Active Lives HIT 2022-23

Welcoming new co-directors

Active Lives HIT aims to influence strategic commissioning through the delivery of research and services which evidence the impact physical activity has on health, wellbeing and reducing health inequalities. The HIT has appointed two new co-directors, Lisa Wood from WeSport and Professor Fiona Cramp, from UWE’s Centre for Health and Clinical Research, who takes over as Chair from Professor Charlie Foster.

Developing an Active Lives network

Participatory systems mapping initiated by the HIT has identified key relationships holders within Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG). This will help identify the most appropriate routes to support the Integrated Care Board to embed physical exercise into care pathways, capture its effectiveness to influence sustainable funding decisions and strengthen networks that support physical activity across BNSSG.

Addressing health inequalities

The HIT is working with voluntary, charitable and social enterprise organisations to promote physical activity within underserved populations.

For example, funding from the HIT enabled Bristol Sport Foundation to analyse data about their sport and physical activity programme run in five inner-city and east Bristol primary schools. The Foundation hopes to expand this model, to support the targeting and evaluation of activities by physical activity providers across BNSSG to address the region’s health inequalities.

The HIT continues to support boat building and rowing projects at All-Aboard Watersports, thanks to funding secured in 2021 from NHS Charities Together.

Reducing and responding to falls

Falls account for 2,100 in every 100,000 emergency hospital admissions in England for people over 65. Through Age UK Bristol the HIT developed an ICS Falls proposal which supported Locality Partnership Group plans and delivery of local interventions for their communities promoting strengthening, balancing and mobility of those over 65 with two co-morbidities at risk of suffering a fall.

The HIT supported an Active Hospitals project in both the region’s acute hospitals to support improved conditioning of patients prior to discharge including training for ward-based staff.

Supporting outreach and engagement

The HIT supported successful outreach and engagement events, including Bristol Walk Fest and the NO LIMITS#2 photography exhibition which showcased exercise as a part of healthy ageing.

Funding enabled in 2022-23

Active Lives HIT helped secure £18,890 in 2022-23 for research, improving outcomes and addressing health inequalities.