Step Up Time
Exercise on Referral is a physical activity referral scheme that offers support in developing an activity routine to help improve your health and assist in the management of your medical condition/s.
Physical activity has a key part to play in improving health and wellbeing. Exercise on Referral will support and encourage you to take the first steps to becoming more active on a regular basis.
The Exercise on Referral Scheme is a 12-week programme which consists of:
- An initial consultation
- A 12-week exercise programme, tailored to meet individual needs (you can extend for longer if you to need too)
- A final reassessment
Classes are held weekly throughout the programme and are led by a qualified instructor. (Please note that this is at an additional charge)
Consultation and assessment
- Your care and management is under the guidance of the Exercise on Referral specialist, and is tailored to your individual needs
- Consultation appointments are available at Church Stretton and Bishops castle. Times and days vary at each site
- Please bring your referral form to the initial consultation and any other information that you think is useful to support your referral
- The initial consultation takes approximately up to an hour
- There is no physical activity involved at the initial consultation
- An appropriate assessment of the client prior to the physical activity plan will include: a full past and present medical history, baseline measurements; including blood pressure, height, weight, waist and hips. Balance, grip strength, flexibility will also be assessed
Physical activity programme
Begins with setting realistic goals around increasing your physical activity.
- As the referred client you will be consulted and involved throughout the referral process
- You will be issued with a program to meet your needs
- Tailored contact with your exercise on prescription specialist is normally for a 12-week period
- Monitoring of your individual progress is ongoing, with a formal review at 12 weeks
- There is a cost attached to your supervised physical activity sessions. The cost is the concessionary price and is subject to a review annually.
Options on completion of your referral
- On completion of your 12 weeks all the baseline measurements are repeated
- Some individuals may need an extended period with the exercise on referral specialist, this is discussed and agreed under a set criteria
- Transfer to the Leisure Time membership is available; options including concessional rates are available for individuals subject to Leisure Time terms and conditions
- Low impact mobility classes and aqua sessions are available at certain sites
Who is Exercise on referral for?
Exercise on referral classes can be delivered to clients with a wide range of medical, physical or mental health conditions, including:
- Hypertension
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Asthma/COPD
- Depression/stress/anxiety
- Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2
- Obesity
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Joint replacement
- Osteoporosis
- Simple mechanical back pain
- Cardio rehab phase 4
How would enrolling on the scheme benefit me?
Clients who have any of the conditions listed often find that their level of physical activity is hindered, either by their physical ailment, or through a psychological fear of over exerting themselves. The scheme allows clients to gradually build up to a suitable level of activity, in a safe environment and under the supervision of a qualified instructor. Over time, the scheme will give clients the confidence needed to maintain a physical active lifestyle independently and experience a wide range of benefits such as:
- Reduced blood pressure
- Reduced risk of both heart disease and osteoporosis
- Controlled body weight
- Increased energy
- Improved stamina, strength, and tone of muscles, shape, appearance, confidence and posture
- Reduced stress or depression
- Reduced falls.
How do I enrol onto the scheme?
- Contact your local GP, practice nurse or health professional to see if you’re eligible for the scheme
- Ask them for a referral letter
- Contact SpArC Bishops Castle or Church Stretton leisure centre and book a consultation
- Your fitness instructor will create an exercise programme to meet your needs
- You will have your induction, then start your 12-week programme under supervision of your instructor
- At the end of your 12-week program you will have your re-assessment. You can then decide if you wish to continue with the scheme
Exercise on referral prices and venues
- GP consultation - £27.50 (this consultation price includes a 1-to-1 gym induction, personal programme and reassessment)
- GP session - £5
- GP pass (12 sessions) - £50
- GP package - £82.50 (package includes a consultation, 3 months membership which includes swimming, classes and gym)
- Swimming (12 session concession pass) - £40.00
Venue contact information