CSSC Transformation Programme

Our extensive transformation programme will ensure CSSC's continued relevance in a fast-evolving market.

CSSC Transformation Programme

Our extensive transformation programme will ensure CSSC's continued relevance in a fast-evolving market.

What is the CSSC Transformation Programme? 

To ensure CSSC continues providing the benefits and opportunities which bring value both to current and future members, we’re currently undergoing an exciting transformation and change programme. 

We’re assessing our most popular offers and anticipating future trends and needs for an ever-changing public sector. We’re seeking comprehensive feedback from members, volunteers, staff and partners to help shape our offering and deliver the kind of leisure benefits that people want and need to look after their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing, both inside and outside of work.

CSSC Devi Virdi Interim CEO Update

Hear from our Interim Chief Executive, Devi Virdi, on the importance of the Transformation Programme in steering CSSC into the next century.

Transformation Myths Busters

Let us dispel the myths surrounding the transformation work, get the facts and discover more about our transformation programme.

Myth:

Volunteers are not going to be part of CSSC next year

Fact:

Volunteers are an integral part of CSSC and that remains whatever our future operating model looks like...

Read the full fact in our myth buster document.

Myth:

Sport is being removed from CSSC

Fact:

Absolutely not. Sport is the reason why CSSC was formed back in 1921 and sport will continue to be part of the organisation...

Read the full fact in our myth buster document.

Myth:

The Regional Hub model is being rolled out to ALL regions at the end of this year

Fact:

The North West Regional Hub is a trial, one where we are piloting different initiatives to test what works, and what doesn’t...

Read the full fact in our myth buster document.

What our members say

"Third year attending and its continues to be a fantastic event and so much hard work is put in to organise"

Participant, Hockey Festival, May 2026

Happy sports team, with one teammate holding a trophy.Happy sports team, with one teammate holding a trophy.

"Michael - the organiser - was really helpful, friendly and approachable on the day and made it a really good session."

CSSC member, Padel event

Group of friends standing on a padel court. Group of friends standing on a padel court.

"This is a fantastic event, well organised with great facilities."

Participant, Hockey Festival, May 2026

Hockey Team standing for a group photo.Hockey Team standing for a group photo.

News & Updates

New Travel Support Fund launched to help more members get involved in sport

Thanks to support from the CSSC Community Lottery, CSSC has launched a new Travel Support Fund to help members who may otherwise miss out on taking part in sport because of travel costs. Available from 12 May, the fund replaces the National Travel Policy and has been introduced to make it easier for more members to attend CSSC sports events, focusing on those who need it most.

How the travel support fund works:

Laptop with tick icon representing application submission.Laptop with tick icon representing application submission.

1.

Apply before attending an event

Submit your application for Travel Support before attending a CSSC Sports Event.

Clipboard icon representing means-tested assessment.Clipboard icon representing means-tested assessment.

2.

Means-tested assessment

Applications are assessed through a means-tested process, including questions about your financial circumstances.

Hands holding sterling sign representing funding considered.Hands holding sterling sign representing funding considered.

3.

Funding will be considered

As funding is limited, support cannot be guaranteed, but we aim to help those who need it most.

Two people playing football icon representing event attendance.Two people playing football icon representing event attendance.

4.

Attend a CSSC sports event

If your application is successful, you can take part and enjoy CSSC sport.

May 2026 Update

The end of April saw the North West Hub team present an all-member update to mark the six-month point of the Regional Hub trial. The team covered the successes and challenges as well as a forward look of the next few months, followed by a Member Q&A. 

Trophy icon representing success and achievement.Trophy icon representing success and achievement.

Successes

  • Reduced administration burden for volunteers. Volunteers are enjoying the planning of events without the admin
  • Improvements to the regional webpage - better search functionality and navigation
  • Targeted newsletters aligned with seasonality - resulting in increased open rates
  • Collaboration with CSSC departments such as Recruitment - increased opportunities to be part of meetings with local authorities, schools and universities to promote CSSC in the North West
  • Increase in Workplace Engagement Champions - volunteers based in civil service or public sector workplaces who can share CSSC events and activities with their colleagues. 
Mountain icon representing challenges and growth.Mountain icon representing challenges and growth.

Challenges

  • Low member engagement across events - we tried new, innovative events and although well received, the take-up wasn't as expected.

  • Negative response to the changes with the subsidy model - we're trialling securing discounts at source, rather than at a cost to CSSC. While we have seen some success with this initiative with the team negotiating some excellent discounts, we haven't been able to secure the same level of subsidy on all our offers, the popular theatre shows being one example. 

Cog wheel icon representing actions and planning.Cog wheel icon representing actions and planning.

Actions

  • Re-introduction of popular activities:
Paintbrush and palette icon for arts and crafts.Paintbrush and palette icon for arts and crafts.

Arts and crafts with Hobbycraft

Tea cup icon representing afternoon tea.Tea cup icon representing afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea at Lytham Hall

Cricket ball hitting post icon for cricket.Cricket ball hitting post icon for cricket.

County cricket tickets.

  • Volunteer 1:1s to aid understanding of the subsidy model changes.
  • Using Volunteer Engagement Sessions to explain subsidy changes.
  • Trialling a new initiative with theatre shows in response to feedback. 
Calendar icon representing upcoming events and plans.Calendar icon representing upcoming events and plans.

Forward Look

  • For more great events and North West products, head to the regional page.

