Impact and Celebration: Let’s Keep Learning Together

Over 100 people came together in Winchester to celebrate the impact of the Hampshire Active Health Programme and share learnings.

Going into the Hampshire Active Health Programme (HAHP), Energise Me didn’t want the process to be transactional. We wanted it be relationship based, recognising that no organisation can solve health inequalities by themselves. We can build a better system if we share learning, resources and expertise across the system. And that’s exactly what the event aimed to do.

Attendees were welcomed by Chief Executive of Energise Me, Julie Amies: “it’s great to see so many people in the room who have been involved in Hampshire Active Health Programme and have done so much to provide the content for today. Today, it’s all about you and what you achieved.”

Find out more about Hampshire Active Health Programme.

Simon Bryant, Director of Public Health for Hampshire County Council, reminded us of the real-world impact health inequalities are having. Especially for groups like veterans, people with mental health challenges, and anyone living in areas with fewer resources.

But he didn’t just present the problem, he reminded us of the solution. Saying, “health inequalities are so complex, and yet physical activity can play a huge role in tackling them. So how can we help people think that physical activity is possible for them?”

This speaks to the core of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight We Can Be Active strategy.  For everyone to feel the benefit of an active life,  it’s about removing barriers, creating opportunities, and building a system that supports everyone to move more in ways that work for them.

Being physically active is key to addressing health inequalities. It can:

• Improve community connectedness
• Reduce social isolation
• Provide employment and skills development
• Boost physical and mental health
• Help people live more independently for longer

Emma sharing the challenges HAHP’s priority groups face and what they value in physical activity experiences.

Emma Dovener, Grants Manager at Energise Me, was joined by Dr Kev Harris, FH Associates, whose team had helped evaluate the programme. Together, they dug into the collective learnings from the programme

£1.4 million funded a total of 32 projects across the county. From this, 3,398 people took part in physical activity across 3,440 sessions. Emma said, “I’m so grateful for the role you all played in that.”

Because those aren’t just numbers – those are lives changed.

3 key learnings included:

• Individual health outcomes can be achieved in a year. Ranging from mental health, managing diabetes and lowering blood pressure. And we need people to know this so that they can “sell” physical activity.
• Collaboration is a key component within the system and with participants.
• It takes time to make things sustainable.

For the programme overview and all the learnings, read the Hampshire Active Health Programme evaluation report.

Panellists in action!

A standout moment was when four project impact videos were shared. Showcasing the power of creating opportunities that are right for the participants. These are available to watch on our website.

Attendees also heard from and asked questions to an amazing panel, featuring nine people at the heart of various projects. There were honest conversations (with lots of nodding in agreement!) and plenty of inspiration.

The discussions and questions were around the key recommendations from the programme:

Collaboration  

• Understand each other’s vision.
• Bring in people who can reach the audiences you can’t.
• Focus on your strengths—and know when to lean on others.

Place-Based Working  

• Know what’s already happening locally.
• Work with people who already have trusted relationships.
• Take activity to where people are. Don’t expect them to come to you.

Listening and Responding  

• It’s not just about listening; it’s about how you get people to talk to you in the first place.
• Find a communication method that people are comfortable with – email, text, phone, in-person etc.
• Close the feedback loop. Let people know how their voice shaped what happened.

Getting The Offer Right  

• Find out what outcomes people want. Then from there, you can plan what activities will achieve those.
• Upskill staff so that they have the confidence to deliver the activity in the right way.
• Look for ways physical activity can tap into existing interests.

A huge thank you to Gemma Snell, Karen Langley, Hazel Squibb, Vicki Llewelyn, Mark Pavitt, Danny Churcher, Angela Thompson and Jason Ralphs for being a part of the panel.

We made networking active by taking it outdoors!

There was plenty of time for chatting, sharing stories and learning from one another throughout the morning. Attendees even got to make their networking active by going on a ‘net-walk’.

The afternoon was split into 3 workshops where people got the chance to learn about stories of change, consultation through active, playful games and how to use data.

On the horizon, a 10-year national health plan is expected in the next couple of months. It is predicted to focus on prevention and tackling those deep-rooted inequalities we see our communities having. That presents a real opportunity for everyone using physical activity to support those who need it most.

From conversations throughout the day, organisations shared that they’re already using learning from the programme to secure further funding from Sport England and National Lottery to continue their work.

Helen Fisher, Head of Health and Strategy at Energise Me, closed the day by saying: “thank you for committing to explore learning with us. Please keep coming back to us and keep learning together.”