How To Join The Scheme

To join the scheme you need to visit your G.P., a Practice Nurse or another Health Care Professional. You can also be referred to us if you are undergoing a Fit4work review.  

If you are eligible and the scheme is considered appropriate the health professional will complete a referral form for you, which will be sent to your local co-ordinator (the Active Lifestyle Development Officer) at Charnwood Borough Council's offices in Loughborough.

You can be referred to join our walks programme (in which case your health professional must specify that they are referring to the walk programme), to one of our Leisure Centres, or to a community venue within Charnwood.

Loughborough Leisure Centre, South Charnwood Leisure Centre, Soar Valley Leisure Centre

If you have been referred to a Leisure Centre, you will receive a letter asking you to contact Nita Pearson by telephone to discuss the scheme, and at that stage, following a discussion regarding your health needs, a mutually convenient appointment will be made for you to attend the centre of your choice.

When you attend your appointment, you will meet a member of the Leisure Centre staff. All the staff are very enthusiastic and experienced instructors and will show you around the facilities at the Leisure Centre. They will explain what the sessions will involve and answer any questions you have about the sessions and general exercise and health. You will take part in some exercise on that day, and you will be weighed, your blood pressure taken, your body fat percentage calculated and discussions will take place about your general state of health. These clinical assessments will be repeated at weeks 6 and 12, and the overall report on your progress sent to your GP.  This information will also be anonomised, and used in the council's reporting mechanisms with the NHS. 

Sessions on offer include the gym, aqua, t'ai chi, Zumba gold and gentle circuits. 

The staff at our centres will be able to advise you on all classes available at the centre, and about the community run sessions, which you are also very welcome to attend, and also about classes which, although not connected to the referral scheme, you might wish to try. After your introduction you will also be issued with your Active Lifestyle membership card.

Community Sessions in Village Venues

If your health professional has referred you onto one of the community sessions, we will contact you with details of the class and the details of your start date.

Clothing

• For each session you will need to wear comfortable clothing, e.g. T-shirt/ leggings/ tracksuit bottoms/ loose trousers and sensible footwear (preferably trainers)
• For aqua you will need to wear swimwear and you may also wear a T-shirt if you feel more comfortable
• You will also need a drink of water and at Loughborough Leisure Centre a £1 coin (refundable) if you require the use of a locker to store your bag etc