Obesity pathway innovation sandpit series

About the events

Obesity is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer and a major contributor to ill health. With obesity costing the UK health service more than £11 billion each year, action to tackle the condition is urgently needed. The government has committed to working with industry to trial innovative approaches to treating obesity as part of a rounded package of care.

We’re hosting two sandpit events in London to bring together experts across the sector, starting with a deep dive discussion into the challenges of obesity care and working towards practical solutions in collaboration with the health and care system.

What is a sandpit?

A sandpit is an intensive, interactive workshop where a diverse group of stakeholders from different backgrounds, organisations and skillsets come together to brainstorm and develop new ways to tackle complex challenges through open discussion and collaborative idea generation, often leading to the identification of potential funding opportunities for innovative solutions.

Who should attend?

We’re interested in hearing from you if you might have a role to play in innovating obesity pathways, including, but not limited to:

• Companies of any size, including SMEs and social enterprises, providing weight management services.
• Digital providers with experience in prescribing or wider weight management services.
• Human centred design experts or system integrators.
• NHS funders (ICBs, Health Boards etc) interested in piloting community-based models of weight management care.
• Public sector organisations providing weight management services.
• Charities or voluntary groups with specific focus on obesity or obesity related health conditions..

Sandpit series

First sandpit

13 March 2025: 10:00 – 16:30
This sandpit is aimed at deconstructing and reframing this complex challenge into defined, human-centred problem statements.

Second sandpit

10 April 2025: 10:00 – 16:30
This sandpit will focus on supporting creative ideation and validating practicable, safe, effective and efficient solutions.

These sandpits have been developed with the intention that both should be attended, the second sandpit following on from the experiences of the first.

Whether or not you plan to attend our sandpit events we still need your input.

If you have any questions on this activity, please contact us here: healthylives@iuk.ukri.org.