Active Connections

Active Connections is a programme of works that HSP operate, funded by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) Public Health, which seeks to improve the understanding and integration of physical activity within healthcare settings in Hertfordshire. 

A variety of approaches are implemented within this work, including: 

• Working directly with Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to gain Active Practice status, supporting them to embed physical activity into their surgeries for both their staff and patients. 
• Develop greater networking and connection between health systems and physical activity.
• Upskill primary, secondary, and personalised healthcare professionals on the benefits of physical activity and improve knowledge of local physical activity opportunities.

Tools and Learning Resources 

To improve Healthcare Professionals’ (including Personalised Care staff) knowledge around the benefits of physical activity, and how to identify and signpost to suitable local opprtunities, HSP staff have produced the following resources and opportunities: 

• Browse our resource bank of physical activity material for healthcare use. 
• Presentations at GP protected learning time and strategic meetings to promote and connect key physical activity opportunities and resources.
• Organise and/or deliver training opportunities for healthcare and Personalised Care staff.
• Encourage GP surgeries to sign up to the Active Practice Charter to help encourage patients and staff to be more active.
• Create a network of Healthcare Physical Activity Champions (HPAC).
• If you're part of a PCN and want to challenge your staff to move more, take a look at our fully-funded Active Connections Hub and sign your staff up today. 
• Improve your knowledge of the value of the physical activity sector on social prescribing.
• Improve your connections with local exercise referral schemes.

I am a Healthcare Professional: How can I best connect with the Active Connections programme?

Discover who HSP are and how we can support your healthcare network with getting more people, more active, more often. HSP and partners can attend your events and meetings e.g., Target Events, Wellbeing Days, Protected Learning, Lunch & Learn sessions, Team Meetings, Integrated Neighbourhood meetings and anything else you see benefit in us joining. 

In addition to our own staff, HSP can arrange for other local physical activity partners to attend your engagement sessions to help promote connections locally. 

If you have an opportunity that you would like HSP to engage with, please contact us using the details at the bottom of this page. 

Find out more about the Active Connections programme from our latest webinar: