How we focus our work
Our work is guided by national strategy and informed by what works. This page showcases real-world stories, measurable outcomes, and lessons learned to inspire action and share impact.
To enable active lives for all we need to look at the bigger picture, how whole systems and places shape people’s lives. Because whether people are active or not depends on working conditions, or caring responsibilities, or how safe the local area feels. Our work brings together many organisations, communities, and moving parts.
If we are working differently, we need to evaluate differently.
Traditionally we might have tried to isolate cause and effect of our actions. But real life is messy and complex, things happen unexpectedly, interact and evolve. Evaluation designed for complexity looks not just at what happens (understanding), but how and why this change happens (explaining) in different contexts.
Every place is unique, change happens in different ways and speeds, but we can spot patterns emerging across places about how we might all work differently. Our evaluation and learning approach helps uncover these conditions and connections that support people to move more and live well, to enable active lives for all in the long term. Without disrupting these system conditions, we risk further widening inequalities and being unable to maintain physical activity levels beyond specific interventions.
We refer to these conditions as the enablers of change in Greater Manchester, which we use as a framework to capture and share evaluation and learning, guide local efforts and build collective understanding.
Our enablers for change
These ‘five enablers’ have become a cornerstone of GM Moving’s work and are now widely embedded across our region.
- Better understand how and why change happens.
- Use them as a framework to guide our work.
- Shape activity in ways that are fair, inclusive, and sustainable.
We keep testing and refining them, because places, people, and systems evolve. And so must we.
Involving local people and growing assets
Real, lasting change happens when communities lead the way. That means starting with local strengths (people, places, networks) and making sure residents have power, resources, and opportunities to shape activity in ways that matter to them.
This short video from Dr Katie Shearn, from the Place Partnership (formally Local Pilot) evaluation team, explains why it is important to work with local people to enable active lives in Greater Manchester.
Strategic Leadership Enabling Collective Leadership
We need leaders at every level, from senior officials to frontline staff, to community champions working together. This creates alignment, shared purpose, and permission for action across the system.
In this short video Dr. Katie Shearn, from the evaluation team, explains why you need both strategic and collective leadership in whole systems approaches.
Effective Work Across and Between Sectors
Physical activity isn’t just “the job” of the sport or health sector. It’s shaped by housing, transport, planning, education, culture and more. When sectors connect, trust each other, and share purpose, new possibilities open up.
This video from Dr Katie Shearn from the Place Partnership (formally Local Pilot) evaluation team gives a brief explanation of how partners across GM are working together and why this is important to enable active lives.
Transforming Governance and Processes
Sometimes the barriers to change are baked into the way organisations work through their rules, processes, and decision-making structures. Changing those processes can unlock new ways of collaborating and sharing resources.
This short video from Dr Katie Shearn, from the Place Partnership (formally Local Pilot evaluation team), explains how and why existing bureaucracy is getting in the way of collaboration and what Place Partners are doing about it.
Learning and Adapting
In complex systems, there’s no single “right answer.” We make progress by testing ideas, sharing what works (and what doesn’t), and adapting based on evidence.
This short video from Dr. Katie Shearn, from the Place Partnership (formally Local Pilot evaluation team), explains why learning and adapting is crucial to progress in this complex and uncertain work.
Our work in action
Stepping Hill embraces exercise as a key tool in recovery for its patients with help from Life Leisure
How Greater Manchester School Games Organisers are tackling inequalities through targeted delivery
What We’re Learning From Place: Reflections From Across Greater Manchester
