A free exercise and social programme for individuals who have recently had a hip or knee joint replacement is being piloted at Littledown this month.
The new Joint Steps initiative is being launched by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live in association with the Orthopaedic Research Institute (ORI) at Bournemouth University (BU) to enable people to improve mobility and confidence post-surgery.
Every month more than 100 hip and knee joint replacement surgeries are carried out across the BCP region. After surgery, walking in a supportive group can help to improve both physical and mental wellbeing, improve balance and general mobility, as well as being a fun and social activity.
If successful, it is hoped the programme could be extended and delivered as one of BH Live’s regular health and wellbeing programmes which support individuals with regular exercise while living with long-term health conditions or illnesses.
Weekly walking sessions will span over six weeks. They will be led by a specially trained BH Live Active instructor and attended by Tom Wainwright, a physiotherapist, and Professor of Orthopaedics at BU.
Sessions will take place outdoors and are weather-dependent. Each session includes 30-45 minutes of gentle walking and incorporates elements to improve participants’ strength and mobility. Walking poles will be provided to participants upon request.
Each session will finish in Littledown’s Terrace Café, providing an opportunity for those taking part to chat and have refreshments.
The first session will take place Tuesday 22 April 2025 at 2:30pm in Littledown’s parkland. Sessions are open to anyone recovering from recent hip or knee replacement surgeries who is at least eight weeks post-operation and looking to progress their recovery and confidence when walking.
For more information and to register interest, get in touch with communityclasses@bhlive.org.uk.
Viv Galpin, Health and Wellbeing Manager for BH Live runs BH Live’s programme of health and wellbeing activities across the BCP region, encouraging hundreds of people into regular physical activity. She said;
“We’re delighted to continue our ongoing partnership with Professor Tom Wainwright and his team at the Orthopaedic Research Institute to deliver these sessions. Walking is incredibly beneficial for individuals who are recovering from hip or knee joint replacement surgeries. We hope that these sessions will encourage participants to build their strength, mobility, confidence, and relieve additional pressures on the NHS and other local health services.”
Tom Wainwright, Professor of Orthopaedics and Deputy Head of Orthopaedic Research Institute at Bournemouth University, said;
“As a physiotherapist and researcher in orthopaedics, I’ve seen firsthand how regular physical activity and group-based exercise can improve recovery after joint replacement surgery. Walking groups like this can provide a safe and supportive environment to build confidence and mobility—key factors in long-term recovery. This is a great opportunity to stay active and connect with others on a similar journey.”
More information about BH Live’s health and wellbeing programmes can be found at bhliveactive.org.uk/health-and-wellbeing-activities.
More information about Littledown can be found at bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Image Credit – Sincerely Media via Unsplash
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us: LinkedIn, X – @BHLIVE_UK | Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive | Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Littledown Centre
Littledown is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
Set in 47 acres of parkland, Littledown has some of the finest leisure, swimming, football and gym facilities in the country.
It is ranked among the top performing leisure centres in the UK, is accredited by quality scheme QUEST and is a National Fitness Award winner for the Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year and finalist for the Best Group Exercise Gym of the Year.
It has more than 1.2 million attendances a year and is home to clubs including BH Live’s Swimming Academy, Swim Bournemouth, Littledown Juniors Football Club and Play Football. Indoor facilities include 25-metre and 17-metre swimming pools for lane swimming, public swimming sessions, pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a splash pool, steam room and sauna.
The venue has one of the largest gyms in the region complete with activity programmes for young people, and support for people recovering from an illness, injury or who are living with a long-term health condition. There are multiple training zones with ground level and lift access. There is something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness with cardio equipment, free weights and functional fitness training space. Hundreds of group exercise classes run seven days a week such as Group Cycle sessions, circuits, yoga, Pilates, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) and Les Mills™ classes including BodyBalance, BodyPump, BodyCombat, BodyAttack, Sprint and more.
There is a large sports hall for events and multi-sport activities including trampolining, badminton, table tennis, football and gymnastics. Open to members and non members is Littledown’s Terrace Café (with soft play for under 5s) and Lookout at Littledown Bar (18+ only), each with free customer WiFi. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors for al fresco refueling, eating, drinking and socialising.
Outdoor features include six floodlit 3G rubber crumb training pitches, grass football pitches, parkland for recreation and events, a cricket pitch and pavilion, lake, children’s playground, a paddling pool (open summer months only), outdoor catering and free customer parking for up to three hours seven days a week. Littledown Park is also home to Littledown Miniature Railway.
ANPR is in operation at BH Live Active, Littledown. Customers get free customer parking for up to 3 hours seven days a week. Charges apply for longer stays.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown
Get social with us: X and Instagram @bhliveactive | Facebook @littledowncentre