In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week (Monday 12 May 2025 – Sunday 18 May 2025), BH Live, a local registered charity and social enterprise, is highlighting how it is helping Portsmouth residents with long-term mental health conditions get active outdoors in a supportive and social way.
BH Live runs Portsmouth Interaction, a health and wellbeing service that refers local people across the city to low-cost fitness and wellbeing activities to support better mental health.
Created with the community in mind, Portsmouth Interaction’s Conservation Group has been running in partnership with Portsmouth City Council since 2017, with countryside officer Peter Roberts playing a lead role.
The free sessions help people with long-term health conditions improve their fitness, self-esteem, and mental health. They also support participants in returning to work, staying physically active, and rejoining everyday life. By spending time outdoors and caring for local green spaces, participants give back to the community and the city’s environment.
Between April 2024 and March 2025 Portsmouth Interaction’s Conservation Group welcomed nearly 400 attendances, with volunteers delivering an average of 11.5 hours of conservation work every week clearing litter, unwanted saplings and weeds in green spaces across Hilsea. Since the group’s inception, more than 450 trees have been planted in the area.
Recent studies from Mind, a mental health charity, found that connecting with nature can improve mood, help with symptoms of mental health conditions, improve physical health, and build confidence and self-esteem*.
Discussing the success of the group, Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care at Portsmouth City Council said:
“Supporting the mental health of our residents is one of our key priorities, and we are committed to making sure they can get support where they need it. The importance of volunteer groups in this area cannot be understated.
“Portsmouth Interaction’s volunteers play an integral role. They help to maintain and improve this much-loved green oasis in the north of the city, alongside being involved in the creation and development of the area that the Forest School uses. Special thanks go to our countryside officer, Peter Roberts, for all his efforts to make this project happen.”
Feedback from the sessions has been extremely positive, with participants sharing;
“I am much more connected to nature and the environment; I have learnt the history of this site which I previously had no knowledge of”.
“Since becoming unwell 6 years ago this project has been essential to my well-being – mental and physical.”
“I feel happier in myself.”
Following its success, BH Live has also partnered with local charity, Enable Ability, to deliver joint Portsmouth Interaction Conservation Group sessions to young adults with additional needs to help build confidence, support personal development, and socialise.
On behalf of BH Live, Kerry Morgan, Portsmouth Interaction’s Manager, shared;
“It’s fantastic to see these sessions have been so well received by participants, as well as residents and Portsmouth City Council. It’s brilliant that we can extend our reach to work with other local groups too and encourage more people of all ages to get active, give back to the community, and spend time with others in some of Portsmouth’s beautiful green spaces.”
Residents interested in getting involved can find out more about Portsmouth Interaction at bhliveactive.org.uk/health-and-wellbeing-activities.
More information about BH Live can be found at bhlive.org.uk.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
*Nature and mental health – Mind, accessed 29 April 2025, published April 2025
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 – BH Live
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.
These leisure centres are owned by Portsmouth City Council and run by registered charity BH Live.
Mountbatten Leisure Centre – Portsmouth’s flagship leisure and event venue. Located in the heart of Hilsea, Mountbatten is located just a short distance from Portsmouth’s city centre. Its large well equipped gym, accessible by lift, has multiple zones with something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness. Dedicated training areas have lots of cardio kit to choose from, free weights, functional fitness spaces and more. With health and wellbeing professionals on hand, there is also an exercise referral team to offer guidance and support if recovering from an illness, injury or long term health condition. Group exercise classes run seven days a week and include Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyCombat, Sprint, Grit, Group Cycle, Bootcamp, Shapes, yoga, Pilates, aqua, group cycle, circuits, and more.
There is a 50 metre swimming pool (divided into two) with regular public swimming sessions, lane swimming, pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a smaller teaching pool for little ones and lessons. Mountbatten is home to AquaDash – a large pool inflatable course – great fun for young people, team building away days, and parties. Spa facilities include a sauna, spa bath and steam room.
Mountbatten offers a broad health and wellbeing programme which focuses on helping people with long-term conditions to stay active and build their confidence in one one-on-one or group settings
Mountbatten is also home to a Clip ‘N Climb leisure attraction and an eight-court sports hall where multi-sport activities and events are held throughout the year in partnership with local clubs and schools. An outdoor velodrome and athletics track hosts regular training, events and competitions throughout the year.
Open to members and non members a Terrace Café has free customer WiFi and a children’s soft play facility. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks.
From August 2024, ANPR will be in operation. There is free customer parking for up to four hours seven days a week with accessible spaces for Blue Badge holders. Charges apply for longer stays – see car park signage for details.
