Morning workshops
1. Unlocking sport’s potential: Tackling inequalities and growing participation.
This workshop explored how sport can be a powerful tool for tackling inequalities and increasing participation, particularly in under-served communities. We discussed strategies for moving sport closer to communities, working in a place-based, collaborative way, and sharing real-life stories of success and challenges.
2. Learning from the evidence: a business case for walkable communities and more active neighbourhoods.
Using examples from three different spatial scales, participants heard how data and evidence is used to make the case for investment into quality environments that support active lives, and a more prosperous, healthy and city region. We also saw how this can be applied to challenges and opportunities in your area.
3. (Youth-led) Youth Voice leadership and participation: Do we have the same priorities?
This workshop engaged young people to share their priorities and experiences in sport and physical activity, focusing on removing barriers and promoting youth leadership. Attendees learnt how to create inclusive environments and foster meaningful youth involvement.
4. Place in Action: Transforming public leisure for lasting health.
This workshop shared Greater Manchester’s journey in reshaping public leisure services to create a broader, more connected health creation model. We explored the impact of this shift, explored the conditions needed for success, and looked ahead at opportunities to advance public leisure and health services.
5. Storytelling: Changing lives by changing the narrative.
Using individual experience and data, participants explored skills in framing and telling impactful stories about movement, physical activity, and sport. Led by narrative expert Nicky Hawkins, the session focused on creating clear, memorable stories that demonstrate change and advocate for the work being done.
Afternoon workshops
1. Shifting culture and systems to support active lives for all.
This workshop focused on creating systems and cultures that support active lives for all. It explored community empowerment, overcoming barriers, and promoting leadership to drive change. Attendees discussed challenges, shared insights, and collaborated on solutions to remove obstacles, with a focus on system and culture transformation for better physical activity outcomes.
2. Connecting health and community-led wellbeing for stronger outcomes.
Focusing on integrating community groups and the health system to improve physical activity in Greater Manchester, this workshop highlighted the Live Well initiative and successful partnerships, while discussing the challenges of creating sustainable collaboration.
3. Creating safe, inclusive spaces in sports and physical activity: Practical steps for progress.
This workshop focused on how safe spaces can be created through listening to and acting on the voices of participants in sports and physical activity. Attendees took part in creative activities to explore the themes of safe, inclusive spaces in sports and physical activity, building tools that they can take away and use in their own practice/settings to engage with participant voice.
4. Women & girls moving in GM: The art of possible.
This workshop explored the potential for collective action to improve the experiences of women and girls in physical activity, sport, and movement across Greater Manchester. Discussion will explore how a joined-up approach could drive positive change and better access. The session considered the challenges, share learnings from local initiatives, and reflect on what needs to be done to bring about lasting change.
5. Place-based change: Transforming systems for a more active future.
This workshop explored how place-based working can create healthier, more active communities. We will reflect on the GM journey and the key factors that support systemic change. Through creative visioning exercises, attendees will identify both immediate and long-term actions to transform local environments and support physical activity.All the resources from our 2025 Conference in one place.