Health and Active Wellbeing

Location: The Banks

Morning Workshop

Unlocking the Power of Physical Activity for Mental Health - Nurturing Safe and Effective Practices for Sustainable Delivery

Sam Perks – Physical Activity Operations Manager, Mind

Hayley Jarvis – Head of Physical Activity, Mind

Physical activity holds enormous potential to support mental health and emotional wellbeing—but only when it is delivered with care, understanding, and a person-centred approach. Too often, assumptions are made about what works, without fully considering the diverse and complex experiences of those taking part.

This session, led by Mind’s Physical Activity team, will explore what it truly means to embed mental health support into physical activity delivery. Drawing on real-world practice and lived experience, it will offer practical strategies to create inclusive, psychologically safe environments, for participants and practitioners alike. Whether you’re a coach, instructor, or programme lead, this is your opportunity to challenge conventional thinking and enhance the mental health impact of your work through meaningful, intentional movement.

Afternoon Workshop 1

Changing the Game - GLP-1 and the New Rules of Engagement in Activity

Lauren Connis – Head of Health and Wellbeing, Oldham Active

The rapid rise in the use of weight–loss medications, particularly GLP–1 receptor agonists such as Wegovy and Ozempic, is reshaping how the UK approaches obesity and long–term weight management. Data suggests that around 1.4 million people in the UK access GLP–1s every month through private online pharmacies, with around 200,000 people being prescribed them through the NHS. With usage expected to increase significantly as access expands through both public healthcare and private routes, this has important implications for the physical activity workforce.

This session will explore why every physical activity professional needs to understand how these medications affect the bodies that they are training especially in relation to energy levels, appetite regulation, lean muscle mass, and capacity for movement. Drawing on the latest guidance as well as real–life practice, delegates will gain a clearer picture of how this shift is impacting the sector. While not a training session, it will provide the foundational awareness needed to engage in informed conversations and begin considering how programmes and services may need to adapt to support this growing client group safely and effectively.

Afternoon Workshop 2

Personalised Pathways to Better Health and Wellbeing – Biometrics in Action

Tanya Hall – Strategic Partnerships and Tender Manager, EGYM

No two wellbeing journeys are the same. This workshop explores how biometrics and data-informed feedback can personalise training in ways that improve health outcomes, enhance motivation, and support sustainable lifestyle change.

By measuring key health indicators such as strength, mobility, recovery, and cardiovascular fitness, professionals can create training experiences that respond to an individual’s current capacity and adapt as they progress. Data-driven feedback not only builds participant confidence but also helps individuals see tangible improvements in their health and wellbeing, whether that’s more energy, better posture, or reduced risk of chronic conditions.

For professionals, these insights offer a clearer picture of each person’s needs, making it possible to deliver support that is both efficient and meaningful. This approach turns personalisation into a tool for prevention as well as progression, enabling practitioners to have a greater impact on long-term wellbeing.

Participants will leave with practical strategies to harness data and biometrics to create inclusive, empowering, and health-focused programmes that help individuals thrive.