Health
Embedding physical activity into the health and care system
ukactive’s Health Programme supports the integration of physical activity across prevention, treatment and long‑term condition management. We work with partners across health, government and the physical activity sector to strengthen pathways, build capability and ensure communities can access trusted, community‑based support to stay well.
What is the Health Programme?
The UK’s health and care landscape is evolving rapidly, with Integrated Care Systems, neighbourhood health models and prevention‑led priorities reshaping how health is delivered. ukactive’s Health Programme ensures the physical activity sector is recognised, equipped and embedded within this system as an essential partner in prevention, rehabilitation and population health.
This work provides a coordinated approach for the sector – reducing fragmentation, aligning standards and connecting organisations to health partners through evidence, capability building and collaborative delivery.
Why this matters
How this work endeavours to help members and partners
- Creating new pathways into community facilities
- Strengthening relationships with NHS and commissioners
- Providing health data and insight to shape delivery
- Developing a capable, person‑centred workforce
- Offering frameworks and best practice for service alignment
- Helping organisations demonstrate outcomes and secure investment
- Enabling cross‑sector learning and shared delivery models
Our approach: The Five Pillars of the Health Strategy
ukactive’s Health Strategy is built around five interconnected pillars that guide our partnerships, programmes and wider system influence.
Pillar 1: Strengthening health pathways
We work to integrate physical activity into prevention, care and rehabilitation pathways across national and local health systems. This includes expanding programmes like the MSK Health Hubs, supporting weight‑loss medication pathways, and aligning operators with neighbourhood health pilots and commissioning frameworks.
Pillar 2: Developing the workforce for health
We champion a more person‑centred, health‑ready workforce, advocating for advanced practitioner accreditation, stronger alignment with social prescribing and primary care, and training that equips teams to support people with complex social and health needs.
Pillar 3: Policy leadership and advocacy
ukactive amplifies the sector’s voice across NHS, government and system‑wide forums. We shape policy narratives, contribute evidence, coordinate sector campaigns and ensure the value of physical activity is recognised across national priorities such as Active Ageing, MSK and Get Britain Moving.
Pillar 4: Innovation, insight and evaluation
We help members use health data, outcomes frameworks and shared learning to design services, support commissioning conversations and demonstrate impact. Our work moves beyond social value to focus on outcomes, utilisation and real health improvement.
Pillar 5: Digital integration and data standards
Seamless pathways rely on shared datasets and digital systems that connect leisure, health and social care. ukactive works with partners to define minimum data standards, explore digital referral pathways and support integration with national platforms, including the NHS App and wider digital health infrastructure.
Current Health projects
MSK Health Hubs
Community-based support for musculoskeletal conditions
Active Ageing
Enhancing strength, balance and social connection for older adults
Neighbourhood Health Pilots
Testing integrated health models with local partners
Weight‑Loss Pathway Support
Working with prescribers to deliver wrap‑around activity support
Moving Together
Structured physical activity to support long‑term condition management
Opportunities for collaboration
As a Sport England system partner, ukactive works closely with national and local organisations — including Active Partnerships, CIMSPA, NHS stakeholders, local authorities and charities — to coordinate action, reduce duplication and create scalable, place‑based health solutions. We welcome new partnerships that help expand access, develop pathways and improve health outcomes in communities across the UK.
Have a Health Partnership enquiry?
If you’re interested in collaborating, commissioning, or getting involved in our health programmes, complete the form below and our team will get in touch.