"Best thing in the world” - NHS collaboration keeps older adults active

An innovative collaboration between the NHS, health and voluntary sectors in the North East has helped older adults in South Shields to stay active – and encouraged better health for patients with long-term conditions. 

'Every Move Matters’ is a community-based programme designed to support older people to improve their physical and social wellbeing, with the aim of reducing the likelihood of their health deteriorating and the related dependence on health and care services.   

A recent pilot of the programme took place at Marsden Road and Wawn Street GP surgeries in South Shields. 

It works by identifying older patients through health system data and then inviting them to take part in weekly, 1.5 hour physical and social activity sessions delivered at Marsden Road Health and Wellbeing Centre. 

Following the first hour of varied physical activity, each session finishes with 30 minutes of social time, including tea and coffee. This helps the participants to build new social relationships and combat loneliness. Some social hours also include goal setting and reflection through group-led discussion, with talks on topics such as healthy eating, managing long-term conditions, and maintaining mental wellbeing. 

Innovative partnership  

Funded by local health and wellbeing charity Rise, the innovative programme brings together partners from across the healthcare sector and the local VSCE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector). 

It is delivered in partnership with local wellbeing partners, including Active Families NE, Gorilla Training, and the Healthy Lives Team at South Tyneside Council. 

One of the patients who took part in the programme said: “It’s the best thing in the world for me. They’ve given me loads of self-confidence in myself again. I used to spend a lot of time just doing nothing, so I've now got a motivation to get up and carry on those exercises back home. I do it two to three times a week, which is two or three times more than I used to.” 

Michael Ali, active ageing development worker at Rise, said: “Integrated community partnerships provide a unique opportunity to optimise the health and independence of our ageing communities.  

“Our partnership programme, which provides highly motivational group physical activity under-pinned by behaviour change and lifestyle support, is informed by local health and care objectives. 

We are confident that the Every Move Matters programme can provide significant opportunities to change physical, mental and social factors impacting on health outcomes, without creating an additional burden for healthcare teams. We’re already looking forward to welcoming people to take part in the second cohort in South Shields.” 

Nadine Farrow, practice manager at both Marsden Road & Wawn Street GP surgeries, adds: “We support people on a daily basis with long-term conditions about coping with life. Your wellbeing can be affected by your condition. Empowering patients to be as active as possible for as long as possible is invaluable and has additional benefits of combating social isolation and opens the doors to exciting new opportunities.” 

To find out more about the Every Move Matters programme, contact Michael.Ali@wearerise.co.uk