For people living with long-term conditions, movement is deeply personal. 

Through engagement and co-design, participants shared experiences such as: 

• Leaving the house for the first time in months. 

• Managing anxiety well enough to visit a leisure centre. 

• Finding ways to stay active despite pain or fatigue. 

• Adapting everyday activities to support wellbeing. 

The challenge was not simply encouraging people to move more. The challenge was helping practitioners move beyond advice-giving and towards conversations rooted in people’s strengths, aspirations, lived experiences and personal circumstances.  

Working alongside GM Moving, Manchester and Trafford LCO and community partners, Collaborate Out Loud co-designed and delivered a new conversation model centred around: 

• Wellbeing rather than weight. 

• Movement rather than exercise. 

• Curiosity rather than advice. 

• Strengths rather than deficits. 

• Relationships rather than transactions.  

The work included: 

• Co-design workshops with communities and practitioners. 

• Conversations with people living with long-term health conditions. 

• Development of training materials and resources. 

• Delivery of workshops across Greater Manchester. 

• Development of a Train the Trainer approach to support wider adoption.  

Participants explored new approaches including: 

• Movement-focused language. 

• Values, Beliefs, Needs and Wants. 

• Core Emotional Concerns. 

• Strengths-based affirmations. 

• Person-centred conversations.  

The project created a scalable, person-centred conversation model that continues to influence how practitioners across Greater Manchester talk about movement and wellbeing.  

The programme helped practitioners shift conversations away from weight, fitness and compliance, and towards: 

• Wellbeing. 

• Joy and connection. 

• Personal motivation. 

• Confidence and self-belief. 

• What matters most to individuals.  

The impact was measurable. Evaluation showed a significant reduction in participants associating movement primarily with weight, diet and health outcomes, alongside a significant increase in confidence levels following training.  

“Collaborate Out Loud has helped transform how we think about conversations around movement, physical activity and sport. Their person-centred, non-judgemental approach has enabled our workforce to focus more deeply on what matters to people, helping challenge barriers and inequalities rather than reinforcing them.” 
Claire Tomkinson, Strategic Lead – People & Leadership, Greater Manchester Moving 

“The Moving More Different Conversations project transformed how we think about physical activity, helping staff and partners focus on the benefits and joy of movement and creating more inclusive conversations for everyone.” 
Emma Gilbey, Programme Director for Long Term Conditions, Manchester Local Care Organisation 

“The programme helped embed a more person-centred approach to movement across our workforce, focusing on people’s motivations, joy and connection rather than activity alone. The Train the Trainer model will be key to expanding this approach across our communities.” 
Carly Heselwood, Health & Wellbeing Manager, Trafford Leisure 

Language Can Either Open or Close a Conversation 

Participants consistently reported that conversations framed around exercise, fitness or weight loss could sometimes feel judgemental or unrealistic. The language of movement felt more inclusive and accessible, helping people engage without fear of failure or judgement.  

People Want to Be Seen as Whole People 

The project showed that people living with long-term conditions want conversations that recognise their wider lives, including their relationships, aspirations, values and personal circumstances. Conversations became more meaningful when practitioners started with what matters to people rather than focusing immediately on activity goals.  

Core Emotional Concerns Provide a Practical Framework 

The Core Emotional Concerns model resonated strongly with participants. Following the workshops, 91% reported that they intended to use the framework in future conversations, with many identifying it as one of the most practical tools introduced.  

Practitioners’ Perspectives Changed 

The Bolton evaluation demonstrated a significant shift in attitudes. Before attending, participants strongly associated movement conversations with weight, diet and health outcomes. Following the workshops, they adopted a broader understanding of wellbeing and person-centred support. Statistical analysis confirmed this change was highly significant.  

Confidence Grew Across the Workforce 

Participants reported significantly increased confidence following the training and felt better equipped to: 

• Support behaviour change. 

• Distinguish wellbeing from health. 

• Explore movement in personalised ways. 

• Have strengths-based conversations.  

Relationships Are the Intervention 

Perhaps the most important insight was that meaningful change begins with relationships. Trust, curiosity, listening and understanding were repeatedly identified as the foundations of effective conversations. Helping people feel heard and understood often proved more powerful than offering advice.