The BIG Food Debate: Implications for a Modern Society

Thursday 18th October

The Holiday Inn, Liverpool City Centre

For more information about Heart of Mersey or to download presentations from the event please visit www.heartofmersey.org.uk

Wednesday 24th October

City of Manchester Stadium

For further information about Young Advisors, presentations and photographs from the event please visit www.youngadvisors.org.uk

Delegates at the conference can access copies of the workshop presentations below:

Young Advisors Workshop

The Extended Police Family 

The Role of the Local Councillor

The Housing Perspective

Greater Manchester Arts and Health Network

The Lowry, Salford Quays

Wednesday 21st March 2007

The Greater Manchester Arts & Health Network is a project developed through the Greater Manchester Arts Officer Network and funded by Arts Council England, North West and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA).  The project aims to build a strong network of Arts & Health practitioners and projects and raise the profile of good practice in Greater Manchester and its significance in contributing to health priorities.  Further information about the Greater Manchester Arts and Health Network can be found at http://www.wlct.org/gmahn/gmahn.htm (copies of the conference presentations are available through this site).

The Network will be held a free conference on Wednesday 21st March 2007 at the Lowry in Salford Quays.  The aim of the conference was to demonstrate how arts and health best practice can fulfil Local Area Agreement, key health and well-being priorities, and to develop professional approaches and partnerships.  Speakers included Harry Cayton, National Director for Patients and the Public from the Department of Health, Dr Ruth Hussey, Regional Director of Public Health from NHS North West and the Conference Chair was Clive Parkinson from Invest to Save Arts in Health Project. 

A North West Food and Health Task Force Conference

Lancashire County Cricket Ground, Manchester

Wednesday 24th January 2007

The NW Food & Health Action Plan was launched at this conference, which was attended by 150 people.  The Action Plan outlines the links between food and health, and highlights why and how specific actions to improve food and nutrition can significantly reduce ill health and health inequalities in the North West.

For further information about the event please click here.

Tuesday 5th December 2006

Blackburne House Conference Centre, off Hope Street, Liverpool

This conference considered how a fitter and healthier workforce can increase performance and productivity in the workplace. The aims of the event were:

• To introduce companies to the concept of workplace wellness
• To highlight the need for effective policy & structure
• To promote best practice in workplace healthy lifestyle provision

Speakers included Dr Lindsey Dugdill (University of Salford), Len Almond (The BHF National Centre), Alison Gilfoyle (Well at Work Programme), Mark Haig (Healthworks/Haig Associates), Martin Ashton (NW Food and Health Task Force), Martin Murphy (The Performance Consultant) and Alistair Dornan (VieLife and WELL).

The Evolution of Physical Activity

Tuesday 28th November

Blackburn Rovers FC, Ewood Park, Blackburn

Events Northern were delighted to be the Event Managers for the North West Health and Physical Activity Conference for the second year running.  Once again over 240 delegates and 25 exhibitors attended the conference from all over the UK. 

To read the conference report from this year's event please click here.

For further information about the North West Health and Physical Activity Forum and the conference please visit http://www.nwhpaf.org.uk/ or click here.

SPEAKERS INCLUDED: Professor Finn Bergrenn, Professor James McEwen, Dr Ruth Hussey and Andy Worthington. 

Wednesday 8th November 

JJB Stadium, Wigan

Events Northern were delighted to continue their links with the health sector by event managing this conference.  The conference was organised on behalf of the North West Health Trainer Hubs and 200 people registered for the event. 

Previously Events Northern event managed 3 Health Trainer consultation events in the North East, North West and the Midlands.  These events were on behalf of the University of Durham and the Department of Health.  To read this conference report please click here. 

Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th July 2006

Croxteth Hall and Country Park, Liverpool

The Liverpool Community Games were delighted to be a part of the Myercough College Country Fair at Croxteth Park.  Over the 2 day event we offered sporting competitions, entertainment, circus skills, obstacle courses, tug of war and giant games.  Everything was free and over 500 children took part, many of them winning prizes such as footballs, skipping ropes, yo yos, and arts equipment.

