Whole System Approach

The Challenge

Buckinghamshire Council identified the need to strengthen their physical activity strategy and take a more collaborative, system-wide approach to increasing activity levels across the county. Recognising the importance of embedding physical activity into wider public health priorities, they sought to develop a shared vision, a clear mission, and a coordinated action plan that could drive forward change.

Having previously supported Buckinghamshire Council on the Whole System Approach to Healthy Weight, Move Consulting was invited to lead this next phase of work—bringing partners together, clarifying direction, and shaping practical tools to support long-term action.

Our Approach

Our work focused on building shared understanding, creating alignment across strategic priorities, and supporting stakeholders to take collaborative action.

We began by reviewing the existing physical activity strategy, local data, and relevant national guidance to identify strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement. We then worked closely with the council to design a workshop that brought together stakeholders from across the public health system. This session provided space for collective reflection, co-design of shared goals, and joint ownership of future action.

In parallel, we developed a suite of practical tools to support ongoing collaboration—drawing on our understanding of behaviour change, whole system thinking, and strategic planning.

 What was delivered

As part of this project, Move Consulting provided:

• A review of the existing strategy and wider context, drawing from local, national, and global evidence
   
• A collaborative stakeholder workshop to develop shared understanding, build commitment, and co-design actions
   
• A structured action planning framework to support consistent tracking of system-wide priorities and progress
   
• A supporting orientation video and guidance to help stakeholders engage with the action plan confidently and independently

Project impact

The work has created strong momentum across Buckinghamshire’s physical activity system. By clarifying purpose, building cross-sector connections, and providing user-friendly tools, stakeholders are now better positioned to coordinate efforts and embed physical activity into broader public health work.