Jenni Connelly
University of Sterling | Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity and Health
'Community: How local community projects can affect your membership'
Her presentation explores how involvement in local community projects can transform and strengthen the health and wellbeing of residents.
Community projects and involvement create opportunities for collaboration, shared purpose, and visible impact, increasing pride and long-term commitment. This presentation will be a whistle top tour on some of the projects Jenni is involved in with various community groups to look at the impact that physical activity and sport have on physical, mental and social health.
Simon Baker
GT3 Architects | Senior Architect
'People-Led Design, Commercially Driven Results'
GT3 will explore how thoughtfully designed physical activity spaces strengthen commercial viability while delivering meaningful social impact. Through our People Architecture approach, we start by understanding how people move, connect and use space, translating those insights into environments that drive footfall, increase dwell time and support long-term financial resilience.
We’ll reflect on how community-led design, adaptable spaces and genuine accessibility create leisure environments that are welcoming and socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. Drawing on projects such as Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre and our wider work, we’ll share how designing with people leads to stronger engagement, broader participation and exciting, flexible destinations that remain successful.