Leaders from Bolton Arena met with partners to discuss ideas about how to help improve the health and wellbeing of the community and address health inequality across the borough.
The Active Health and Wellbeing Strategy workshop involved Arena managers, board members and partners.
It highlighted the importance of collaboration in helping to address health inequalities and was hailed a “huge success” by the Arena’s Managing Director Neil Hutchinson and its Chair of the Board of Trustees, Suzanne Hilton.
Neil said the session “played a pivotal role in setting the direction for our health and wellbeing strategy for years to come”.
Attendees talked about the importance of collaboration and highlighted opportunities such as menopause cafes.
They were told about the Arena’s gym that had changed to 24-hour opening last April and the positive feedback from members who worked shifts, or who wanted to work out very early in the morning or later at night and could now access the facilities whenever suited them.
Suzanne said: “I think everyone found it really useful and energising.
“We enjoyed a really productive afternoon with Bolton Arena colleagues and partners to develop an Active Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Bolton.
“I am delighted that Bolton Arena can be a catalyst for this important work and that key partners are clearly so on board. It really was a great example of the power of partnership in action.”
Richard Davis, who is Strategic Director – Place and Operations at Greater Manchester Moving, said: “It’s important that conversations like the one hosted by Bolton Arena are being held across Bolton.
“The historical and systemic challenges around inactivity and inequality are not going to be solved by organisations working independently without the insight and views of wider stakeholders.
“The arena has an important role to play in offering a range of sport and physical activity opportunities to the residents of Bolton and improving the health and wellbeing in their community.
“What is clear is the ambition of the board and staff to work alongside the council and other stakeholders and to reach into their community to fully understand the challenges and opportunities that exist and focus on making a difference.”
He added: “My hope is that these conversations continue, that communities continue to feel valued, and their voices listened to as organisations develop opportunities to enable active lives for all.”
Organisations represented at the event included Age UK, Bolton Council, Greater Manchester Moving, Bolton Cares and Andys Man Club.
Suzanne said: “As a self-sustainable, social enterprise and registered charity rooted in Bolton, the Arena’s board and staff are really excited to bring some shared leadership to this agenda.
“I would like to thank everyone for their contributions to making it such an enjoyable and productive afternoon.”
