BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is set to provide extra health and wellbeing support to people across the city thanks to the introduction of its Exercise Referral Scheme.
Building on BH Live’s long-standing experience running successful exercise referral programmes across the South Coast, the scheme in Southampton will provide a personalised 12-week physical activity and wellbeing programme for people living with a long-term health condition, or who are recovering from an injury.
In Bournemouth and Portsmouth, this scheme has already helped thousands of people become more active, boost their wellbeing, and feel more connected.
Getting started
Qualifying Southampton residents can be referred on to the scheme by their GP or healthcare professional. If eligible to take part, they will have a health assessment to discuss their needs and outcomes. They will then be offered a 12-week physical activity plan.
Depending on their needs and abilities, this could include gym sessions, swimming, and/or access to group exercise classes in BH Live Active centres in Southampton. There are regular check‑ins to help track progress.
A subsidised fee applies to take part in the Exercise Referral Scheme, helping to cover the cost of specialist staff support, personalised programmes, and regular progress reviews throughout the 12‑week course. Concessionary rates are available – more information on memberships and PAYG pricing, is available in centre. Participants can also get in touch by email southamptonexercisereferral@bhlive.org.uk.
As a registered charity and social enterprise, BH Live is committed to making physical activity accessible for everyone. Through new community initiatives such as this, BH Live aims to reduce barriers to exercise and support healthier, more active lives.
On behalf of BH Live, Rob Cunningham, Director of Leisure and Business Development, shared;
“Being regularly active can help people manage, or improve, many of the symptoms linked to long-term health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health conditions and more. It can also support ongoing recovery from an injury and provide supported guidance and reassurance.
“Enabling more people to live healthier, more active lives is at the heart of what we do. Thanks to the success of our Exercise Referral Scheme in Bournemouth and Portsmouth, we’ve seen that many people have benefited from the confidence, guidance, and encouragement they needed to be more physically active to improve their health and wellbeing.
“Working closely with local healthcare partners across the city, we hope that the launch of Exercise Referral scheme in Southampton will make physical activity even more accessible for all.”
BH Live operates BH Live Active, The Quays; BH Live Active, Chamberlayne; BH Live Active, Bitterne; and the Outdoor Sports Centre in partnership with Southampton City Council.
Councillor Marie Finn, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health at Southampton City Council said:
“I’m really pleased BH Live is launching its Exercise Referral Scheme across the city to encourage local people to enjoy being active. Creating a healthier Southampton is one of our priorities and we can only do this by working in partnership with residents and partners such as BH Live and NHS colleagues.”
Since taking on Southampton’s leisure services in September 2025, BH Live has already made significant strides in improving health and wellbeing across the city.
Swimming is now free for all under‑5s at BH Live Active pools (when accompanied by a paying adult), and the expanding health and wellbeing team is delivering a growing range of inclusive programmes. These include Swim Free in Pregnancy, Guided Health Walks, Exercise Referral, specialist group exercise classes, and more – all designed to make being active easier and more enjoyable.
For more information about BH Live’s health and wellbeing programmes, visit bhliveactive.org.uk/health-and-wellbeing-activities.
For more information about BH Live’s Exercise Referral Scheme, or to discuss eligibility, contact southamptonexercisereferral@bhlive.org.uk.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
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, Croydon Council, and Southampton City 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.
Southampton City Council
- Creating a healthier Southampton is one of the priorities in Southampton City Council’s Corporate Plan, focusing on prevention, early support and inclusive services to reduce health inequalities, promote independence and improve quality of life.
- Supporting communities to be physically and creatively active is also a key area of focus in Southampton’s Draft 10-year Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2026-2035).
- The Exercise Referral Scheme is one of the ways our physical activity alliance partners are working to implement the We Can Be Active Strategy to support residents to move more.
These leisure centres are owned by Southampton City Council and operated by registered charity BH Live:
BH Live Active, The Quays – Situated near Southampton Harbour, The Quays is one of only four High Performance Centres for diving in the UK.
There is a 10m diving board with an 18m diving pool, with public swim sessions and swimming lessons taking place in a separate 25m main pool. Waterslides offer splashing fun for families and individuals, feeding into a separate lagoon pool complete with interactive water features.
With a state-of-the-art gym complete with cardio and strength areas, group exercise classes are delivered in dedicated studios.
A café with a seating area is also available on-site.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/the-quays.
Get social with us:
Facebook – @BHLiveActive
Instagram – @thequayssouthampton
BH Live Active, Bitterne – Just a short drive from Southampton City Centre, Bitterne Leisure Centre is a multi-complex facility, offering activities for visitors of all ages and abilities to help improve health and wellbeing.
Swimming lessons and swim sessions take place regularly across a 25m main pool (complete with a waterslide) and a 10m learner pool.
With a state-of-the-art gym complete with cardio and strength areas, group exercise classes are delivered in dedicated studios.
A sports hall is also available for block bookings and general hire.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/bitterne.
Get social with us:
Facebook – @BHLiveActive
Instagram – @bitterneleisurecentre
BH Live Active, Chamberlayne – Located in Weston, Chamberlayne Leisure Centre is a popular community leisure centre, offering a range of fitness classes and sports such as football, trampolining, badminton, table tennis, and more across its sports fields and sports hall.
There is also a community hall offering a variety of children’s activities and community events.
Complete with a gym and a grab-and-go café with seating, Chamberlayne offers tons for visitors of all ages to see and do.
Outdoor Sports Centre – Southampton’s Outdoor Sports Centre offers a diverse range of sports and activities for visitors across the city to enjoy.
A multi-million-pound project to redevelop the Outdoor Sports Centre began in June 2025. It is expected to complete in 2027.
More information about this investment is online.