Exercise on Referral

If you have a medical condition, physical or mental, and want to become more active and lead a healthier lifestyle, our established Exercise on Referral Scheme, delivered in partnership with Northumberland Public Health, can help you.

Our experienced and well-qualified staff work in partnership with local GP surgeries to help you find the fitness plan to suit your lifestyle. Over the years, we have helped thousands of people.

To be referred onto the scheme, you must first make an appointment with your GP. If they decide that the scheme may help your medical condition(s), you will be invited to attend an initial appointment at one of our leisure centres (if you are unable to get to one of our facilities, we may be able to carry out the consultation online or over the phone) with a fully qualified member of staff.

The scheme offers group supervised exercise classes, gym sessions and other activities such as racquet sports*. The Exercise on Referral team at the leisure centre will help you to choose activities that are safe and enjoyable. They will offer you support and encouragement over a period of 12 weeks as you work towards achieving your goals.

*under Covid-19 guidelines we are currently unable to offer indoor group exercise classes and racquet sports. We will continue to review the guidelines and hope to reintroduce these activities to the scheme as soon as possible.

Due to the impact of COVID-19 on our Exercise on Referral scheme, we have developed a new way to offer you support on your wellness journey.

Our Active Wellness app enables us to stream Exercise on Referral classes direct to you at home via an internet connection, so on the occasions when you are unable to get to the facility you can still enjoy the benefits with online classes delivered by one of our suitablly qualified Advanced Fitness Instructors at Active Northumberland.

However you choose to join us for our Exercise on Referral sessions, they will always be a great way to improve your physical and mental wellbeing, whilst having lots of fun and a chance to meet others on your wellness journey.

Victoria's Story (video below)

Victoria was referred to the scheme at Ashington Leisure Centre. Have a listen to her honest and very inspiring story. Talk to your GP or nurse today about how we could help you.

Testimonials

We have more inspiring stories from people who have attended the GP Referral Scheme. Read their stories HERE.

FAQ's

Q. What will happen when I start the scheme?
A. You will be invited to attend an initial appointment in which you will find out more about the scheme and when you can attend. By taking the part in the scheme, you are agreeing to attend two more individual appointments, one after 12 weeks and one when you finish the scheme to measure your progress.

Q. What can I expect when I attend sessions?
A. The scheme offers group supervised exercise classes, gym sessions and other activities such as racquet sports. We hope you understand that it is not a one to one personal training situation and you are expected to tell your instructor if you experience any problems. If you need one to one help you must bring a carer or enabler with you. The Exercise on Referral team will help you to choose activities that are safe and enjoyable. They will offer you support and encouragement as you work towards achieving your goals. You will be asked to attend twice a week.

Q. Am I fit enough to join?
A. Yes, you don’t have to be fit to join. People are referred for a wide variety of different medical conditions. If you are unused to exercise we will help you to start gently and gradually build up your activity levels. You have been referred, so your GP or practice nurse thinks the scheme will be beneficial for you.

Q. What clothes and footwear do I need?
A. For most activities, you will need, light, comfortable clothing - T-shirt and ‘jogging’ pants for example - and supportive footwear to prevent strain and injuries. Trainers are ideal but if you don’t have any then flat, supportive shoes will be enough to get you started.

Q. How much will it cost?
A. All one to one appointments are free of charge but there is a charge for the Exercise on Referral sessions which enables us to run the sessions from our qualified team. There is also the opportunity to take out a fitness membership for our centres, which in addition to attending your regular Exercise on Referral sessions, allows you to use the gym, attend other fitness classes and swim whenever you want at any Active Northumberland facility.

Exercise on Referral

FAQ's

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