NELCA Get Active Expression of Interest
Background
Last year, the North East London Cancer Alliance (NELCA) delivered three Community events in Barking, Hackney and Tower Hamlets, that increased peoples confidence to be more physically active, generated strong community engagement and improve visibility of local health and community services.
The events provided emerging clinical value, with healthcare professionals who were available to have informal conversations that supported early identification of health concerns and encouraged residents to access screening, prevention and support services.
This occured alongside social care and community support providers who were able to build meaningful connections with residents, raising awareness of local services and offering on the spot advise, signposting to relevant local services that complemented the clinical conversations taking place. .
The vents also uncovered a variety of different physical activity providers across the three pilot boroughs, by providing taster sessions for residents to dive into new interests, sport and physical activity. These community events demonstrating clear early benefits for residents and local systems.
What is the purpose?
While Cancer has a massive impact on those experiencing it, it affects far more than just the person diagnosed, it impacts families, friends, carers, children and whole communities. This often brings emotional, physical and financial challenges that can last long beyond treatment. These wider impacts can reduce confidence, independence and opportunities to stay active, particularly for those already facing health inequalities. physical activity plays an important role in supporting wellbeing and recovery, helping people across the community to feel stronger, more connected and able to live well. For this reason, NELCA is supporting community-based physical activity events that are inclusive and adaptable for families and children residents living with long- term conditions, including cancer.
Physical activity has been proven to:
- Help reduce the risk of developing some cancers and other long- term conditions
- Support people to manager their health and wellbeing
- Help people build confidence, stay independent and live well
This programme will fund organisations to deliver inclusive, community-based 'Get Active" events that promote physical activity for:
- Local residents of all ages and abilities
- People living with long-term health conditions, including cancer
- Communities who face barriers to being physically active
While NELCA and health partners will provide cancer-specific information and support, funded organisations are primarily being asked to deliver physical activity opportunities that can be adapted where needed.
Who can Apply?
Community, voluntary, faith and local organisations working in North East London are invited to apply.
Applicants must be able to:
- Deliver a community-based event in NEL Borough (Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Newham, Havering or Hackney)
- Promote a variety of physical activity in a way that is safe, inclusive and supportive
- Engage as many residents as you can, including people living with long term health conditions
What will organisations need to deliver?
Organisations receiving funding will be expected to plan, deliver and report on inclusive community-based physical activity events that meet local needs and can be safely adapted for people living with long-term health conditions, including cancer.
A weighted scoring system (0-3 per item) will be used:
| Score | Meaning |
| 0 | Does not meet criterion/no evidence |
| 1 | Partially meets criterion/limited evidence |
| 2 | Meets Criterion with good evidence |
| 3 | Fully meets criterion with strong, clear, detailed evidence |
Specifically, funded organisations will need to deliver the following:
1.Physical activity delivery
Organisations must deliver community-led activity that:
- Includes low, medium and/or higher intensity activity options, suitable for people of different ages, abilities and confidence levels
- provides adaptive and flexible options so people with long-term health conditions, including caner, can take part safely
- Offers a range of activities, such as taster sessions delivered by local physical activity providers
Activities should promote movement in a supportive, non-competitive way, helping people understand that:
- Regular movement supports physical ad mental wellbeing
- Physical activity can help prevent and manage long-term health conditions
- Small, achievable changes to activity levels are valuable
Organisations are not expected to provide clinical or cancer-specific support but must show how activities will be adapted and delivered inclusively.
2.Community engagement and outreach
Organisations will need to:
- Demonstrate a strong local reach within the borough(s) where events take place
Tailor engagement and promotion to underserved populations, such as but not exclusive to:
-Older adults
-Carers
-Inactive or less-confident residents
-People with long term conditions such as cancer
- Ensure that activities, promotion and volunteers reflect the local community and borough demographics
3.Event design, safety and quality
Organisations must show their ability to deliver safe, high-quality events by:
- Identifying suitable. venues that support safe movement (indoor or outdoor)
- Demonstrating appropriate risk management, safeguarding and event flow
Providing clear plans for:
-Accesibility (including mobility needs, older adults and families)
- On- site signposting and navigation
- Creating events that are welcoming, inclusive and encourage community connection
4.Evaluation and impact reporting
Organisations will be supported to:
Produce a standardised impact report, including:
- Attendance numbers
- Broad demographic information
-Activity participation data
-Qualitative feedback
-Outcomes such as confidence, awareness and motivation to be active
- Key learning and recommendations
- Report any safety issues, adaptations made or learning related to inclusive delivery
- Take part in a short debrief after the event
5. Sustainability and legacy
Organisations must outline how their activity will:
- Have the potential to continue beyond the funding period
- Connect participants to local physical activity pathways and opportunities
Funding Available
- Up to £10,000 per organisation
Funding can be used for:
- Venue Hire
-Activity instructors or facilitators
-Equipment or materials
- Promotion and community outreach
-Event delivery costs
Funding may be awarded at different levels depending on the scale and reach of the proposed activity. Expressions will be proportionate to the funding awarded.
Full Award £10,000
- Deliver one large event or a group of smaller events
- Offer a wide range of inclusive physical activities, with adaptations
- Achieve a total attendance of 100+ people
- Demonstrate strong community outreach and partnerships
- Provide a full impact report and show potential for ongoing activity
Mid Award - Up to £5,000
- Deliver at least one well-planned event or small series of events
- Offer inclusive, adaptable physical activity
- Reach around 40-70 people
Provide a short impact summary and outline next steps
Min award- up to £2,000
- Deliver a small-scale activity or taster session
- Focus on accessible, adapted intensity activity
- Reach 15-30 people
- Provide light-touch feedback and signposting to ongoing activity
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All funding organisations must
- Deliver activity by December 2026
- Ensure activities are safe, inclusive and accessible
- Submit agreed monitoring and learning information or impact report by end of January
- Attend catch up meeting with NELCA team
- Work alongside NELCA and partners (no clinical delivery required)
Expected Reach and Attendance
Funded organisations will be expected to demonstrate strong community reach and effective local promotion.
We expect that:
- A total attendance across the funded event(s) at least 100 people for larger awards
- Attendees are either patients and or residents living in North East London boroughs
- Organisations will develop their own promotional materials including (but not exclusive to) flyers, posters and social media posts.
When will events take place?
- Events should take place between June and December 2026
- planning should begin shortly after the EoI process is completed
Please complete the completed Expression of Interest form Here and send to nelondonicp.nelcanceralliaance@nhs.net, subject: NEL GET FIT
Deadline for expression of Interest: Friday 8th May, 2026
We will let you know the outcome of your submission at the end of May.
