing on developing leadership skills and leading change across their Madrassah settings.

This programme will open opportunities to:

• Develop leadership skills and build on personal strengths
• Influence policy and practice to create more active Madrassahs
• Connect with peers and build a support network
• Create sustainable changes to include physical activity into learning in Madrassahs

 Registration is now open, find out more and how to apply HERE

Want to know more about our work with Madrassahs? Take a look at our new web page HERE. 

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