The Exercise Referral Scheme is an exercise programme open to residents who live in the Horsham District and are referred to us by their GP or healthcare professional via the wellbeing team at Horsham District Council.

The 3-month scheme offers a programme of tailor-made activity here at Bluecoat Sports for the prevention, improvement or management of your health condition. During the scheme, a trained exercise specialist will be on hand to guide and support you.

If you are referred to us, you must be prepared to attend at least 1 exercise sessions per week with the Clubs Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator.

Two women swimming in Bluecoat Sports swimming pool

A man and a woman using a rowing machine in Bluecoat Sports

FAQs

How much does it cost?

Your first consultation with the Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator at Bluecoat Sports Centre is free, then you will be given a discount for the following sessions.

The full 12 weeks costs £75.00. This option includes use of the Swimming Pool & Fitness Suite as well as selected classes recommended by the Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator.

There is also a pay as you go option, from £4.35 per swim or gym entry. Any classes you attend on a pay as you basis will cost the standard Club price.

Once you have completed your programme, you may be offered further discounts to encourage you to continue your health & fitness journey.

How does the referral process work?

Initial meeting with your GP or healthcare professional.
You meet the referral criteria.
Your GP or healthcare professional completes and signs Section A of the referral form.
You complete and sign Section B of the form.
You or your healthcare professional will then need to either send or scan/email the form to the Wellbeing Team at Horsham District Council.
The Wellbeing team will register you on the scheme with your chosen facility.
The facility will contact you to arrange an induction/assessment.
You start the course.
At the end of the course, you will receive a questionnaire to complete.
You may be offered an incentive to continue exercising.

Who can be referred onto the scheme?

Most people with long-term health conditions will be accepted onto the Exercise Referral Scheme. These include asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, as well as depression, anxiety, osteoporosis and plenty of other conditions, including rehabilitation from Long Covid.

The scheme is also open to those recovering from an injury.

How can I join the scheme?

Most people with long-term health conditions can be referred onto the GP Exercise Referral Scheme via their GP or health care professional. All referral forms must go to Horsham District Council Wellbeing.

Once with Bluecoat Sports

The Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator will call you to set up your first consultation.

Upon arriving at the Club, please ask for the Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator at reception, who will make them aware you are waiting.

The consultation will take place in a quiet and private room where you will go through the reason for referral and how the scheme will benefit you, before putting a plan in place for your exercise sessions to start. This will also be your chance to ask any questions or concerns you may have about the scheme to ensure you feel happy with your exercise prescription prior to starting.

Your exercise referral membership will be set up during this consultation so that you are ready to start straight away.

Once the membership is set up, the Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator will book you in for your gym induction which will be 1 hour. During this induction, you will be given an exercise prescription that will be tailored to your needs.

What happens once you start on the scheme?

Over the 12 weeks you will be asked to attend a minimum of 1 session a week with the Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator, who will take you through your programme. The advice is that you attend 2 exercise session a week to really get the best possible results. This contact time allows you and the Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator to discuss your weekly progress and will allow them to update or change anything to help keep you on track and motivated.

Every 4 weeks you will be asked to book in a monthly review to discuss your progress and set out a plan for the next 4 weeks to keep you progressing and keep you motivated through the scheme.

With the advice and guidance of the Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator, you will be able to use other facilities that the Club offers and do your own exercise sessions. This is usually advised depending on your specific needs, over the 12 weeks between your weekly session with the Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator.

What happens once the 12 weeks comes to an end?

Once the 12 weeks concludes, you will use the last review to discuss your options going forward. You will also be asked to fill out a short questionnaire about your experience over the last 12 weeks.

There will be a range of options to help suit your needs. Membership options will be discussed as well as your exercise prescription plan. This will be advised by the Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator.

Learn more about exercise referral

What our members say

After a bad fall, I suffered a torn ligament on my right shoulder rotator cuff. I also had a fractured bone on my knee, which wasn’t discovered until 8 months after my fall when my doctor sent me for another X-ray as I was still in considerable pain, and this meant that I had to have knee replacement surgery.

Lee made an individual referral programme of exercises for me. I was told my starting level, number of repetitions to do and the necessity to rest in between repetitions. I was also shown how to progress to higher levels of intensity on the the equipment i.e. exercise bike, leg press, cross trainer etc. This I have done as I have got stronger.

I feel that I have progressed well and certainly walk and feel much better after being on the gym referal programme. I would not have had the confidence to come to the gym and confidently use the gym equipment and exercises without the direction of Lee on the Referal programme.

– Maureen

Exercise Referral

I am very happy with the pool rehabilitation course and with Lee Wilkinson as my instructor.

I lost all my confidence especially in the pool after a serious fall just over a year ago and needed help in getting it back.

Lee is friendly,positive,patient and encouraging and I am grateful to him for all his help In building my strength and bringing back my confidence again.

Exercise Referral

I met with Lee Wilkinson, the Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator and he put together a 12 week exercise programme, which included a warm up, core/mobility, strength/resistance training and a cool down session. These exercises have become easier over time, improved my core strength and overall well-being. I am half way through the programme now and really feel the benefit from the scheme.

Exercise Referral

When I started I was still struggling with my lower back pain and mobility. Having a set program to follow, better understanding on how important it is to build strength, knowing that support from Lee (The Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator), was available as needed, helped keeping motivation.

I can now follow my program with confidence and have started to increase level of difficulty and I generally feel better and am motivated to continue working out. My back and mobility are also much better. I’d definitely recommend the program to anyone who’s looking to improve their fitness and health.

Exercise Referral