BSLM 2025 Message

Dear Members,

As we look forward to another exciting year in 2025, its worth briefly reflecting on another great year at BSLM in 2024. There’s almost too much to highlight, but here we go.

Annual conference at Newcastle Gateshead Glasshouse was another resounding success with over 1000 attendees, again, and 34 sponsors/exhibitors.

We now have over 600 learners in the UK undertaking BSLM’s Core Accreditation in Lifestyle Medicine, and 14 countries worldwide have, or are about to, adopt Core Accreditation as their main Lifestyle Medicine education resource (suitably customised to local conditions!).

Membership continues to grow with over 2500 engaged and over 4500 members in total, including heritage members. Aligned and organisational membership continued to grow in 2024, and we see this as an important growth area this year.

It has been fantastic to see members implementing Lifestyle Medicine projects in their own practices and communities, and the Voice of Lived Experience project is up and running and providing testimony with both practical and political implications for BSLM.

BSLM continues to play a major role internationally with the European Lifestyle Medicine Council (ELMC) and the World Lifestyle Medicine Organisation (WLMO).

A high-level advisory board was established, featuring such alumni as Dame Clare Gerada, Crystal Oldman CBE, Dame Robina Shah, Dame Parveen Kumar, and Professor Tony Avery. In addition to this a Clinical Forum was established to ensure clinical excellence in everything we do, led by Dr Ellen Fallows. I am sure you would agree, therefore, there is significant input and oversight, beyond our own board of Trustees, at BSLM.

Finally, as an organisation, charity turnover exceeded £1 million, with a pre audit surplus of over £100k. This demonstrates that the charity is on a very sound footing financially, and should allow us to push on further with investment in education and staff so we can further support our members.

So what of 2025?

First of all, we will be strengthening the staff team in 2025. We are currently recruiting for a new Director of Science and Research, to further strengthen our clinical team, but also to develop and drive BSLM’s strategy forward in this area. We will also be looking to appoint a public affairs professional this year to develop our resources in this important area for us, as well as to bolster our capacity in the learning academy and administrative team, so that we can better support our education resource and members.

In 2025, we see the learning academy continuing to grow its range of e-learning courses. Forthcoming non-clinical topics include Lifestyle Medicine Start Ups, whereas clinical topics include Weight Management, Metabolic Health and Functional Somatic Disorders. In all, there are over 12 new courses in development, and we are speaking to several Universities about the development of a BSLM Masters degree in Lifestyle Medicine. More news on this at conference.

2025 should be a big year internationally, with a joint ELMC/WLMO virtual conference planned, and significant work underway in each of these organisations around research priorities, public affairs, international development, education accreditation and fundraising. BSLM continues to play a lead role in both of these organisations, giving BSLM international recognition and standing. This in turn brings opportunities to the membership and in terms of commercial activity. To ensure that everything we do internationally remains for the benefit of BSLM members, the BSLM board has appointed Dr Rob Lawson as International Director (following his stepping down as Board Chair), thus being the BSLM board’s eyes and ears overseas.

Our members continue to deliver Lifestyle Medicine in practice and we have showcased a number of them on our website here Lifestyle Medicine in Practice – British Society of Lifestyle Medicine. The variety of activity is truly inspiring, from BSLM’s Live Well project in Scotland, to Lucy Holmes work around prehab in the Wirral, and Joanna Derwood’s diabetes work in Jersey. Too many to name individually here, but please do refer to our website to see the variety of work our members are undertaking.

From a purely business development perspective, BSLM is aiming to take a significant step forward this year. A wholly owned subsidiary was set up in 2023 (all profits returning to BSLM) to promote BSLM activities commercially both at home and abroad. A new strategic plan is nearing completion, with the objective of growing BSLM significantly over the next 5 years. Every penny earned through business growth and development returns to the BSLM charity to grow the learning academy, HQ capacity, job opportunities for members and community-based LM projects.

Conference this year is in Brighton, which presents fabulous opportunities for running and open water swimming, together with the fantastic vibe in the city. The conference centre (Metropole on the sea front) can host over 1000 delegates, and the evening gala event will be held on the pier. I am reliably informed the fun fair will be in operation just for us. Planning for conference content is advanced, with all sessions defined and speakers invited, discussions with sponsors taking shape, and plans for a “meet the trustees” stand, to allow you to learn more about what it is that Trustees do at BSLM, as well as how it is governed.

Engagement across the board in increasing at BSLM and will be a priority in 2025 and beyond. This includes engagement with Royal Colleges, through joint events, position statements and alignment, with other organisations active in the Lifestyle Medicine space, including other LM societies, and corporate entities worldwide who share our vision of health delivery, equity and inclusion.

Last but not least, we begin 2025 with a new Chair of the Board of Trustees in Frances Elliot, who will bring her own unique skills gained over many years in the NHS, as a GP, Medical Director, Trust CEO, and from within the Scottish Government, to the BSLM board and executive.
2025 proves to be another seminal year for BSLM, with growth and development forecast in all areas. We welcome the views of members at all times, and it is often difficult to follow what is going on behind the scenes, so please don’t hesitate to contact us directly for more information, or via office@bslm.org.uk for more general enquires.
Wishing everyone a happy and successful 2025.

Dr Frances Elliot, Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Dr Fraser Quin, Executive Director.