Fenland Place-Based Partnership

Back in 2024, Sport England’s Active Lives Survey data identified Peterborough and Fenland as our priority areas to target our place-based work.

In October 2024, we were funded by Sport England for a two-year development project to work with local leaders across the sectors to explore the current physical activity system, identify what is working well and where there are opportunities for improvement. This funding will allow the Fenland Place Partnership Steering Group to build a foundation for system

change and leadership development. This opportunity will leave a long-term legacy by hardwiring physical activity into the priorities and budgets of all key system partners for Fenland.

Alongside system change there is a focus on the local areas that are most in need, and the opportunity to run Test & Learn pilot projects, to trial what physical activity should be offered.

Fenland Place Partnership

Back in 2024, Sport England’s Active Lives Survey data identified Peterborough and Fenland as our priority areas to target our place-based work.

Fenland was found have high levels of physical inactivity and poor health, particularly in Wisbech and March. It ranked within the 20–30% most deprived local authorities and has pockets of significant disadvantage within the district. The data also revealed extremely high levels of physical inactivity for children and young people with 7 in 10 not reaching recommended guidelines.

For more information on our place-based working, click here.

Fenland Place Partnership Steering Group

The Steering Group plays a pivotal role in guiding and shaping the development of this 2-year project to ensure its success. The key objectives are:

There's a female white coach at the centre of the image who's got short blonde hair and is wearing a red track suit. On her left there's a black girl in a blue shirt and on her right there's a white boy wearing a blue shirt.

Guide collective decision making

Shape the direction and development of the Project by making collaborative, strategic decisions.

Three white women are standing on a field. They all have slicked hair back and are wearing football gear. One woman is wearing a grey jacket, one is wearing a blue shirt and the woman on the right is wearing blue and yellow striped kit.

Leverage local expertise

Provide ad-hoc advice to other aligned projects or programmes of work linked to the group’s mission in Fenland.

There's a group of people walking down a path in a park. There's two men at the front who are white and are both wearing glasses. The men on the left is wearing a grey sweater with a blue fleece and on the right he is wearing a grey half zip-up fleece.

Build partnership networks

Contribute diverse skills, knowledge, and build strong connections to support and enhance the project’s impact.

There's four people where three are white and one is black. They're turned around with their backs. They're wearing blue shirts.

Amplify community voice

Represent community voices not directly involved in the group, ensuring a broad and inclusive approach.

Our shared goals

We are committed to improving the lives of people living and working in Fenland, by using a collaborative approach and empowering communities to participate in more physical activity and improve health and wellbeing.

All Fenland Steering Group members contribute collaboratively to strategic decision-making, drawing on their expertise and networks to amplify the voices of stakeholders and communities. They actively monitor progress and assess risks and support delivery. To enable the most impactful physical activity programmes we used what is called a ‘system maturity matrix framework’, which outlines the essential conditions for enabling physical activity and monitor the development progress.

Core values

Inclusivity
Transparency
Respect

Steering Group working timeline

Using local data and insight, the steering group has identified priority groups and locations for Test and Learn Pilot projects, specifically focusing on young people aged 11–18 years. These pilots explore how local spaces can be better valued and utilised to support physical activity among youth and reducing anti-social behaviour. Updates will be added below as available.

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Fenland Place Partnership

In Fenland, our focus has been on community consultation. We have engaged with community staples such as Manea village to map local transport options, facilities, and community sentiments to identify barriers to physical activity. The March Imaginarium event held in 2025 provided invaluable insights into residents’ activity preferences and challenges in staying active.

Andy Coles, Place-Based Fenland Lead

Get involved

Our goal is to create a healthier, more active future for everyone. By focusing on areas of greatest need, we aim to ensure that no one is left behind, and every community has the opportunity to thrive through sport and physical activity.

Email us at info@living-better.org.uk