Wessex Cancer Alliance’s PREHAB Cancer exercise programme is coming to BH Live Active leisure centres across the city to help cancer patients prepare for surgery.
First introduced at Bournemouth’s Littledown Centre in 2018 under the name of ‘WesFit’, this pioneering prehabilitation exercise programme has already improved the post-surgery experience for hundreds of patients across Bournemouth and Portsmouth.
Thanks to a powerful partnership with leading clinical researchers and healthcare specialists at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) and Wessex Cancer Alliance, BH Live is now expanding this innovative exercise and wellbeing programme to support even more people in the city preparing for cancer treatment.
The programme is aimed at individuals aged 18 and over with stage 3 and 4 cancer and who are preparing for surgery. If they are successfully referred onto the scheme via their NHS health practitioner, they will receive a personalised exercise plan to improve their cardiovascular fitness ahead of their surgery.
The benefits of this prehabilitation exercise programme are said to include improved confidence, better fitness levels, reduced length of stay in hospital, enhanced quality of life, reduced post-treatment complications, and much more*.
Activities include one-to-one personal training and group exercise classes such as cycling, yoga, Pilates and swimming. The scheme is available at BH Live Active, Bitterne; BH Live Active, Chamberlayne; and BH Live Active, The Quays. These centres are owned by Southampton City Council and are operated in partnership with BH Live.
On behalf of BH Live, Karen Tillyer, Southampton Health and Wellbeing Manager, shared;
“Expanding the PREHAB Cancer programme across our BH Live Active centres is an important step in supporting people through a challenging stage of their cancer journey. We’ve already seen how personalised prehabilitation can boost patients’ confidence, fitness and overall recovery. Working with University Hospital Southampton and Wessex Cancer Alliance, we’re proud to bring this life‑changing support to even more people in our community.”
On behalf of Wessex Cancer Alliance, Sally Rickard, Managing Director, added;
“We are really pleased that this partnership is continuing to support people with cancer across Wessex.”
On behalf of University Hospital Southampton (UHS), Professor Sandy Jack, co-lead of the prehabilitation service at University Hospital Southampton, added;
“Expanding the offering of prehabilitation in our city is a really positive step in helping people prepare both physically and mentally for cancer treatment, improving recovery and long-term health outcomes.”
BH Live is committed to inspiring more people to improve their health and wellbeing by moving more regularly and reducing barriers to physical activity. Following its success in Bournemouth and Portsmouth, the charity launched its Exercise Referral Scheme at BH Live Active leisure centres in Southampton earlier this year to help people with long-term health conditions and injuries stay active.
Other health and wellbeing initiatives in the city include Swim Free in Pregnancy, aqua natal classes, guided health walks, and much more. For more information about BH Live’s health and wellbeing programmes, visit bhliveactive.org.uk/health-and-wellbeing-activities, or get in touch at southamptonexercisereferral@bhlive.org.uk.
For more information about BH Live Active, visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
*Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation, Wessex Cancer Alliance, NHS, https://wessexcanceralliance.nhs.uk/our-work/personalised-care/prehabilitation-and-rehabilitation, accessed 23 March 2026.
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.
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.