North West Member Online Focus Group

If you are a North West member and would like to share your views and help shape the region, we have recently launched an online forum which is currently made up of over 40 members. If you’d like to be part of this, please email Oisin, our Product & Partnership Coordinator on oisin.o'cleirigh@cssc.co.uk.

Sports Programme Update

Monday 13th July 12 - 1pm

Led by the Sports team, join the webinar to hear about the progress of the new-look Sports Programme and find out more about the exciting events and initiatives that are coming up over summer. This is open to all members.

ET Volunteer Engagement Session: August

We are taking a pause for August but will return in September to continue with our Engagement Series.

ET Volunteer Engagement Session:
September

Monday 28th September, 6 - 7pm

The Volunteer Engagement Series starts up again in late September. The Agenda is to follow but you can suggest your topics via the button below, and also register now. 

FAQs

Consultation & Member Input

We have consulted with our members to ensure that we have informative insight into member needs; through surveys such as the Annual Member Survey. To understand the transformation areas of volunteering and sport, we have spoken to hundreds of volunteers at Regional Conferences and asked for their feedback on the future of volunteering. Since November, we’ve engaged regularly with a group of Regional Chairs, Volunteer Committee reps, Sports Chairs and National Organisers to consult with them on potential models for volunteering and sport, requesting their input and ideas to shape what the future could look like.
This webpage will be our main method of communicating the transformation work with our members. There will be more frequent communications with our volunteers as they will be closer to the projects and we will look to engage with them throughout the work to ensure that our member needs are being met.

What This Means for You

As a member, the transformation work is being undertaken to improve our member experience. Your feedback tells us that you want more ‘local to me’ events and activities and this is one of the areas we will strive to make better. We will use member insight to become more data driven to deliver local, accessible events and activities that appeal to a diverse audience.
As a volunteer, we recognise from feedback that there is an increased personal liability being placed on our officers. Alleviating the administrative burden that many of our volunteers cite as a barrier to volunteering is a priority within the transformation work. We want to bring the fun back to volunteering and help you focus on the aspects of the role that you enjoy most.
Not at all. The long-term plan for the transformation work is to increase the number of local partners and products that we have so you can get even greater value for money with your CSSC membership.

North West Regional Hub Trial

The four active Area Associations will be wound up (known more commonly to volunteers as ‘dormancy’) for the period of the Hub trial. The Area committees are working closely with the Regional Hub Manager to ensure a smooth process.
Member insight will be at the forefront of designing the North West plan of activity. We have commissioned insight into both member and prospective member interests and will be using this, along with data from Sport England, Visit England and a number of other organisations, to create an inclusive and exciting programme designed by the Regional Hub staff team. CSSC also recognises that local knowledge is crucial so volunteer feedback will be called upon to supplement internal and external insight.
There will be four staff members working directly on the Regional Hub; Regional Hub Manager, Sport Development Officer, Product & Partnership Coordinator and Local Events Coordinator. The Hub staff will be supported by CSSC Head Office, notably in the areas of comms, marketing and finance.
Yes! There will be general volunteer roles for event support, meet and greet and more specific ones for those who enjoy putting events on NuTickets.

Sports Tiering Framework

The CSSC Sports Tiering Framework is part of the organisation’s Sports Transformation Programme. It categorises over 30 recognised sports into Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 based on member interest, growth potential, and alignment with strategic goals. This helps prioritise support and investment while maintaining a diverse sports offering.

Tier 1 sports focus on high-impact national events with a strong “wow” factor, alongside accessible local activities.

Tier 2 sports focus on local, community-based opportunities delivered with National Governing Bodies and local partners.

Tier 1 Manager: Millie Dohertyo Supported by Coordinator: Georgia Snook·

Tier 2 Manager: Rachel Pearceo Supported by: Kirsten Ball and Mahir Kabir

The Sports & Physical Activity team will now lead on:

  • Event planning
  • Finances
  • Administration

This change is designed to reduce bureaucracy and allow volunteers to focus on enjoyable and meaningful aspects of their roles. (FAQ from News & Updates >

The 2026 programme will:

  • Focus on quality, inclusivity, and financial sustainability
  • Be more member-centred and insight-driven
  • Offer activities suited to members’ lifestyles, workplaces, and communities

Tier 1 event plans are being finalised, and the full programme will be released in the new year. 

Tier 2 will:

  • Trial and develop local, partner-led initiatives
  • Offer tailored approaches for each sport (no one-size-fits-all)
  • Include 1:1 conversations with volunteers to shape priorities and plans

The Tier 2 sport delivery model will encourage participation and test future potential. Sport will be developed at local level and delivered through the Regional Hub, for those in the north west, through local sports sections across the country and finally, via the Head Office Sports team partnering with National Governing Bodies, local organisations and groups. The aim is to increase participation among our Tier 2 sports and help our members to easily access sport in a fun, informal way, rather than through the competitive regional qualifiers and national finals. We will be reviewing our tiers on an annual basis so your sport may move to a Tier 1 in future years, based on the criteria set, annual performance and achievement of KPIs.

 

We Want to Hear from You!

Your thoughts and opinions are vital as we continue to shape the Transformation Programme. If you have any feedback or insights about the programme, we’d love to hear from you.

Icon for email.Icon for email.

 

Thank you for helping us improve and evolve the programme!

 

Join now or CSSC Members' Area
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