Active Forever Wins Innovation Award

Lincs Inspire’s ‘Active Forever’ Wins Prestigious Innovation Award at Health and Care Excellence Awards.

Lincs Inspire is proud to announce that its flagship wellbeing initiative, Active Forever, has been awarded the Innovation Award at the North East Lincolnshire Health and Care Excellence Awards (October, 2, 2025).

The accolade recognises the programme’s significant impact in empowering local residents to take control of their health, wellbeing, and confidence through supported, accessible physical activity. 

In particular, the award celebrates the steps that the charitable trust has recently taken to extend and develop the Active Forever programme, creating more opportunities and making the programme even more accessible.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive this award,” said Ben Frary, sport and health improvement manager for Lincs Inspire.

“Active Forever is changing lives every day – helping people reconnect with their health, build confidence, and find a sense of community and purpose.

“Funding from the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund has enabled us to widen our impact. We’ve been able to recruit new members to our wellbeing team, offer the 12-week programme at a subsidised cost, create a new wellbeing space at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre and offer new support services, all aimed at reaching a wider audience.”

Active Forever is a 12-week supported physical activity programme, designed for individuals recovering from surgery, managing long-term health conditions, or returning to exercise after a period of inactivity.

The programme offers a personalised and inclusive approach, delivered in a safe, social, and welcoming environment. Participants are referred into the scheme via GPs and healthcare professionals across North East Lincolnshire.

The programme sets out to support residents living with long-term health conditions, disabilities or age-related mobility restrictions and benefits include, improved physical health and mental wellbeing, and reduced social isolation.

The funding and subsequent growth of Active Forever, has allowed Lincs Inspire to recruit two new members to their wellbeing team, based at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre. Crucially, these team members have lived experience of health conditions themselves – bringing empathy, understanding, and expert guidance to every step of the journey.

Additionally, the extended services now include a buddying programme, pairing new participants with trained volunteers for added support to those most vulnerable members.

Immersive virtual tours of Lincs Inspire’s leisure centres are also helping reduce anxiety for first-time visitors.

Mr Frary added: “This vital funding is helping to break down barriers and ensure that more people – regardless of background or ability – can improve their health and wellbeing.

“At its core, Active Forever is about connection, confidence, and community. The programme has already helped countless individuals manage their health more effectively, build friendships, and rediscover their independence.

“Whether someone is recovering, facing future surgery, or just looking for a fresh start, Active Forever supports them every step of the way. Winning the Innovation Award is a proud moment for our team – and a testament to what we can achieve when we support each other.”

Lincs Inspire extends heartfelt thanks to the healthcare professionals who refer into the programme, the dedicated staff and volunteers who make it happen, National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, and – most importantly – the participants, whose stories inspire others to take that first step.

To find out more about the Active Forever programme, or to volunteer as a buddy, visit Lincs Inspire’s Wellbeing Fayre on Sunday, October 5th, at Grimsby Health and Wellbeing Centre from 10am to 3pm. 

Alternatively, email activeforever@lincsinspire.com, phone (01472) 323100, or visit www.lincsinspire.com