The Exercise Referral Scheme is a 12-week, medically supported exercise programme for Horsham District residents living with a long-term health condition or recovering from an injury. You’ll receive a personalised exercise plan and regular one-to-one guidance from a trained specialist here at Bluecoat Sports.

To get started, ask your GP or healthcare professional for a referral. All referral forms are submitted to the Horsham District Council Wellbeing team, who will register you onto the scheme.

Speak to your GP today and ask about an exercise referral.

Two women swimming in Bluecoat Sports swimming pool

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

Who is the exercise referral programme for?

The exercise referral scheme is open to most people with a long-term health condition, including asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, as well as depression, anxiety and osteoporosis. It’s also available to those recovering from an injury or managing the effects of Long Covid.

If you’re unsure whether your condition qualifies, your GP or healthcare professional will be able to advise you.

senior women exercising with the trx in the gym at Bluecoat Sports

How the exercise referral scheme works at Bluecoat Sports

Once you’re registered, the Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator will call you to arrange your first, free consultation. This takes place in a quiet, private room at the club, where you’ll talk through your condition, discuss what the scheme involves, and have the chance to ask any questions to ensure you feel happy before starting.

From there, you’ll be booked in for a one-hour gym induction. This is where your personalised exercise prescription is put together, tailored to your needs. Your referral membership will then be set up so you can begin straight away.

Over the 12 weeks, you’ll be advised to attend two sessions per week for the best results. Every 4 weeks, you’ll have a progress review to look at how things are going and adjust the plan if needed. At the end of the programme, you and the Co-Ordinator will discuss your options for continuing your fitness journey, with a range of plans to suit your needs.

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.

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.

What happens once you start on the scheme?

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 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

I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis in December 2024 . My GP referred me to the exercise programme run at Bluecoats Sports, a 12 week scheme offered by the local council. Initially I had an interview with a fitness instructor who gave me personal instruction on how to use the gym equipment which would be beneficial to my condition.

By 8 weeks in to the programme , I realised that I was able to move better and I no longer felt the intensity of pain in my leg , the discomfort I had felt had certainly reduced. What also surprised me was that I actually quite enjoyed going to the gym! This experience has given me the tools to help myself, to increase my general fitness and to enjoy country walks again.

Exercise Referral

I met Lee when I was referred to Bluecoats Sports due to an ACL injury. He guided me through the whole pre operative process and helped me with workouts in order to strengthen the area. He is very informative and knowledgeable and this really helped with my confidence in the gym.

Moving forward post op, Lee has been a great help with further exercises and this in turn has given me a much better outcome and has helped with the healing process.

Lee is very approachable and will always take a minute to help with a machine or give some advice when it is needed. Thanks very much for all the help

Exercise Referral

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