Did you know your GP can refer you to your local gym? Across the UK, exercise referral schemes – sometimes called "exercise on prescription" – give people with health conditions a supported, low-cost way to get more active.
They go by different names depending on where you live: Healthwise, Live Active, NERS, PARS or simply "exercise referral". This guide explains what they are, who they're for, how to find one near you and how to get started.
What is an exercise referral scheme?
The idea is simple. A health professional checks that you're not currently active enough, then refers you to a local scheme. There, a specialist instructor assesses you, plans a programme that suits your health, and supports you as you take part (NICE, 2014).
Most schemes run from council or community leisure centres. Depending on the scheme, activities can include gym sessions, group classes, swimming and water-based exercise (London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, n.d.).
Who are they for?
National guidance says these schemes should be for people who are inactive and have a health condition or risk factors for one – such as risks for heart disease, stroke or type 2 diabetes. They're not meant for people who are inactive but otherwise healthy (NICE, 2014).
Common reasons for referral include high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, depression and anxiety, and arthritis (Mole Valley District Council, 2024). "Inactive" often means doing less than 30 minutes of activity a week (Healthwatch Barnet, 2026).
Key insight
You don't need to be "sporty" or fit to join. These schemes are designed for people who aren't active right now – and who could benefit most from starting.
What's available across the UK?
Each nation does things a little differently. Here's an overview.
| Nation | Scheme | Typical length | Cost to you |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | Local schemes run by councils and leisure providers, e.g. Healthwise | Usually 12 weeks | Varies. In Barnet, £30 a month or £6 a session (North Central London ICB, n.d.) |
| Wales | National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) | Usually 16 weeks (4–32, depending on your condition) | Assessments free; recommended £3.15 a session (Public Health Wales, 2026) |
| Scotland | Local schemes, e.g. Live Active in Greater Glasgow and Clyde | Varies – check locally | In Glasgow, adviser support is free; you may pay for activities (Glasgow Life, n.d.) |
| Northern Ireland | Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS), in 11 council areas (South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, 2025) | 12 weeks | Free in some areas, e.g. Fermanagh and Omagh (Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, 2025) |
So what is Healthwise?
Healthwise is the name used for exercise referral at many Better leisure centres, run by GLL (City of York Council, n.d.; Mole Valley District Council, 2024).
In Barnet, for example, Healthwise is a 12-week programme with three check-ins, using motivational interviewing – a supportive style of conversation that helps you decide on changes that suit you (North Central London ICB, n.d.). Details and prices differ from area to area, so always check your local version.
Find a gym near you
These gyms and leisure centres run exercise referral schemes. It's a selection rather than a full list, as England and Scotland alone have many local schemes. Not every centre runs every scheme, so check with them first – and you'll usually still need a referral from a health professional. If your area isn't listed, search your council's website for "exercise referral" or ask your GP surgery.
How do you get referred?
How referral usually works. Local details vary.
Start by asking your GP, practice nurse, physiotherapist or social prescribing link worker (Mole Valley District Council, 2024). Some schemes also let you get in touch first to check whether it's right for you (Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, 2026).
What happens at your first session?
Once you're referred, the scheme will contact you to book a first appointment. In Northern Ireland, for example, this includes meeting your instructor, a health and wellbeing check, setting goals and an introduction to the gym, with reviews at 4, 8 and 12 weeks (South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, 2025). In Wales, the first assessment and review appointments are free (Public Health Wales, 2026).
Wear something comfortable you can move in. The first session is also a good moment to mention anything that worries you, from pain to feeling self-conscious.
Questions worth asking
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is there a charge, and are there any discounts? | Costs range from free to a monthly membership, depending on where you live. |
| What happens when the programme ends? | Some schemes offer a discounted membership afterwards – Conwy, for example, offers 40% off (Conwy County Borough Council, n.d.). |
| Are there accessible, water-based or women-only sessions? | The right setting can make it much easier to feel comfortable and keep going. |
| Can I get support by phone or video? | Glasgow's Live Active offers support in person, by phone or by video call (Glasgow Life, n.d.). |
Do these schemes work?
A major review found people on these schemes did about 55 minutes more activity a week than those given advice alone. They boosted activity most clearly for people with heart disease risk factors (NIHR, 2015).
The same review suggested that not having a car, living in a rural area or living in a poorer area made it harder to take part (NIHR, 2015). If any of these apply to you, ask about transport, costs, accessible sessions and online options – and tell the scheme what would help.
Whichever route you take, UK guidance is clear that some activity is better than none: if you do nothing now, do a little; if you do a little, do a bit more (Department of Health and Social Care, 2019).
Living with arthritis?
