Subject to change*
8:30
Exhibition and Catering Lounge
Arrival, networking and exhibition
9:30
Main Stage
9:40
Main Stage
Connecting the Dots
Tara Dillon, CEO, CIMSPA
As the nation grapples with record levels of economic inactivity, mounting pressures on health services, and growing challenges around community cohesion, the need for preventative, inclusive and scalable solutions has never been more urgent. At the heart of these solutions lies the physical activity and sport workforce which is uniquely positioned to deliver impact across individual, community, and system levels.
This keynote session will examine the sector’s crucial role in supporting the government’s ambitions around health improvement, workforce activation, and levelling up. Tara will reflect on the progress made to date in building a recognised, trusted and professionally regulated workforce, and explore what now needs to happen to fully embed physical activity within cross-departmental plans and policy.
Delegates will be challenged to consider how we can connect the dots between our frontline impact and national outcomes, ensuring the sector is not only ready to scale, but prepared to lead.
10:00
Main Stage
Measuring What Matters – Connecting the Dots to recognising the true value of physical activity
Will Watt, Founder, State of Life
The sport and physical activity workforce changes lives every day. We improve physical and mental wellbeing, reduce pressure on health and social care and strengthen communities. However, a significant question remains. How do we evidence that value in a way that cuts through to policymakers, funders and the wider public?
This keynote will explore how the sector can better measure and communicate the difference it makes. With State of Life’s approach to wellbeing economics and social value measurement, endorsed by HM Treasury, the session will show how impact can be captured in clear, credible ways that help us as a workforce articulate the full breadth of our contribution.
The session will include insights into how we can highlight how physical activity drives outcomes far beyond fitness including:
- improving quality of life and reducing health inequalities.
- easing demand on public services, boosting productivity and skills, and supporting pathways into sustainable work.
- providing opportunities for young people, those out of work, and communities traditionally left behind.
- strengthening belonging, reducing isolation, and creating fairer access to opportunities.
By making the sector’s impact more visible, professionals will be better equipped to tell their story, secure investment, and reinforce the essential role that physical activity plays in a healthier, more inclusive and economically resilient society.
10:40
Exhibition and Catering Lounge
Networking and refreshments
With dedicated networking zones and an interactive showcase, time in the Lounge will give you opportunities to catch up with familiar faces, make new connections, discover the latest product innovation and enhance your conference experience.
11:25
The Banks
The Gallery
Champions Club
Main Stage
Workshop session one
Choose from four key themes:
- Health and Active Wellbeing
- Education and Career Development
- Workforce Planning and Management
- Inclusive Participation
11:55
Main Stage
Panel session: Connecting the Dots to Better Health
- Dr David Bartlett, Senior Lecturer of Exercise Immunology, School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Duke University, North Carolina
- Dr Davina Deniszczyc, Charity and Medical Director, Nuffield Health
- Jake Turner, Co‑Chief Executive Officer, Sport for Confidence
- Nick Berners-Price, 4D Fitness Founder, Personal Training for Parkinson’s
- Tanya Hall, Strategic Partnerships and Tender Manager, EGYM UK
As pressure on the NHS continues to rise, the sport, physical activity and active wellbeing workforce is uniquely placed to play a vital role in the prevention, management and recovery of long-term, chronic health conditions. Yet, this potential remains underutilised at scale.
This session will explore how the sector’s professionals can be positioned as trusted partners in the health system.
Bringing together thought leaders from across healthcare, commissioning, policy and frontline delivery, the session will examine:
- How targeted, place-based physical activity interventions are already reducing pressure on clinical services
- The importance of recognised standards, qualifications and professional pathways in building trust and collaboration between sectors
- What’s needed to scale up innovative models of integrated care that include our workforce
- How we move from isolated programmes to a national, strategic role for sport and physical activity in population health.
Panellists will share real-world examples and provoke discussion on how we shift from ambition to action, ensuring that professionals across our sector are empowered, recognised and embedded in the future of community health and wellbeing.
This is a must-attend session for anyone passionate about the impact our workforce can have in transforming lives and alleviating pressure on the NHS, from prevention through to recovery.
12:40
Exhibition and Catering Lounge
Networking lunch
13:30
The Banks
The Gallery
Champions Club
Main Stage
Workshop session two
Choose from four key themes:
- Health and Active Wellbeing
- Education and Career Development
- Workforce Planning and Management
- Inclusive Participation
14:00
Main Stage
Guest speaker
Dr Punam Krishan, Doctor, Author and TV personality
14:45
Exhibition and Catering Lounge
Networking and refreshments
15:15
The Banks
The Gallery
Champions Club
Main Stage
Workshop session three
Choose from four key themes:
- Health and Active Wellbeing
- Education and Career Development
- Workforce Planning and Management
- Inclusive Participation
15:45
Main Stage
Creating an inclusive and supportive profession – Matt Hampson OBE
We are delighted to welcome Matt Hampson OBE, former England U21 rugby player and Founder of the Matt Hampson Foundation, as a keynote speaker at this year’s CIMSPA Conference.
16:15
Main Stage