Dannielle Roberts

This means two things sit at the heart of how I work:  

• Building strong and trusted relationships 

• Applying an ongoing cycle of test and learn, so that insights we gather along the way are used to shape what we do next. 

Much of my work has focused on physical activity, meaning I have a detailed understanding of the drivers of participation. I am an expert in creating welcoming environments, regardless of background or ability. 

Key skills and attributes  

• Background in research and behavioural science  

• Community & stakeholder engagement 

• Building trusted relationships 

• Acting as an advisor, enabler & problem solver 

• System & programme evaluation 

My Experience in place-based work 

Having worked in a range of research roles, I developed a love of learning but also at times felt frustrated that the insight being generated was too narrow, often going no further than a report or presentation. I wanted what we learned to mean something and to help change things for the better.  

When I first encountered whole-system and place-based working, they immediately made sense to me. They represented a way of working which considered the bigger picture, took account of complexity in the world, and embedded test and learn in everything. 

In 2021, I set up Proper Active, a strategic consultancy which would allow me to focus on applying learning to support change in communities by working in a place-based way.  

Since Proper Active began, I have had opportunities to work with brilliant people and Places. For example: 

• Strategy Leading the development of a place-based strategy to embed physical activity in health & social care in Cheshire & Merseyside 

• Planning Chairing sessions for GM Moving and their localities to review locality plans for GM Moving’s Sport England Deepening submission. 

• Enabling Acting as an enabler and ‘alongsider’ in Harlech, North Wales to build a network of local champions to support a place-based approach to embedding physical activity in a rural community. 

• Research Helping Together an Active Future to understand the value and challenges of their Shared Role model in their place-based approach. 

• Facilitation Facilitating NELP colleagues through a workshop to review and refine the Conditions for Change, which are a key part of Sport England’s approach to evaluating place-based work. 

• Evaluation Acting as the strategic evaluation advisor to Actif North Wales, helping them to develop a theory of change and measurement framework for their SPF funded regional place-based pilot.