Engaging in Commissioning Leisure and Library Services

Central Bedfordshire Unitary formed in 2009 The population 255,000. The population size is expected to increase to 287,000 by Mainly rural with some key market towns Above average employment and life expectancy

Our vision

…in practice

Great lifestyles Improving health, wellbeing and independence’ Promoting healthy lifestyle choices Public health and wellbeing initiatives Supporting people to stay independent for longer

Our Plan A comprehensive Leisure Strategy –Chapter 1 Leisure Facilities adopted January 2013 –Chapter 2 Recreation and Open Space adopted March 2014 –Chapter 3 Play Pitches for adoption March 2014 –Chapter 4 Physical Activity adopted September 2013 A new leisure management contract from April 2014 awarded £30m of capital investment approved Investment at all 6 leisure centres Two new football centres

Background Sport England/ c CLOA Sponsored 8 authorities Aim - Improve local authority Sport and physical activity teams to engage more effectively in commissioning Expert advisor 13 days support Develop an action plan and case study Offer future peer support

Purpose Improve our understanding of the commissioning opportunities locally. Appraise our current service offer and identify how this might be re-shaped, with other potential delivery partners, to optimise our collective resources Improve buy-in/endorsement of the role of physical activity can play to deliver improved outcomes.

To date… New Leisure Management contract – focus of delivering broader outcomes with children’s services £120k + Public health funds used to support delivery Management of GP referrals overhauled, new 50+ programme, introduction walks from libraries Successful bids for PA grants, and network for delivery

The process Interview with 15 key stakeholders – lead members, CCG, public health, children’s services, social care, CSP Desk top review of key strategic documents – JSNA, Health and Wellbeing Strategy, CCG Five year plan Self assessment Key messages and priorities Workshop on feedback and action planning Expert clinical input opportunity

What they told us Our PA programme is well received but not well known Clear links with the refreshed H&WS Open door for leisure to support commissioning priorities. Open to new models and partnerships, with genuine interest in contribution PA can make to Prevention, Re- ablement, Resilience, Wellbeing

Opportunities Promote and raise profile of our service offer Demonstrate how PA helps deliver H&WS priorities and better outcomes for service users Immediate opportunities for PA in areas of health and social care - Lifestyle Hubs, Integrated Drug and Alcohol Services Help shape commissioning – and support commissioning priorities eg Weight Management, mental health

Key Priorities 1.Raise awareness of the service offer with partners 2.Make the case for Physical Activity 3.Think bigger - reach beyond current Physical Activity programme to support outcomes for other service users.

1. Raise awareness of the service with partners Develop prospectus with core message - Clear strategic direction for PA, aligned with H&WS - Opportunity for partner engagement at PA network - Broker access to a wider market place for PA including leisure learning and cultural spaces - Illustrate with track record of delivery - use eg non swimmers, 50+, Activity for Health (GP referral)

2. Making the case for physical activity Simple clear message to partners of the evidence - Medical conditions - Economic impact - Case studies External clinical expert offer

Simple messages Natural Killer Cells These cells target viruses and cancer cells and are released during physical activity. Their levels subside after about six hours.

The Brain Physical Activity Prevents Depression by 30% Dementia by 40%

3. Think bigger, reach further Have ambition Shape commissioning plans – establish PA into main contracts weight management, mental health Support current contracts – drug and alcohol Embed into workforce health initiatives Workforce development – raising the importance of PA promotion in every service user contact – refresh training Consider ‘place’ opportunities– eg Dunstable Leisure Centre

Getting traction Invited to put PA into drug and alcohol recovery pathways Place at Promoting Independence Partnership ( Aging Well) Influencing seat at H&WB Made the case for embedding PA into H&WS priority Enabling people to stay healthy longer Reviewing PA targets from NIS to inactive Invited to deliver a pilot weight management service Asked to support public health campaign – suicide prevention, dementia care, flu vaccination and health checks across library and leisure services. Core public health team funded 12 staff ( 2 from each leisure centre) are attending three days training on Mental Health Joining up lifestyle hub, leisure centre, library and sustainable transport projects. Explore opportunities with voluntary sector eg BRCC village care schemes and falls prevention

Lessons learnt Be clear about your offer, show its value and how you can help make it available Identify how you can influence the commissioners – we will use our seat at the H&WB, but also need to build mutually beneficial relationships between public health and cultural services Be responsive to commissioners requests in order to support new relationships The importance of well informed champions – senior officers and members. Be receptive to learning and change, ask for advice and support from SE