Join Us at the Somerset Moves Strategy Partner Engagement Event 2026
Creating the Conditions for Change
Wednesday 30 September | The Canalside, Bridgwater
What does it take to create lasting change?
How do we build healthier communities, stronger partnerships and systems that help more people move more?
These are the questions at the heart of this year's Somerset Moves Strategy Partner Engagement Event.
Bringing together colleagues from health, local government, education, community organisations, sport and physical activity, this annual event is an opportunity to learn, connect and help shape the future of physical activity across Somerset.
A day designed around creating the conditions for change
This year's event is built around a simple idea: lasting change doesn't happen through one organisation or one programme alone. It happens when people, communities and partners work together to create the right conditions.
Throughout the day you'll move through three key themes:
Inspire
We'll begin by exploring why creating the right conditions matters.
James Watmough from Sport England will set the scene, sharing the wider context for system change and the opportunities ahead, before keynote speaker Alison Kervin OBE explores the behaviours and cultures that enable people, organisations and partnerships to thrive. Drawing on four decades interviewing more than 250 Olympic champions and world-class performers, Alison will share insights from The Elite Code, encouraging us to reflect on how the way we work, lead and collaborate can shape healthier, more resilient communities.
Explore
Choose from a range of interactive Learning Labs, designed to provide practical ideas, new perspectives and opportunities for reflection.
Sessions include:
- Leading the Culture You Want to Create – exploring leadership, behaviours and creating positive cultures.
- Changing Conversations: Changing Outcomes – discovering how relational working and strengths-based approaches can transform the way we work together.
- Designing with Intention: Creating Positive Experiences for Children & Young People – exploring physical literacy, positive experiences and the conditions that help children build a lifelong relationship with movement.
- Include Me: Creating Welcoming Experiences for All – learning how Activity Alliance's 10 Talk to Me Principles can help create welcoming, inclusive opportunities for disabled people to be active.
These workshops are designed to leave you with practical ideas you can apply in your own role and organisation.
Connect
The afternoon shifts the focus from learning to collaboration.
Following a facilitated networking activity centred around the question "What questions are you holding?", delegates will join one of several interactive Conversation Spaces.
Each Conversation Space begins with a short introduction before opening into facilitated discussion, giving participants the opportunity to explore ideas, share learning and build connections across sectors.
Topics include:
- Best Start in Life
- Exploring the Story of Neighbourhoods
- Movement Matters: Finding the Right Words
- Creating the Conditions for Change
- Leading Change Together
- Place-Based Working: What Are We Learning?
- Creating the Conditions to Thrive - Education, Regulation & Physical Activity
- Insight, Data & Decision Making
These conversations are designed to surface ideas, explore challenges and strengthen collaboration across the Somerset system.
Help shape the future of Somerset Moves
As we enter the fourth year of the Somerset Moves Strategy, we're taking the opportunity to reflect on what we've learned and help shape the next chapter.
During the event, delegates will take part in a live interactive session exploring priorities, opportunities and emerging challenges across Somerset. Your insight will help inform the ongoing refresh of the strategy and ensure it continues to reflect the needs of our communities and partners.
Because everyone has a role to play in creating an active Somerset.
Move Your Way
We'll also be putting our learning into practice with Move Your Way, a fun, inclusive movement break designed to demonstrate one of the day's key messages: movement looks different for everyone.
Whether you join in fully, adapt the movements to suit you or simply enjoy the music, this shared experience celebrates the importance of creating welcoming, judgement-free environments where everyone feels able to take part.
Who should attend?
This event is for anyone with an interest in creating healthier, happier and more active communities, including colleagues from:
- Health and care
- Local government
- Education
- Community and voluntary organisations
- Sport and physical activity
- Public health
- Housing
- Social care
- Community development
Whether you're leading strategic change, delivering services on the ground or supporting your local community, you'll find opportunities to learn, share ideas and make new connections.