Unifying perspectives: ‘Connecting the Dots’ across the sector
The state of the nation’s health and wellbeing is currently at a critical point, and the sport and physical activity workforce is facing some of the biggest challenges to date to overcome the various dilemmas that the population is experiencing.
‘Connecting the Dots’ will address and explore the role of our workforce in tackling these challenges. The CIMSPA Conference 2025, taking place on 24 September at King Power Stadium, Leicester will see professionals from across the sector come together to connect, share insight and analyse the key work happening by our passionate people.
Thrilled to be welcoming back the premier event of the sector, Tara Dillon, CEO of CIMSPA said,
“We’re really excited about the CIMSPA Conference which we’re delighted is returning after five years. We’ve got an incredibly exciting programme planned and whether you’re a practitioner, manager or leader, an employer or education provider, it’s an event that you won’t want to miss.
Our conference theme is ‘Connecting the Dots’ and we’ll be exploring how, through innovation and collaboration, our sectors workforce can be the key to improving the health and wellbeing of the nation, delivering social value and unlocking economic growth.
The event programme is being finalised, but speakers will include policymakers and leaders of innovative practice across the sector, along with inspirational sport and physical activity professionals.
We’re looking forward to seeing you there.”
As part of the jam-packed programme, delegates can tailor their conference experience through workshops being delivered across four focus themes. Each theme addresses a particular area that is being developed by the workforce and provides key insights into the progress and evolution of these areas. Let’s take a closer look.
Paving the way for a healthier, more active society
Our ‘Health and Active Wellbeing’ theme will explore the vital role that our workforce plays in the prevention and management of health conditions, and how demands on health services can be addressed through innovative practice.
Around 20-40% of adults in the UK are living with multiple long-term health conditions, with the figure rising to more than 50% in over 65-year-olds. With chronic health conditions such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease on the rise, the sector has a crucial role to play in their prevention and management through the implementation of physical activity programmes and community projects. By utilising physical activity as ‘medicine’, exercise professionals have a responsibility to work with individuals to design exercise plans to support recovery and manage these long-term conditions.
From rehabilitation specialists facilitating a smooth transition back to active living, to personal trainers and group exercise instructors improving health through community programmes, every role in the sector can contribute. Furthermore, the sector is working more and more closely with healthcare providers to offer holistic approaches to managing health conditions. This interdisciplinary collaboration helps to create a cohesive support system for individuals in need.
Shaping the future of our sector
Our ‘Education and Career Development’ workshop shares the latest progress in learning and skills development and dissects how professionals across the sector can be supported to advance their career.
The workshop will consider flexible learning and the place-based approach to skills policy; taking a closer look at the functionality of Local Skills Accountability Boards and how the collaboration of the stakeholders involved enables the sharing of ideas and challenges, bringing innovation and solutions to the fore. Representatives ranging from employers, educators, local government, health commissioners and active partners all contribute to the local skills plans. By leaving their individual interests at the door, they ensure that as a collective we can deliver on what really matters and will have impact in that place. This work forms part of the drive toward greater professional recognition that we set out in our strategy, Releasing the Power of our Profession.
Read more about place-based development
You’ll also hear about the creation and implementation of projects here at CIMSPA such as the Careers Hub, supporting individuals to find a great career in the sport and physical activity sector, and the Training Academy for Sport and Physical Activity; enabling access to the highest quality training and development opportunities for sector professionals. These form part of the fundamental work set out in our strategy to allow the workforce to gain a professional status and be recognised for the fantastic work that they do.
Building stronger teams
‘Workforce Planning and Management’ will interrogate insight and data, plus, uncover what’s on and over the horizon to support employers and the sector as we consider the future shape of the sport and physical activity workforce. It will explore how recruitment, retention and staff development practices can be evolved and the potential implications of technology.
Having a clearly defined, agreed and adopted view of the sport and physical activity workforce is critical in moving the sector forwards. The availability of digital tools such as Data Lens and the Workforce Observatory providing real-world data and intelligence can help to enable employers and education and training providers to plan their operations, support the sector workforce and service the needs of customers.
Ensuring access for all
As physical inactivity in a number of communities continues to be stubbornly high, our ‘Inclusive Participation’ theme will focus on the role that professionals with lived experience have in addressing disparities in participation, particularly in those populations that are facing multiple challenges.
By identifying the barriers to exercise, local initiatives can be tailored to community needs and preferences. Through examples like local sports teams, fitness classes and activity cafés, professionals create safe, welcoming spaces where people from diverse backgrounds can come together. In addressing the barriers, these programmes promote inclusivity and trust within communities.
As a sector, we are placing an emphasis on representation to encourage inclusive participation: “You can’t be what you can’t see.” The workshop will share strong examples of how authentic professionals are breaking down barriers and creating opportunities, leading to more people getting active, improving health and wellbeing and social cohesion.
Clare Dunn, Associate Director – Business Engagement said:
“There are so many fantastic examples of our professionals and organisations across the sector of doing great work to inspire inactive individuals in under-represented communities to reap the benefits of being active.
Through our local skills work across the UK we’re seeing amazing impact at a local and regional level and we’ll be sharing examples of this at the conference and exploring how we can scale this brilliant work.”
The game-changer: Professional Status
Professional recognition underpins CIMSPA’s strategy, Releasing the Power of our Profession. This summer will see the launch of professional status, which will enable sport and physical activity professionals to be recognised based on the status that they are issued.
The CIMSPA Conference will be a prime opportunity to delve into all things professional status, and what it means for everyone within the sector.
Spencer Moore, Chief Strategy Officer of CIMSPA said:
“Professional status is the game-changer for our sector. To really harness the impact that our workforce has, the sector needs to be recognised for the unique solutions it brings in helping to address the biggest challenges that our country is facing in relation to the economy, health and wellbeing and community cohesion.
At the conference we’ll be sharing examples of how professionals working across our sector are connecting their provision and practice with health care professionals thanks to their recognised status.
We’ll also be illustrating the impact that have professionally recognised professionals has for employers including the way that it boosts service provision, customer engagement and recruitment and retention.”
Uniting the sport and physical activity community
Alongside a fantastic keynote and workshop programme, delegates will have lots of opportunities to connect throughout the day in our Exhibition and Catering Lounge.
Complete with dedicated networking zones and an interactive showcase, time in the Lounge will give you fantastic opportunities to catch up with familiar faces, make new connections, discover the latest product innovation and enhance your conference experience.
Connecting the Dots is your chance to discover the work going on in the wider sector and see how the work that you are doing is making a difference.
Tickets are limited and selling fast – don’t miss the chance to secure yours.
