Partner Event: Connecting Through Place

We proudly brought together partners from across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes for our latest Leap Partner Event – Connecting Through Place, hosted at the YMCA in Milton Keynes. Our very first Milton Keynes based partner event focused on exploring how local context, relationships, shared leadership and collaboration can drive meaningful change in tackling physical inactivity and reducing inequalities.

The morning opened with a welcome from Mark Ormerod (MK Place Programme Chair), setting the tone for a collaborative and reflective session, followed by an interactive icebreaker and a series of interactive sharing and learning sessions. Where attendees explored practical examples of place-based work in action. The day then provided a snapshot of the Milton Keynes Place Expansion Programme (PEP), alongside national insights from our guest speaker Chris Perks looking into place-based approaches. Followed by a series of fast-paced “power updates” highlighting activity, opportunities, and developments across the network.

Above all, the event created space for connection between people, organisations, and places. Supporting partners to build relationships, share challenges, and continue working together to make active lives the norm for everyone.

You can explore all presentations, case studies and resources from the day below.

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Next Event: Topic to be finalised

Book your place at our next event on Wednesday 14th October 2026

Connect with Partners

Find contact details for partners who attended the event and continue the conversation, share learning, and build new collaborations.

Key Presentation slides & Summaries

View the Keynote speakers slides from the June event: Connecting Through Place

Working in Place Sharing Sessions Slides and Summaries

The summaries below capture the key themes, discussions and learning shared during each session, providing insight into the different approaches being used to support healthier, more active communities.

Full Presentation slides

View the full presntation slides from the June event: Connecting Through Place

Truby’s Garden Community Connectors Slides

This session showcased the progress, achievements and learning from Truby's Garden, a Muslim faith charity in Milton Keynes.

Bucks Place Universal Work Resource

The session shared early learning from the Bucks Place Universal Investment work, which focuses on the Aylesbury South West area.

Resident health & wellbeing programme with the YMCA

This session provided an overview of YMCA South Midlands' Resident Health & Wellbeing Programme.

MK PEP Schools Cycling (Two Mile Ash) Slides

This session shared learning from two active travel incentives in MK

Case Study: Uniting the Active Travel Movement - Greenleys Junior School

Case Study: Uniting the Active Travel Movement - Two Mile Ash School

Open University resident voice report including playzones example

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Partner Event: Connecting Through Place

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