The wellbeing and physical activity sector is at an important point. Services are becoming more complex, and health inequalities are growing. Because of this, we need leaders who can bring real change and work together across different areas. This is where The Transformational Leadership Programme comes in, which has been created by GM Active, John Oxley, and Future Fit Training, and has helped over 200 leaders in Greater Manchester get the skills and confidence to lead change in leisure, wellbeing, and public health services.
The results so far show just how effective this programme is. For example, Life Leisure grew its membership by 42% in just 30 months by improving branding and customer relationships, all driven by leadership-led initiatives that followed the Transformational Leadership Programme Other organisations involved have introduced new leadership habits like weekly reflection meetings and wellness huddles, which help teams keep learning and improving. Leaders are also working on projects that connect leisure services with health and social care, helping to break down barriers and offer better support to communities.
The programme keeps updating to meet new challenges. It now includes peer-led learning groups that encourage people from different organisations to share ideas and work together. It also uses reflection tools to help leaders solve problems in new ways. Plus, it offers leadership tools designed especially for public health and community wellbeing work. This fits well with Sport England’s ‘Uniting the Movement’ strategy, which says working across different sectors is key to helping people live more active lives and champions leadership collaboration as a driver of long-term participation and wellbeing.
What makes this programme different is its focus on leadership that puts wellbeing first, including the 100-day leadership plan here which supports participants to apply learning in real-world contexts from day one. It’s not just about managing tasks but about inspiring and supporting others. The programme teaches leaders how to create environments where people can grow and succeed together, helping build stronger teams and healthier communities.
The success across the 12 organisations in GM Active shows how good leadership can make a big difference. It helps change how leisure and wellbeing services are planned and delivered, connecting them better with public health goals. The bigger goal is to show how physical activity can improve health, boost the economy, and help local communities thrive.
Right now, strong and thoughtful leadership is more important than ever. For organisations wanting to shape the future of health and wellbeing, investing in leadership is a must. The Transformational Leadership Programme gives leaders the tools, support, and confidence to make a real impact.
If you want to find out how this programme could help your organisation, click here to learn more: Transformational Leadership Programme – Future Fit for Business.