Active For Life

Poole Active HealthLink Exercise on Referral Scheme has been operating successfully for over 12 years and is currently delivered through local partnership between Bournemouth and Poole NHS and our leisure partner 'Everyone Active'.

The aim of the scheme is simple - more physical activity in our daily lives whether it be walking, dancing or gardening will improve our health. The scheme provides the correct advice and support to encourage people with a variety of health conditions back to regular exercise and physical activity.

It is accessible to all GP practices in Poole as well as through a small number of agreed health referral points in the community.

Increasing physical activity levels will contribute to the prevention and management of over 20 diseases and conditions, including coronary heart disease.

[ NICE Public Health Collaborating Centre – Physical activity, May 2006 ]

How to join the scheme

• Visit your GP or practice nurse where you will be assessed for your suitability and eligibility to join the scheme. Providing you meet the criteria your health professional will complete a referral form and either fax or post a copy to the central administration team at Leisure services in Poole. For those who do not meet the criteria there may be other ways in which our team can help through the active 3x30 Initiative.
• Once we have received the referral form in Leisure services we will write to the client and make preperations for a first appointment with a member of the exercise referral team at Rossmore leisure centre for an initial assessment. During this appointment a full health history will be taken and some baseline tests carried out to decide on what the most appropriate type of exercise programme will be for 12 weeks duration.

The next appointment will be in an exercise environment. Here are just a few of the types of exercise programmes currently available at discouted rates;

• Personalised gym based exercise programmes
• Aqua gym circuit classes - using specially designed submerged resistance equipment
• Aqua aerobics
• Walking the way to health - short group led walks  
• Nordic Walking introductory workshops
• Supervised low impact circuit classes 
• Instructor led studio based exercise classes

You will be met for this introduction to exercise by a qualified exercise referral fitness instructor who will guide you through the exercise and make any necessary arrangements for follow up appointments.

What happens next?

The client will then be contacted at week 8-10 to make arrangements for a follow up 12 week review appointment at Rossmore Leisure Centre. During the 12 week review appointment the results from the initial and review assessments including any improvements will be discussed.

A further 12 months of 'Everyone Active' discounted membership is available to the client after attending their 12 week review appointment.

The aim eventually is to help each client to progress towards achieving the higher target of recommended weekly physical activity which is 5x30 minutes of moderate activity each week.

How much does it cost ?

There is no charge for the initial and review health assessments.

The charges for each exercise referral exercise programme at Rossmore Leisure Centre, Ashdown Leisure Centre and The Dolphin Pool are as follows;

• Gym visit                                                             £1.60
• Gym and swim                                                     £2.25
• Aqua gym (first 12 weeks)                                     £2.25
• Aqua gym (After first 12 weeks)                             £2.50
• Aquafit classes                                                     £2.25
• Poole Heart Support group Month pass                   £8.35
• Poole Heart Support group Gym and Swim pass      £10.35 

Everyone Active monthly membership £17.00 (Plus £20.00 joining fee) Includes inclusive use of fitness facilities and certains exercise classes at all three Borough of Poole facilities

Nordic Health Walk workshops                                                                         (includes hire of poles)                                                 £3.00

Poole Healthy Walks are FREE                              

- Please note that all prices may vary -

Active 3X30 membership

To help motivate clients to complete their 12 weeks of exercise on referral and to help increase their level of physical activity to at least 3x30 minutes of moderate physical activity each week all clients are automatically registered onto the Active 3x30 initiative which helps to connect people with more opportunities locally to be active such as links to clubs, events and information.

 For more information about Exercise on Referral or the active 3x30 initiative in Poole contact;

Active HealthLink Poole

Email activehealthlink@poole.gov.uk

Telephone: 01202 261312