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/mountbatten
Get social with us:
Facebook – @mountbattenlc
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Pyramids Centre – BH Live Active, Pyramids is situated in Southsea overlooking the beach and Solent. There is something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness. The centre has state-of-the-art Technogym fitness equipment in an airy spacious gym with a wide range of functional fitness, strength and cardio activities. There is a dedicated assessment area for those who are new to exercise complete with fitness tracking technology to help set activity goals.
Pyramids has four activity studios. The Glasshouse and Solent each have stunning seaviews. There is also the region’s only dedicated HIIT studio running circuits style HIT classes and a Technogym Group cycle studio. Group exercise classes run seven days a week including Group Cycling, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), Yoga, Pilates and classes as part of the Les MillsTM programme including BodyPump, BodyCombat and Core.
As part of BH Live Active’s multisite membership, members can also use the gym, pools and classes at Mountbatten and Charter.
A South Terrace café and container bar opened in spring 2025, offering refreshments and stunning views in an outdoor setting overlooking the Solent.
Next to Pyramids is a public car park with 154 parking spaces including six accessible spaces. Up to two hours of free parking is available for customers attending the gym or a class – ask or register in centre. There is also free roadside parking along Clarance Esplanade after 6pm. This car park adjacent to Pyramids is managed by Portsmouth City Council and parking charges apply. – see website for details https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/pyramids
Get social with us:
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Facebook – @Pyramids.Centre
Exploria – Exploria at Pyramids in Southsea opened in 2021. It is Portsmouth’s largest indoor soft play and bounce attraction. With a range of exciting experiences, Exploria stimulates play for children aged 6 months and upwards. A tantalising sense of wonder and extreme fun across three connected worlds gives children plenty of action to amaze and delight. Everything, from floor to ceiling, evokes a sense of mystery with lots of jumps, leaps and thrills. All safely rightsized to inspire juniors, toddlers and babies alike.
The bounce zone is great for burning off tons of energy. The diving tower with air bag is perfect for the bravest of explorers. There are interactive games, themed slides. agility parkour, battle beams and foam pits too. Our play zone features ball pits, spider’s web and cargo climbing, a rope bridge skywalk, bash bags, tunnels, rollers, beams plus a dodge ball shoot out. And the baby and toddler zone has all things Exploria, but downsized for little ones of preschool age.
There are quieter SEN play and bounce sessions, plus a dedicated sensory room with stimulating lights, sound and touch. An additional sensory room featuring musical touch pads, liquid floor tiles, soft blocks and shapes, and calm sensory lighting opened in the centre in spring 2025.
Four themed party rooms based on Volcanos, an underwater world, Mayan Ruins and Egyptian tomb – great for celebrating special occasions and birthdays, A dedicated Exploria café serves delicious snacks, light bites and drinks. And there’s toilets, accessible facilities, baby change, lockers, and a buggy park too. Exploria can accommodate school group bookings too – a great way to reward a class or year group.
For more and to book online visit exploria.org.uk
Get social with us:
Facebook, Instagram – @exploriauk
Exploria is located at Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3ST.
There is a pay and display public car park with 154 parking spaces including six accessible spaces. This car park is managed by Portsmouth City Council and parking charges apply. – see website for details https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/
“Great fun, good place to go with family and kids. nice, clean, friendly. I recommend this place for families and kids.”
Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre – Located in Hilsea, a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre and next to Mountbatten, Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre is one the leading gymnastics facilities in the country.
A purpose-built gymnastics training facility provides young people and adults the opportunity to develop to a competition level with an artistic and acrobatic gymnastics club programme.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/gymnastics-centre
Get social with us:
Facebook – @PortsmouthGymnasticsCentre
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Portsmouth Tennis Centre – Situated in the north of Portsmouth (Hilsea) next to Mountbatten. Portsmouth Tennis Centre consists of four indoor courts and six floodlit outdoor courts.
There is a comprehensive coaching programme caters for all ages and abilities. Sessions are available for tots, juniors, adults and also includes variations of the sport such as cardio tennis and touch tennis.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/tennis-centre
Get social with us:
Facebook – @PortsmouthTC
Instagram – @PortsmouthTennisCentre
Wimbledon Park Sports Centre – Located a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre, Wimbledon Park Sports Centre has a large sports hall with access to activities such as badminton and indoor sports.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/wimbledon-park
Get social with us:
Facebook – @WimbledonParkSportsCentre
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Charter Community Sports Centre – Located in Portsmouth’s busy university district, a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre, Charter Community Sports Centre offers access to swimming, gym, group exercise classes and sports hall activities. There is also an outdoor multi-use games area.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/charter
Get social with us:
Facebook – @CharterCommunitySC
Instagram – @bhliveactive