30th June 2006

The Conference Centre at LACE, Liverpool

This was a one-day conference aimed at those wanting to make membership meaningful in NHS Foundation Trusts.  

Chair:  Rosie Cooper MP, Member of Parliament for West Lancashire and former Chair of The Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust  

“NHS Foundation Trusts will pioneer a new model of social ownership, giving local communities real opportunities to get involved in the stewardship of their local hospitals”         (Department of Health, January 2004)  

Foundation Trusts (FTs) are a new type of NHS organisation.  They are controlled and run locally, not nationally, and are accountable to their members and the communities they serve.  They have increased freedoms meaning that they can tailor their services to best meet the needs of their local population. The government is committed to seeing all NHS Trusts able to apply for Foundation Trust status by 2008.  Some 500,000 people are already registered as FT members.  But what difference have they made and been given the opportunity to make?  Have they been truly empowered to influence the future of their Trust and indeed the NHS?  Is their membership meaningful?   This conference addressed the experience so far of FT membership.  It stressed the positive nature of membership and explored the opportunities it presents to strengthen the voice of patients and communities to have an impact on improving health services.  In addition, the conference looked at some of the practicalities in engaging and communicating with the membership and included a perspective on the FT relationship to the wider patient and public involvement agenda.   The day’s programme gave delegates the opportunity to hear about developments and the latest thinking in respect of Foundation Trust membership and learn from the experience of speakers and workgroup facilitators at the cutting edge, offering a unique combination of ideas and actions.  

THIS CONFERENCE WAS KINDLY SUPPORTED BY COMPUTERSHARE

The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare

16th June - 16th July 2006

Various presetigious venues across the North West, including Whalley Abbey, Skipton Castle, Buerton House and Rivington Hall.

Events Northern were pleased to assist Dean Taylor Productions with the marketing and sponsorship of the tour.  The tour was another success and we are looking forward to next year already!

"a night to remember" - Lancashire Evening Post

"perfect entertainment when Dean Taylor Productions take to the lawns" - Bolton Evening News

If you may be interested in finding out more about sponsorship and hospitality packages please contact us for further details.

Tuesday 27th June 2006

Wigan Investment Centre, Wigan

This free conference was produced on behalf of the North West Food and Health Task Force, with over 100 people in attendance.

The Role of the Social Economy in Community Well Being

9th March 2006

Conference Programme at The Communiversity 9.30am - 2.15pm

Public Exhibition at Croxteth Sports Centre 9am - 3.15pm (next door)

Well Being describes the physical, mental and emotional health of a person. 

Social, environmental and economic factors can all impact on the well being of an individual. 

This conference presented both a celebration and a challenge....  It was a celebration of the significant achievements of the social economy in partnership with the NHS, RSLs, Local Authorities and other statutory agencies in improving health and well being.  It also challenged these partnerships to identify the way forward to achieve even more. 

The public exhibition focused around community well being and offered interactive opportunities around health, including alternative therapies, beauty treatments, gym inductions, health testing, performances, laughter clinics, healthy food, exercise and relaxation classes.  

The conference and exhibition was kindly sponsored by Smoke Free Liverpool and Directed by The Communiversity.  The conference and exhibition was free of charge to delegates, visitors and exhibitors. 

The REACH Conference 2006

Tuesday 28th February 2006

Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

As the BIG lottery fund moves forward with the “Children’s Play Programme” regional groups and strategies are being coordinated to promote play opportunities for youngsters.  With increasing levels of inactivity and overweight children from age three and upwards, discussion and dissemination about the role of play in the context of health behaviour and physical activity was urgently required. The conference was of particular interest to those concerned with “physically active play”.

The content of the conference involved a mixture of research and policy, bringing together play strategies and current research and evidence on physical activity in play settings. Presentations from the Children’s Play Council, Learning through Landscapes and the REACH group were supported by workshops from other experts in the field.The REACH Group (Research into Exercise, Activity & Children’s Health) has been involved in physical activity research during play since 1992 and is at the forefront of research focusing upon young people, exercise and health. For more information about the group or to take up free membership please visit http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/psd/reach/

Working in Partnership to Develop a Sensible Approach to Alcohol

31st January 2006

The LACE Conference Centre, Liverpool

AS FEATURED ON GRANADA NEWS ON 31st JANUARY!

