A pilot project launched three years ago to introduce physical activity to residents with long-term mental health conditions is hoping to secure further funding to benefit more people across the city.
The PAIL (Physical Activity and Improved Lifestyle) programme began in August 2021 with funding through No Wrong Door, an adult community mental health transformation programme that works across Hampshire, Southampton, Isle of Wight, and Portsmouth.
The project saw BH Live Active fitness instructors deliver supported gym and fitness sessions to more than 80 people with long-term mental health conditions to assess how exercise could improve quality of life.
In partnership with Solent NHS Trust, the project expanded into healthcare facilities throughout the city such as acute and psychiatric intensive care units. Participants reported that by taking part in regular physical activity, their overall mood, health and wellbeing had improved, as has their interaction with other activities, people and peers.
One member of the scheme shared;
“I am now more motivated to come to the gym independently now.”
Another shared;
“Good to meet new people… This group helped me remain interested in the gym sessions as I met people in the same situation as me.”
Partners through Portsmouth Interaction and Solent NHS Trust have applied for further funding through the Portsmouth Provider Partnership Project to develop and deliver the programme to more people across the region.
Kerry Morgan, Portsmouth Interaction Manager for BH Live shared;
“The results of this programme so far have been fantastic. As well as providing more vulnerable individuals with opportunities to stay active, we have also seen that people’s quality of life has improved and that they have had lots of fun. We’re so thankful to our BH Live instructors and our PAIL partners for delivering the sessions and improving lives across the city.”
Toni King, Consultant Occupational Therapist at Solent NHS Trust, said;
“The funding from No Wrong Door enabled us to deliver a project that we’d aspired to deliver in Portsmouth for some time. People living with severe mental illness are more likely to experience poor physical health so there was a need for a holistic approach which considered both their mental and physical health needs.“Working in partnership with BH Live meant we were able to bridge a gap between the fantastic services provided by BH Live and adults we support through NHS mental health services who struggle to access these facilities.”
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
- More than £3,600 was awarded by No Wrong Door in March 2022 to deliver two years of supported gym sessions to mental health patients. The funding bid was produced by Portsmouth Interaction Project in conjunction with NHS Solent.
About BH Live
BH Live is a leading operator of leisure and event venues; a registered charity and social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us: LinkedIn, Twitter @BHLIVE_UK and Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
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.
BH Live operates the following venues in partnership with Portsmouth City Council:
- Mountbatten Leisure Centre – Portsmouth’s flagship leisure and event venue with swimming pools, a 150 station gym,
squash, spin and dance studios, a cycle velodrome, athletics track, function suites with bars, a café and soft play facility.
Mountbatten is also home to an eight-court sports hall. The sports
hall remains temporarily closed for overhead repairs.
It is also home to a Clip ‘N Climb leisure attraction which opened in 2018.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us: Twitter and Facebook @mountbattenlc
- Pyramids Centre – one of Portsmouth’s leading leisure venues overlooking Southsea beach and the Solent. It has state-of-the-art Technogym fitness equipment in a spacious gym with functional fitness, strength and cardio zones. There is a dedicated area for health assessments and people who are new to exercise, plus fitness tracking technology to help support people in reaching their activity goals.
Four activity studios provide a variety of daily exercise classes including Group Cycling, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), Yoga, Pilates and the Les Mills programme.
The centre is also home to Exploria, a themed play and bounce attraction which opened in 2021. A range of exciting experiences stimulate play and challenge children agreed from 6 months upwards. A bounce zone includes a diving tower with air bag, interactive games, themed slides agility parkour, battle beams and foam pits. The play zone includes ball pits, spider’s web and cargo climbing features, a rope bridge skywalk, bash bags, tunnels, rollers, beams and dodge ball shoot out. And the baby and toddler zone has all things Exploria, but downsized for little ones. There is also a range of interactive games, a dedicated sensory room, four themed party rooms and a café serving snacks, light bites and drinks.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk and exploria.org.uk
Get social with us: Twitter @PyramidsCentre
Facebook @Pyramids.Centre
- Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre – gymnastics hall with physiotherapy and meeting room.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us: Facebook @PortsmouthGymnasticsCentre
- Portsmouth Tennis Centre – Situated in the north of Portsmouth consisting of four indoor courts and six floodlit outdoor courts. 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.
Get social with us: Twitter @PortsTennis and Facebook @PortsmouthTC
- Wimbledon Park Sports Centre – sports hall with badminton and basketball courts
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us: Facebook @WimbledonParkSportsCentre
- Charter Community Sports Centre – 20m swimming pool, 20 station gym, sports hall and an outdoor multi-use games area.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us: Facebook @CharterCommunitySC