Exercise Referral & Heart Smart

The Exercise (Health) Referral scheme is designed to aid individuals (adults aged 16 or over) who have been identified by their GP or other health professional to take up the benefits of participation in enjoyable exercise.

There are two schemes, one covering Leicestershire and Rutland and one covering Leicester City. For more information please see the 'How to get involved' section below.

Facts

UK physical activity guidelines recommend that over a week, adults should be active for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity. The 150 minutes doesn't have to be completed in one go. It can be broken down into smaller bouts of activity; in bouts of 10 minutes or more.

Public Health England recommends out of these 150 minutes, muscle strengthening activities should be carried out two days of the week.

If you suffer from any of the following conditions you could be eligible for the Exercise Referral Scheme:

arthritis
asthma
back pain
diabetes
depression
high blood pressure
heart condition
high cholesterol
osteoporosis
obesity.

Benefits Of Exercise

Physical Activity can play an important role in preventing and managing health conditions such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, mental health problems, musculoskeletal conditions and some cancers.

Exercise can have a positive effect on well-being and mood, providing a sense of achievement or relaxation and release from daily stress.

Greater social cohesion by helping people to socialise, providing a means of getting involved with the community
Increasing how much physical activity someone does can significantly improve both their physical and mental well-being and reduce illnesses and disease throughout life
It can also improve life expectancy
Being active improves sleep, enhances quality of life and well-being
Reduces stress
Increases concentration levels
Improves balance, co-ordination and cardiovascular fitness
Increases self-confidence

How to get involved

If you have a condition you feel may be improved by increasing activity levels please speak to your local GP. If you are eligible for the scheme, you can be referred by your GP or other health professional using the Exercise (Health) Referral Form.

For further information about your local Scheme, please contact your relevant co-ordinator using the contacts below.

Read more information about the Scheme (PDF, 81 Kb)
Please contact your local coordinator (provided below) for further details locally
Exercise Referral Form (PDF, 132 Kb)
See an example of a Exercise Referral Form

Your Local Contact & Welcome Pack

Blaby

Neesha Memetovic

Telephone: 0116 2727694 / 07500992645
Email: Neesha.Memetovic@blaby.gov.uk
Website: http://www.sportblaby.org.uk/

Blaby Welcome Pack (PDF, 642 Kb)
Blaby Heart Smart Scheme Welcome Pack (PDF, 625 Kb)

Charnwood

Tina Coles

Telephone: 01509 611080 / 07730801967
Email: gp-referral-charnwood@fusion-lifestyle.com
Website: http://www.charnwoodsport.org.uk/

Charnwood Welcome Pack (PDF, 956 Kb)
Charnwood Heartsmart Leaflet (PDF, 964 Kb)

Harborough

Danny Hallam

Telephone: 01858 821286 / 07879828187
Email: D.Hallam@harborough.gov.uk
Website: http://www.harboroughsport.org.uk/

Harborough Welcome Pack (PDF, 1.2 Mb)

Hinckley & Bosworth

Graeme Chilvers

Telephone: 01455 255678 / 07966202085
Email: Graham.Chilvers@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk
Website: http://www.hbsha.org.uk/

Hinckley Welcome Pack (PDF, 1.2 Mb)

Leicester City

Active Lifestyles Scheme

Telephone: 0116 4546768
Email: Active-Lifestyle-Scheme@leicester.gov.uk
Website: http://www.leicester.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/public-health/

To enrol onto the Active Lifestyle Scheme in Leicester City, please speak to your doctor or nurse and ask for a referral into the Lifestyle Referral Hub, once we receive this referral we will call you within 5 working days in order to refer you onto the programme. Please note this scheme is only for those living in the city of Leicester.

Contact Details: Lifestyle Referral Hub, Unit 11 Warren Park Way, Enderby, LE19 4SA | Tel: 0116 217 1881