FSEM and APNO to co-lead new phase of physical activity pathway integration for people living with long-term health conditions
Sport England has appointed the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK (FSEM) and the Active Partnerships National Organisation (APNO) to co-lead the next phase of work – Moving Together – which will focus on creating physical activity pathways for health and care. The work will be funded by Sport England through the National Lottery.
The aim of this two-year programme is to improve the pathway between health and physical activity for people living with long-term conditions. It will promote real autonomy for people, ensuring they feel empowered and supported, with a clear and proportionate pathway between health and physical activity.
The start of this programme follows significant preparatory work with stakeholders across all sectors including the consensus statement on risk led by FSEM, the PROACTIVE cross sector roadmap and extensive 15-month co-production work focusing on physical activity pathways, led by APNO who worked in partnership with Move Consulting. This project, which finished in March 2025, was also funded by Sport England through the National Lottery.
Dr Natasha Jones, President of FSEM and Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine, will lead this work on behalf of FSEM which is the governing body for the speciality of sport and exercise medicine in the UK.
Dr Jones advised: “For too long, people who stand to gain the most from increasing their physical activity, have come across systemic barriers which serve to undermine their confidence and autonomy. These barriers are not rooted in evidence. I am delighted by the cross-sector positivity for this agenda which truly reflects the universal acceptance that there is a need for change. I am confident that our collaboration can and will make the necessary journey together. “
APNO’s contribution to the new work will be led by its Strategic Health Lead, Annie Holden, who said: “We are extremely pleased to have been asked by Sport England to co-lead this important work alongside the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK.
“The project will be truly cohesive, using a collaborative approach to work across both the health and physical activity sectors, to deliver our ultimate aim of ensuring that people living with long-term health conditions feel empowered to move more and that the people that work with them feel supported to help make that happen.”
FSEM and APNO have been asked to co-lead this work by Sport England and the organisation’s Strategic Lead for Health and Wellbeing Policy, Tom Burton, explained why: “We’re delighted to support this important work which looks to shift both culture and processes in how we support people into ways of being active that work for them – ensuring the voice of lived experience is at the very heart of this approach. This work builds upon multiple pieces of insight and evidence, including the Consensus Statement on Risk, and requires true cross-sector collaboration.
“Providing frictionless physical activity pathways for people living with the symptoms of long-term health conditions is a significant key to unlock many of the challenges faced by the sector in supporting people on their physical activity journey. We are excited to be working alongside the Active Partnership National Organisation and the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK to bring about real and lasting change.”
As with previous projects focusing on this work, FSEM, APNO and Sport England will be working closely with senior representatives from the health, physical activity, and voluntary sectors, to ensure that they harness their knowledge and influence to drive forward the policy changes that are needed to improve the journey and experience for people living with long-term conditions.
This collaboration is supported by the charity, Nuffield Health who have partnered with FSEM to work through the initial pilot phases and will remain involved throughout, working closely with leisure providers.
Partners on this programme of work will include CIMSPA, NHS Horizons, the Richmond Group of Charities, and ukactive, as well as the 42 Active Partnerships from across the network.
This announcement follows the Government’s recent unveiling of its 10 Year Health Plan which highlights prevention as one of three key shifts to help everyone to live well for longer. With the new plan in mind, the Moving Together programme of work, co-led by FSEM and APNO, will now have even greater significance.