Meet the Team - Lesley Hill, Director of Partnerships

Next up in our Meet the Team feature, our Director of Partnerships, Lesley Hill, shares what inspires her passion for physical activity and what she enjoys most about the Black Country!

1. Describe your role and responsibilities as Director of Partnerships.

I have the privilege of working with the ABC team to oversee the development of strong, trusted and effective relationships with stakeholders, adding value to local partners’ work, and uniting partners to create the conditions to enable Black Country people to be physically active.

2. How is Active Black Country making a difference in getting people active across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton?

Active Black Country is playing a key role in bringing partners together to ensure that we understand our people and places. Each place has its own unique communities, structures, assets, geography, challenges and opportunities. When places are understood, these local identities and structures are key to unlocking solutions to create more active cultures, behaviours and environments. We have seen the impact of this and the value of bringing multiple stakeholders together to understand, connect, collaborate and influence.

3. What do you like most about the Black Country?

The rich diversity of the Black Country in terms of its people and assets is something we should be proud of.

4. In your work, what has been your biggest personal achievement recently?

Bringing partners together to work on community spaces and places and the canal infrastructure work. By collaborating with different stakeholders, we have raised the profile and importance of the assets that contribute to lasting benefits for local people and communities. Through assessing needs, prioritising projects and working with partners, a potential pipeline of investments is coming to fruition. It makes me proud to contribute to stronger partnership working. The breadth and depth of partners with whom we are working has increased, which is having a positive impact in creating the right conditions for Black Country people to be physically active.

5. Describe yourself in three words?

Collaborative. Committed. Determined.

6. Describe what physical activity means to you and how it benefits your physical and mental wellbeing?

It provides ‘me time’. It enables me to look after myself which makes me feel healthier and happier.