Many people worry that exercise will damage their joints. Arthritis UK explains that exercise actually helps joints stay healthy, and staying active can reduce pain and help you stay independent (Arthritis UK, n.d.). An exercise referral scheme can be a supported way to start.
Exercise referral and your mental health
Schemes such as Healthwise in Mole Valley accept referrals for depression and anxiety (Mole Valley District Council, 2024). NICE's depression guidance lists group exercise among the first treatments to consider for less severe depression, alongside options such as guided self-help and group talking therapy (NICE, 2022).
The research is mixed: the major review found schemes didn't boost activity for people referred for mental health reasons (NIHR, 2015), but a large Welsh trial found this group had lower anxiety and depression afterwards (Murphy et al., 2012).
Some areas run schemes designed for mental health. In Edinburgh, Healthy Active Minds offers 12 weeks of support for adults with mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or low mood (NHS Lothian, n.d.). In Antrim and Newtownabbey, More Movement for the Mind combines exercise and relaxation (Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, n.d.).
If you're struggling
Talk to your GP about how you're feeling. If you need to talk to someone now, Samaritans is free to call on 116 123, day or night (Samaritans, n.d.).
The bottom line
If a health condition is holding you back from getting active, you don't have to work it out alone. Ask your GP or practice team about exercise referral – it could be the supported first step you need.
References
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council (n.d.) Health Intervention Action Plan. Available at: https://antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/leisure-centres/activities/health-intervention-action-plan/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
Arthritis UK (n.d.) Why is exercise important for people with arthritis? Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/living-with-arthritis/health-and-wellbeing/exercising-with-arthritis/why-is-exercise-important-for-people-with-arthritis/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
City of York Council (n.d.) HealthWise Exercise Referral Programme. Available at: https://www.york.gov.uk/ExerciseReferral (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
Conwy County Borough Council (n.d.) National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS). Ffit Conwy. Available at: https://ffit.secure.conwy.gov.uk/en/Home/Leisure-Development/National-Exercise-Referral-Scheme.aspx (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
Department of Health and Social Care (2019) UK Chief Medical Officers' physical activity guidelines. GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/physical-activity-guidelines-uk-chief-medical-officers-report/uk-chief-medical-officers-physical-activity-guidelines (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (2025) Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS). Available at: https://www.fermanaghomagh.com/services/health-wellbeing/community-physical-activity-programmes/physical-activity-referral-scheme/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
Glasgow Life (n.d.) Live Active. Available at: https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/sport/good-move/live-active (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
Healthwatch Barnet (2026) Healthwise: physical activity referral programmes. 27 January. Available at: https://www.healthwatchbarnet.co.uk/advice-and-information/2026-01-27/healthwise-physical-activity-referral-programmes (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (2026) Physical activity programmes. Available at: https://hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/info/200048/healthy_lifestyle/378/physical_activity_programmes/2 (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (n.d.) Healthwise Physical Activity Referral Scheme. Available at: https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/health-and-care/public-health/healthwise-physical-activity-referral-scheme (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
Mole Valley District Council (2024) Healthwise: physical activity referral scheme. Available at: https://www.molevalley.gov.uk/leisure-culture/exercise-on-referral/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
Murphy, S.M. et al. (2012) 'An evaluation of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the National Exercise Referral Scheme in Wales, UK: a randomised controlled trial of a public health policy initiative', Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 66(8), pp. 745–753. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3402741 (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
NHS Lothian (n.d.) Edinburgh – physical activity for mental health. RefHelp. Available at: https://apps.nhslothian.scot/refhelp/guidelines/mentalhealthadult/mentalhealthpsychologyotherservices/physical-activity-for-mental-health/edinburgh-physical-activity-for-mental-health/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
NICE (2014) Physical activity: exercise referral schemes (PH54). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph54/chapter/recommendations (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
NICE (2022) Depression in adults: treatment and management (NG222). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng222/chapter/recommendations (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
NIHR (2015) Exercise referral schemes increase physical activity for some. NIHR Evidence. Available at: https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/exercise-referral-schemes-increase-physical-activity-for-some (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
North Central London ICB (n.d.) Physical Activity Referral Scheme: Healthwise. Available at: https://gps.northcentrallondon.icb.nhs.uk/services/healthwise-physical-activity-referral-scheme (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
Public Health Wales (2026) National Exercise Referral Scheme. Available at: https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/wales-national-exercise-referral-scheme/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
Samaritans (n.d.) Contact us. Available at: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (2025) Physical Activity Referral Scheme. Available at: https://setrust.hscni.net/healthy-living/physical-activity/physical-activity-referral-scheme/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
Join the Zero Jargon Health Community
Threads · Instagram · Facebook
Important medical disclaimer
The content provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP, psychiatrist or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Never start, stop or change a prescribed medicine without speaking to your prescriber first.
No comments:
Post a Comment