Oldham Active has created the new role of head of health and wellbeing to tackle inequalities by strengthening links with the healthcare sector and expanding its exercise referral schemes.

Lauren Connis has been promoted to the role which sees her joining the executive management team of the Greater Manchester-based community trust and will focus on several key strategic priorities to position Oldham Active as a leader in community health.

Her primary aims include strengthening vital partnerships with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Primary Care Network (PCN), as well as overseeing the expansion and rebranding of the trust’s exercise referral scheme.

“I'm passionate about creating opportunities for everyone to move a little more every day,” says Connis. “Part of my continued commitment with Oldham Active is to identify health inequalities and under-represented communities and deliver programmes that redress this imbalance.

“I'm going to continue to work on more projects and initiatives, as well as bringing in more funding to improve the health of residents within Oldham. There are so many health inequalities within the community and my focus is to bridge this gap and improve our offer to serve everyone in our community.”

Having joined the trust two years ago as group health and fitness brand manager, Connis already has a track record in boosting participation among the under-represented groups. Her achievements include the introduction of a Women’s only Gym, which launched at the end of February. It has seen month-on-month increases in membership and at least 75 per cent of users are from Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities.

Connis also expanded the Young Persons Membership scheme, by upskilling the fitness professionals and launching young people-only group exercise classes – including the introduction of Blast, a class designed for young people. This has resulted in young people accounting for up to 25 per cent of new memberships each month.

Simon Blair, deputy CEO of Oldham Active, says: “Since joining Oldham Active, Lauren has consistently delivered key health and fitness projects, improving our wellbeing offer including gym provision, group exercise programmes, health referrals and community-based services. In her new role she will be instrumental in shaping the future of leisure trust. We can't wait to witness the positive changes.”

Sport England’s latest Active Lives survey showed that while participation is tracking upwards, the same cohorts are still losing out on activity.