GM leaders chart ambitious course on Conveners Podcast

By GM Moving | 10 February 2025 | TAGS: GM Moving, gm moving in action

Four senior leaders have been bringing the Greater Manchester Moving in Action strategy to life on The Conveners Podcast throughout December and January.

GM Mayor Andy Burnham, Warren Heppolette (NHS GM and GM Moving Board), Eve Holt (former Strategic Director at GM Moving) and CEO Hayley Lever have all appeared on the podcast.

With health and place at the forefront of so many people's minds right now, the episodes offer listeners the chance to learn more about the impact of GM’s devolution journey to date.

They spoke to host, and GM Active Chair, Andy King on what’s worked here in GM and what new ground our movement for movement could break into in the coming months and years.

Covering everything from health inequalities to systems change, the guests shared how movement and physical activity led locally, and system enabled, helps everyone to live a healthy, happy life. 

In addition to sharing more about where we are enjoying successes already, The King’s Fund, for example, labelled GM the ‘poster child’ for devolution, there are bold ambitions for the future.

In one episode, GM Mayor Andy Burnham, said:

“We’re pitching to the government to be the first large scale prevention demonstrator when it comes to health.

“We think the GM system has reached a degree of maturity that enables us to pitch an ambitious proposal which is a Live Well system.

“(This would be) created with a structure whereby voluntary and community organisations at a locality level are partners in providing a structured offer to the public – potentially for those diverted from a GP practice into a Live Well model.

“I think, at the heart of that, would be a really good physical activity offer for people of all fitness levels, all abilities, disabilities, everybody. And that’s what I would like to see.”

Reflecting on the series, GM Moving CEO, Hayley Lever, said:

“It was great to join colleagues in sharing the Greater Manchester story with listeners of The Conveners Podcast. I hope they get plenty from the four episodes.

“The podcast created a great space to step back and reflect on our journey so far, but even more exciting is the fact we continue to develop and progress this work for the city region.

“We know we have more work to do and look forward to working with partners in the city region, and further afield, to create even better conditions for active lives for all.”  

The Conveners podcast, supported by Future Fit, delves into how the leisure sector collaborates with health and social care, enhances health and reduces inequalities.

Listen to every episode of The Conveners podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

To learn more about the GM Moving in Action strategy, and how it’s helping create long-term sustained system and behaviour change in Greater Manchester, get in touch.