Evaluation of the Barnsley Older People Physical Activity Alliance (BOPPAA)

Evaluation in progress, expected completion December 2026

At a glance

People in the UK are living longer, but many are spending more of their later years in poor health, living with long-term conditions, disability, or frailty. In Barnsley, these issues are even more common than in many other parts of the country. Older people in the area can also experience loneliness, social isolation, and difficulties accessing physical activity opportunities, which can lead to falls, reduced independence, and a lower quality of life. These challenges also increase demand on health and social care services.

To help tackle these challenges, the Barnsley Older People Physical Activity Alliance (BOPPAA) was established in 2021 and is funded until March 2027. The alliance brings together over 80 local organisations, including Barnsley Council, Age UK, NHS services, leisure providers, and community groups. Working together, they offer activities and support to help people aged 50 and over stay active, improve their wellbeing, and remain socially connected.

As part of this evaluation, we will look at how well the alliance is working and how organisations work together to support older people. We will explore who is benefiting from the activities and support on offer, whether any groups are being missed, and what could be improved. By listening to the experiences of partners and older adults, we will identify strengths, challenges, and opportunities to help the alliance have an even greater impact.

What does the evaluation mean for Local Government?

This evaluation will generate applied, practice-relevant evidence to inform decision-making by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and partners involved in supporting healthy ageing and physical activity.

The findings will provide insight into the reach of the BOPPAA, including the extent to which activities and services engage different groups of older people and whether there are populations that may be underserved or less likely to participate.

The evaluation will also provide a detailed understanding of how the alliance operates, including how organisations collaborate, how activities are coordinated, and the factors that support effective partnership working. A visual map of the alliance network will help illustrate connections between organisations and identify opportunities to strengthen collaboration across the borough.

Furthermore, the evaluation will generate practical recommendations to support service development, future commissioning, and strategic planning. This will help Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, physical activity providers, and community partners make informed decisions about how best to strengthen provision, increase participation, and maximise the impact of the alliance.

Overall, the evaluation will support more effective partnership working and contribute to local efforts to help older people remain active, healthy, independent, and socially connected.

How are the public involved in the evaluation?

Public involvement is embedded throughout the evaluation to ensure that the research remains relevant, inclusive, and informed by the experiences of older people in Barnsley.

The evaluation works closely with an existing Social Inclusion Group (SIG) in Barnsley, made up of 10 local residents, some of whom attend BOPPAA activities and some who do not. In addition, two members of a Public Advisory Group (PAG) are involved in the evaluation, providing independent perspectives, advice, and critical review throughout the project. These public contributors are involved at key stages of the evaluation, including proposal development, planning data collection activities, stakeholder workshops, and the interpretation of findings.

Older adults from across Barnsley, whether they currently take part in BOPPAA activities or not, will also be involved in the evaluation through interviews, focus groups, and other data collection activities. Family members and caregivers may also contribute, providing valuable insights into their experiences and views on how physical activity opportunities and support for older people could be improved.

The evaluation is supported by a Core Evaluation Group, which meets fortnightly to oversee study delivery, review progress, and address any operational or methodological issues. The group includes representatives from Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council’s Public Health and Adult Social Care teams, Age UK, Public Advisory Group members, and the research team.

By involving older people, families, caregivers, and public contributors throughout the research process, the evaluation aims to ensure that the findings are meaningful, accessible, and useful for improving opportunities for healthy ageing, physical activity, and social connection across Barnsley.