This national conference focused on the impact of alcohol on modern society and highlighted ways different agencies and organisations can work together to encourage sensible, social drinking practices across the UK.   

There were keynote presentations and workshops from Professor Mark A. Bellis, the Beer and Pub Association, the Department of Health, Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority, the Portman Group, City Centre Safe Initiative, Tacade and Healthworks.

The conference was well attended by over 100 delegates from a variety of backgrounds across the UK.

North West Health and Physical Activity Forum Conference 2005

Thursday 17th November 2005

JJB Stadium, Wigan

This conference presented a unique mix of international presentations, parallel sessions and small workshops, supported by a 'market place' exhibition of best practice.  This was a truly participatory event and an invaluable networking opportunity for those involved at all levels in the field of physical activity development.

Speakers included:

• Professor John Ashton CBE, NW Regional Director of Public Health
• Art Salmon, Ed.D.  Ministry of Health Promotion, Ontario, Canada
• Alison Giles, Department of Health
• Dr Gareth Stratton, The REACH Group/ LJMU

6th September 2005

Total Fitness, Wilmslow, Cheshire

This small, discussion-based conference considered how health messages can be delivered effectively through the use of events within a community setting.

This event aimed to:

• encourage usage and development of events for health promotion
• share best practice and enable case studies to be shared
• educate how to use events most effectively and measure their value
• enable networking between delegates interested/ working in this field
• establish the first annual conference in this field
• respond and grow according to the needs of the industry

Over the past 10 years there has been an increasing trend for the public, private and voluntary sectors to engage with local communities on issues relating to lifestyle choices using a wide range of health promoting events - from the very basic health information and contacts fair, right through to large scale participatory events.  But how effective are these events at improving the lifestyles of the audience they target?

Often these events have just been evaluated on the basis of the number of participants attending, as opposed to the more time consuming and costly process of investigating the long term impact of such events on lifestyle change.  Many organisations are now wanting to address this issue, providing a challenge in identifying what is the most cost effective way of evaluating the longer term impact of a lifestyle event.

This one day conference and networking event introduced delegates to the theory behind running such events and provided a detailed look at evaluation models appropriate to such settings.  Delegates heard 3 different examples of best practice  and were able to take the lessons learnt from these back to their own organisations.

24th August 2005

Bootle Stadium, Bootle, Merseyside

Jim Browne of the OK Community Association was so inspired by the Liverpool Community Games event last year that he decided to bring the event to Sefton so that his local community could also benefit.  Despite heavy rain throughout the morning youngsters gathered at Bootle Stadium to celebrate sports, arts and culture at this inaugural South Sefton Community Games.

Attracting in total more than 500 people, the free family fun day at Bootle Stadium has been hailed such a huge success that the Games will now become an annual event.

The South Sefton Community Games 2005 was very kindly supported by Orrell & Captains Green Neighbourhood Action Group, South Sefton Primary Care Trust, OK Community Association, BReathe +, Sefton Council Leisure Services and Sefton CVS.  This event has been supported by the South Sefton Partnership with resources from the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund.

20th August 2005

IM Marsh Campus, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool

This year the Grand Final took place at the excellent facilities at the IM Marsh Campus of Liverpool John Moores University.  The Lord Mayor of Liverpool officially opened the event and voiced his support.  Across the site stilt walkers and other entertainers encouraged the children to try their best and to have a go at the numerous demonstrations, displays, taster sessions and activities available. Visitors to the event were also invited to use graffiti art to produce special canvases to visually celebrate the Liverpool Community Games and the enjoyment of sport and physical activity.  

The sun was shining and a good time was had by all at the event!  The Games Grand Final was one of events celebrating 20/08 in the countdown to Liverpool European Capital of Culture.  

