Lancashire Culture and Physical Activity Network (CPAN) is a peer support network, facilitated by Active Lancashire which brings together the Culture, Arts, Heritage, Sport, Active Recreation and Physical Activity stakeholders and partners to share best practice, reflect on strategic developments and opportunities and to build collaborative relationships which support a more cohesive and enabled Cultural sector. Participation is open to all and is focused around Local Authority and Voluntary sector providers. Topics of specific interest include Local Government reorganisation, Health and Care service development, Climate Change and updates from DCMS National partners.
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| Newsletter 1 | |
| Welcome to the first edition of our new Lancs CPAN recap. Here you will find a recording of our latest meeting, along with a summary of the topic discussed and information on the next meeti… | |
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| Newsletter 2 | |
| Welcome to the second edition of our Lancs CPAN recap. Here you will find a recording of our latest meeting, along with a summary of the topic discussed and information on the next meeting.… | |
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The Lancashire CPAN Meeting on July 15, 2024, provided an insightful overview of the Lancashire Place Partnerships, highlighting their structure and leadership across Central, East, and North Lancashire.
The meeting emphasised the vision of supporting residents to live longer, happier, and healthier lives through three main work streams for 2024-2025:
Key initiatives discussed included joint efforts between Lancashire County Council Public Health and the ICB Population Health Team on health checks and social prescribing, as well as innovative approaches like intermediate care models and integrated brokerage. The meeting also detailed district-level health and wellbeing partnerships, showcasing tailored priorities such as housing and respiratory health in East Lancashire, school readiness in Central Lancashire, and suicide prevention in North Lancashire. Attendees were encouraged to engage in discussions and breakout sessions, underscoring the importance of collaboration and local needs in driving health and care improvements across Lancashire.
The Lancashire CPAN Meeting on June 17, 2024, focused on the impact of climate change on physical activity and Sport England’s strategy to address this through environmental sustainability, increased participation, and reducing inequalities. Key points included the effects of extreme weather on sports facilities and participation, Sport England’s collaborative approach, and their vision for a regenerative sports sector. The meeting also highlighted the importance of building resilience, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing biodiversity. Discussions covered infrastructure challenges, tools for calculating carbon footprints, and local nature recovery strategies. The session concluded with a call for continued collaboration and promotion of funding opportunities.
The meeting focused on the progress and future steps of the Lancashire devolution deal, led by Pete Thomas from Lancashire County Council. Key topics included the background and current status of the devolution proposals, the significance of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act, and the expected establishment of the Combined County Authority by October 2024. The discussion highlighted the economic benefits of devolution for Lancashire, emphasising the region’s unique multi-centred and rural economy. The meeting also addressed the importance of a unified Lancashire identity and the role of culture, sport, and physical activity in supporting the devolution agenda.
Additionally, the meeting covered the consultation process and feedback, the integration of Lancashire 2050 initiatives with the devolution plans, and the proposed governance structure, including the establishment of a data observatory to inform decision-making. The importance of engaging with freelancers in the cultural sector and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits across Lancashire were also discussed. The session concluded with a Q&A segment, where participants raised concerns about district support, funding, and the representation of various sectors in the devolution process.
The meeting on December 11, 2023, focused on the collaborative efforts in East Lancashire to enhance community health and well-being through the Lifestyle Hub and related initiatives. Victoria McCoy highlighted the Lifestyle Hub’s role in providing a single point of access for healthcare professionals to refer patients to community-based health and well-being services. This model aims to simplify navigation for healthcare professionals and ensure patients receive appropriate non-medical support. The Hub is particularly beneficial for individuals with long-term conditions, those needing weight management, and people recovering from substance misuse. The integration with social prescribers and health and well-being coaches has been crucial in connecting patients to the right services.
Emma Coster and Mike from Lancashire Wildlife Trust emphasized the importance of social prescribing and outdoor activities in improving health outcomes. Emma discussed the “no wrong front door” approach in Blackburn and Darwen, ensuring seamless referrals between social prescribing and health and well-being teams. Mike highlighted the success of nature-based activities in boosting mental and physical well-being. Dr. Abdul Mannan and his team underscored the significant impact of health coaching in Rosendale, noting improvements in patients’ physical and mental health, such as weight loss, reduced medication, and increased physical activity. The meeting underscored the value of collaborative, community-based approaches in enhancing health and well-being across East Lancashire.
The meeting on November 13, 2023, provided an overview of the new strategic direction and funding framework for the Heritage Lottery Fund. The transition year of 2023/24 marks the shift to a new strategy with a three-year delivery plan. Key changes include an increased grant threshold, now ranging from £10,000 to £10 million, and the introduction of four investment principles: Saving Heritage, Protecting the Environment, Inclusion, Access and Participation, and Organisational Sustainability. These principles aim to streamline the application process and provide more flexibility for applicants. The meeting also highlighted upcoming key dates for grant applications and the importance of aligning projects with the new investment principles.
The discussion emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnerships, particularly in place-based initiatives and projects that address wider determinants of health and well-being. The Heritage Lottery Fund aims to support projects that not only conserve heritage but also enhance community engagement and environmental sustainability. The meeting concluded with a Q&A session, where participants discussed the potential for strategic support in Lancashire and the importance of aligning local projects with the new funding priorities. The Heritage Lottery Fund representatives encouraged ongoing dialogue and collaboration to maximize the impact of heritage projects across the region.
The meeting on 14th August 2023, focused on several key initiatives within the Together an Active Future (TaAF) program, highlighting the collaborative efforts and learning experiences across various work streams. Mark discussed the Active Madrasa project, which aims to integrate physical activity into madrasa settings by leveraging prophetic sports like archery, wrestling, horse riding, swimming, and running. This initiative has seen significant engagement, with 16 madrasas participating and 28 individuals trained as archery instructors. The project emphasizes co-design with madrasa leaders to ensure cultural relevance and sustainability.
Laura shared her experience of working with TaAF, emphasizing the importance of strong team culture and innovative approaches to community engagement. Her involvement in the program has led to the implementation of new strategies in Blackpool, including a leadership pilot supported by Sport England. This pilot has fostered a community of practice focused on system change and leadership development.
Heath introduced the Leading Through Strengths initiative, which includes CliftonStrengths assessments, the Executive Leadership Academy, and a leadership community. This program aims to enhance individual and team strengths, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration. The Executive Leadership Academy, starting in September, will bring together leaders from various sectors to develop systems leadership skills and create powerful support networks.
Finally, Tina provided an update on Sport England’s place-based expansion strategy, which aims to deepen existing partnerships and expand into new areas based on local need. This strategy includes a universal offer to support all places with resources, funding, and tools to promote physical activity and community engagement. The first phase of this expansion will be announced in September, focusing on the top 10% of places identified through a detailed needs assessment.
