Share

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email Us
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp

By GreaterSport | 12 November 2020 | TAGS: Whole System, Local Pilot, Place based partnerships

We are learning more about the conditions needed to enable active lives. Our evaluation of a whole system approach to physical activity suggests that there are five programme theories that may help us understand what’s needed to create sustainable changes that enable increased activity.

To help explain what we mean by a whole system approach, and the work we are doing through GM Moving, we have produced this animation.

Over the past 6 months our evaluation team, the Substance consortium, have shared a deeper understanding around our five programme theories:

  • Strategic leadership enabling collective leadership
  • Effective work across and between sectors
  • Transforming governance and process
  • Learning and adapting
  • Growing local people and assets

We are learning more about how we can work as a system to support active lives, and want to share this learning with you. We have produced a short summary, with key reflection questions, and some explainer videos to help talk through some of theory that has led to the development of these five programme theories.

Read the summary here.

Latest News

National recognition for Prehab4Cancer as it launches education initiative for leisure centre staff

By GM Active CIC | 04 February 2026

Experience, education and data garnered by the pioneering Prehab4Cancer (P4C) programme in Greater Manchester has helped to shape national guidelines on cancer care adopted by the NHS and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Race Equality Week 2026: Why change needs all of us

By Umar Ahmed | 02 February 2026

By understanding cultural norms, feelings of belonging, and how safe people feel in a space, we can make physical activity more inclusive for everyone.

Making physical activity a key component of NHS care

By NHS England | 28 January 2026

As the NHS makes the shift from ‘hospital to community’, we must ensure that physical activity is embedded at the heart of community-centred care, says Sarah Price, Director of Public Health at NHS England.