The Liverpool Community Games 2005 was kindly supported by North Liverpool Primary Care Trust, The Community Foundation, Liverpool Active City and Liverpool Capital of Culture.  The Games are proud to be a part of the Physical Activity Strategy for Liverpool.

Research into Exercise, Activity and Children's Health;  A ParticipACTION Conference

The Conference Centre at LACE, Liverpool

Thursday 26th May 2005

This conference was on behalf of the REACH Group and featured physical activity, nutrition and policy workshops of interest to anyone working with young people. 

The REACH Group (Research into Exercise Activity & Children’s Health) is at the forefront of research focusing upon young people, exercise and health.  For more information about the group or to take up free membership please visit

The Chair of the conference was Dr Gareth Stratton, Chair of the REACH Group and Keynote speakers at the event included Dr Alan Batterham, Senior Lecturer in Exercise Science, University of Bath and Dr Allan Hackett, Reader in Community Nutrition, Liverpool John Moores University.

The focus of the event was physical activity, nutrition and policy, presented with a fresh approach, through participation combined with action. The workshops aimed to involve delegates in discussion based on evidence from academics and practitioners, to enable ideas to be shared and effective practice and evaluation disseminated.  Workshops included:

• Active Transport
• Health Evaluation
• NHS Health Trainers
• North West Health and Physical Activity Task Force
• Childhood Obesity and the New LEAF Project
• SportsLinx; Diet and Nutrition
• SportsLinx; Health Enhancing Physical Activity in School
• Shokk; Improving Physical Activity Provision

During two panel meetings facilitators came together to review the key issues from their workshops and present a summary to the whole delegation, to enable best practice to be shared. Delegates left the conference with action points appropriate to health, physical activity and nutrition promotion as defined by the white paper for public health. 

This conference was attended by public health professionals, policy makers, sport and leisure development, health and physical activity educators, nutritionists, schools, academics, private health and fitness and those with an interest in promoting physical activity and nutrition in young people and delivering the goals of the Government White Paper for Public Health. 

The Conference Centre at LACE, Liverpool

Thursday 21st April 2005

This was a one day conference for those concerned with positive transitions in healthcare through patient and public involvement.

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) is an increasingly critical component of the design and delivery of modern health care.  PPI takes place in a dynamic environment - the NHS.  The Health Service is ever changing and therefore the PPI aganeda must be creative, flexible and ready to meet the challenge of the next inevitable transition.  This conference addressed the current transitions being experienced throughout health care.  It stressed the positive nature of transition and explored the opportunities it presents to strengthen the voice of patients and communities to have an impact on improving health services.

The conference programme gave delegates the opportunity to hear about the latest developments in PPI and learn from the experience of speakers and work group facilitators at the cutting edge.  The Chair for the conference was Sharon Grant from the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health.  Anna Coote, Director of Patient and Public Involvement at the Healthcare Commission also gave a keynote speech.  Delegates chose to attend one of the following workshops at the conference:

• Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees
• The Expert Patient Programme
• PPIs Statutory Framework
• Mental Health and PPI
• Involving Children
• Older People

The conference was attended by NHS Managers, PPI Managers and staff, service users, Patient Forum representatives, members of Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees, NHS Non Executive Directors, Patient Advice and Liason Service staff, the voluntary sector and those with an interest in meeting the needs of patients.

Physical Activity, Sport and Health; An Education Based Approach

The Conference Centre at LACE, Liverpool

Thursday 9th December 2004

This conference considered the impact of school based physical activity and sport on children's health and brought together key speakers from across Europe.  Professor Paul de Knop was the headline speaker; Paul is the author of 'World Wide Trends in Youth Sport' and has organised more than 60 youth sport projects around the world.

