Expanding Access to MSK Physical Activity Hubs in the Community

It is strongly desirable that a provider(s):

·       Is a Charity or a not-for-profit organisation (registered by Companies House, being utilised for distribution of funding). 

·       Has the capacity to set up and launch a minimum of 40 new MSK Physical Activity Hubs in the Community within an agreed timeframe (2/3 of Hubs established by end November 2026 with remaining 1/3 Hubs established by end December 2026). 

·       Has capacity to collect, collate and return the minimum set of management information data (see details above), as well as work with a Third-Party evaluation partner commissioned by the JWHD to facilitate evaluation of the service.

·       Has experience delivering or facilitating the delivery of non-healthcare centred MSK physical activity interventions across England.

·       Has experience of working with/enabling delivery at a local level with local NHS economies, Local Government and voluntary and community sector, including how to enable participation among underserved communities.

·       Has delivered or supported a range of different physical activity delivery options including in group-based, individual and online settings.

·       Has established networks at national and local level to facilitate identification of collaborators; delivery sites and ability to enable a connected, local systems approach (it is a requirement that a minimum of 50% of new MSK Hubs will be established in the 20% most deprived areas in England). You can identify those from this website: Local Deprivation Explorer 2025

Final eligibility requirements will be confirmed once the Advert goes live.

·       The DHSC / DWP Joint Work and Health Directorate is leading the development of a policy to expand access to MSK Physical Activity Hubs in the Community (MSK Hubs).

·       MSK Hubs will deliver evidence-based physical activity interventions in community settings to support individuals with MSK conditions in the prevention and management of their MSK conditions.

·       The primary objective is to create new MSK Hubs delivering physical activity interventions to individuals with MSK conditions to reduce pain and fatigue, improve their mobility, as well as promote wellbeing. The new MSK Hubs will seek opportunities to align with local employment/vocational support to support people with MSK conditions getting into and remaining in work.

·       This project is part of a programme of work being implemented by the Joint Work and Health Directorate to support individuals and deliver health and work outcomes, particularly for working age individuals and those in areas of highest need. There is a requirement that a minimum of 50% new MSK Hubs must be established in the 20% most deprived areas in England. You can identify those from this website: Local Deprivation Explorer 2025

·       The project will both expand access to and number of physical activity interventions available in the community through MSK Hubs, while strengthening the evidence base to inform which type(s) of interventions best support those with MSK conditions getting into and remaining in work. These Hubs will be aligned with but separate to primary and secondary care services and will help individuals with MSK conditions to reduce pain and fatigue, improve their mobility, promote wellbeing, as well as support those getting into and remaining in work.

·       MSK Hubs will be located in community venues, such as leisure centres, faith centres and community centres, in which physical activity interventions are delivered by non-healthcare professionals.

·       These interventions include group-based, digital, and self-guided activities and support from qualified instructors, to help improve mobility, reduce pain and fatigue, and promote wellbeing. As part of any proposals, we would also be interested in innovative delivery models, such as exploring different ways in which to deliver MSK physical activity interventions, including collaborations to establish MSK Hubs in local business settings.

·       MSK Hubs will enable participation and engagement by providing four free sessions at the point of referral (including from healthcare). To support participation for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, twelve free sessions will be offered to those referred from Jobcentre Plus teams and Health Model Offices. Qualifying referrals from WorkWell may also receive twelve free sessions where participants meet eligibility criteria around financial need.

·       The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has prioritised the MSK Hubs for evaluation and will build the evidence base for the intervention. The selected organisation will work closely with them to gather evidence.

We will hold two virtual workshops on w/c 23rd March.

These sessions are an opportunity to hear more from the Joint Work and Health Directorate about this project, provide feedback and to ask any questions.

The details to register for these events can be found in the How to apply section.

Attendance at one of these virtual workshops is not a pre-requisite to any potential future grant application, nor does it guarantee the success of any potential future related application. 

·       Workshop Dates:

o   14:00 – 15:00 Tuesday 24th March

o   10:30 – 11:30 Wednesday 25th March 

      Grant go-live date: Monday 30th March 

·       Grant close date: 23:59 Sunday 26th April 

·       Outcome release date: August 2026

          How to apply:

·       If you are interested in attending a workshop and finding out more about this opportunity, please fill out your details in this form to express your interest.

·       In this form, please indicate your preferred workshop date, and whether you may wish to apply for the Grant.

·       This will add you to our mailing list, which will be where all of our communications around the Grant, including new webinar dates and Grant details, will be sent.

·       Therefore, we recommend you sign up to this form even if you are interested in this Grant but cannot attend the workshops. 

    Supporting information:

If you have any questions, please contact the project team mailbox at jwhd.msk@dwp.gov.uk.

·       If you are interested in attending a workshop and finding out more about this opportunity, please fill out your details in this form to express your interest.

·       In this form, please indicate your preferred workshop date, and whether you may wish to apply for the Grant.

·       This will add you to our mailing list, which will be where all of our communications around the Grant, including new webinar dates and Grant details, will be sent.

·       Therefore, we recommend you sign up to this form even if you are interested in this Grant but cannot attend the workshops.