Participation in regular moderate physical activity is now widely recognised as a major component of health promotion and disease prevention.  Reaserch suggests that many young people spend less than the recommended one hour a day participating in physical activity and they are therefore losing out on the many potential benefits such as health and wellbeing, acquisition of new skills and knowledge, self worth, independence, improved educational attainment, enjoyment and social integration.  This is not just an issue for curriculum PE however, as this one hour of activity can be accumulated throughout the day and can be carried out as part of transportation (walking/cycling to and from school), physical education, break time and pre/post school activity, sport, active play or structured exercise.  Schools therefore need support from PCTs, Local Authorities and the wider community to help pupils to reach these recommended physical activity levels; both by providing them with suitable opportunities and also helping them to acquire the skills, understanding and confidence to pursue activity outside of school.

This conference enabled delegates to gain an understanding of the importance of promoting physical activity within the school environment, considered some of the very latest research and thinking in the area of school sport and physical activity and offered practical examples to take away and to share.

The Investment in Cultural Capital for Health Think Tank

Alder Hey Education Centre, Liverpool

Wednesday 10th November 2004

On Wednesday 10th November 2004 the Investment in Cultural Capital for Health Think Tank took place at the Education Centre within the Royal Liverpool Children’s Hospital – Alder Hey.  

Nearly 130 key decision makers from cultural, health and related policy backgrounds came together to actively discuss investment in cultural capital for health.  The event aimed to stimulate high-level debate, strengthen partnerships, build on good practice and influence forward planning throughout the North West region.

The Chair for the day was the award-winning theatre director and cultural ambassador, Jude Kelly OBE.  The event programme also included speeches from Dr David Colin-Thome (Head of Primary Care, Deptartment of Health), Peter Hewitt (Chief Executive, Arts Council England), Loyd Grossman (Chair of Culture Northwest), Rt Hon Estelle Morris MP and Professor John Ashton, all of whom are fully committed to seeing this agenda move forward.

During the day, delegates participated in balanced discussion groups on specific topic areas.  The Think Tank sessions all generated many questions and ideas and strongly highlighted the scope for joint working in the future. 

The event proved to be an excellent starting point and delegates left feeling motivated and committed to ensuring that culture and health will make a positive difference to the well-being and aspirations of our Northwest communities.

Immediate outcomes from the event include:

>  The You & Yours feature, BBC Radio 4, Wednesday 24th November 2004 with Estelle Morris (Minister for Arts), Ian Gibson and Professor John Ashton

>  Flux Magazine publishing an 8-page colour insert which will reach 100,000 health professionals in January 6th edition of Health Service Journal.  This publication has been funded by the Arts Council England and is the first stage of an advocacy campaign featuring North West case studies

>  Input from the day will be used to shape strategic development by Arts Council England NW and Public Health NW.  A bank of current case studies and a number of more focussed events are currently being planned

A database of Arts and Health contacts is currently being developed.  If you would like to be included please Contact Us.  Further information can also be found through the following links:

Culture and Health United

Press Release

Cultural Medicine Publication

Arts Council Publication

The Liverpool Community Games City-Wide Grand Final

Picton Sports Complex, Wavertree, Liverpool

Wednesday 18th August 2004

The Liverpool Community Games is a unique youth organisation which enables young people to take part in a variety of activities based around sports, arts and culture and to develop their personal, social, physical and mental skills.  The Games strives to unite communities through friendly competition and rivalry and to make Liverpool a happier city for young people to live.

In Liverpool thousands of children and young people have already taken part in this celebration of Sports, Arts and Culture.  In past years local Community Games events have taken place at various locations throughout the city including Everton, Speke Garston, Netherley Valley and Norris Green.  These participants then come together for the City-Wide Grand Finals, which takes place at Picton Sports Centre, Wavertree.  

This year over 500 children from across the city braved the rain to participate in the Grand Final.  They competed in both physically and mentally demanding activities including variety performances, a poetry and art exhibition, aswell sporting competitions in track and field athletics events, basketball and penalty shoot outs.  The emphasis was strongly on team spirit and fair play, with participation being more important than winning and all participants received a medal in recognition of their achievements.  The event was well attended by families, community groups and other spectators, aswell as by the Lord Mayor and Mayoress of Liverpool.  In addition to the competitions there were also a whole host of other activities, performances and taster sessions including circus skills, crazy golf, Irish dancing, judo, cheerleading and fitness testing.