Healthy Lifestyles

The Healthy Lifestyles Scheme delivers physical activity across the district in partnership with health professionals and instructors specially qualified to work with certain conditions. Our aim is to support people to be more active in a safe way to benefit both their physical and mental health.

GP Referral

If a Doctor, Practice Nurse, Physiotherapist or Health Visitor feels that you would benefit from increasing your physical activity to improve your physical and mental health you could be referred to one of the four participating venues across the district for an assessment with an exercise referral consultant.

A one-off fee of £22.00 is required to start the scheme, which covers two fitness assessments with the consultants – one at the start of the scheme and one on exiting the scheme. The scheme runs for 12 consecutive weeks and you are charged just £2.30 each time you participate in an activity.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

The Cardiac Rehabilitation community-based exercise programme (Phase 4) offers a safe and friendly environment for exercise if you have had a heart attack, a heart procedure or heart surgery.

All activities in the programme will be supervised by a qualified fitness professional. Those joining Phase 4 have normally recently completed NHS rehabilitation classes (Phase 3), but this is not essential. To join these classes, a referral from your GP will be required.

Classes currently take place on:
Monday 9.30am-10.30am via Zoom
Wednesday 2.30pm-3.30pm at The Pulse
Thursday 11.30am-12.30pm at Stratford Park Leisure Centre
Classes cost £3.70 per week

Respiratory Rehabilitation

Respiratory rehabilitation classes provide an opportunity for those living with a lung condition to exercise safely, under the guidance of a qualified instructor. You will require a referral from your GP, Nurse or Physiotherapist for these classes.

Exercise can help you to reduce breathlessness and tiredness, increase your ability to perform daily tasks and improve self-esteem, anxiety and mood.

To join these classes a referral from your GP will be required.

Classes currently take place on:
Tuesday
2.35pm-3.35pm at The Pulse
Classes cost £3.20 per week

Wednesday
11.00pm-12.00pm at Stratford Park Leisure Centre
Classes cost £3.70 per week

Better Balance Exercise Classes

These classes are designed for those who have had a fall or are concerned about their balance.

Following a referral from your GP, Practice Nurse or Physiotherapist, the scheme promotes balance and confidence while helping to prevent falls and improve stamina, increase strength, mobility and flexibility, lower the risk of osteoporosis, and improve blood pressure and cholesterol.

You can also refer yourself to join the classes.

Classes currently take place on:

Tuesday
12.45am - 13.45am at Stinchcombe Village Hall
Wednesday
11.15am-12.15pm & 12.30pm-1.30pm at Maypole Village Hall, Stroud
Thursday
11.30am-12.30pm at Mortimore Rooms, Nailsworth
2.45pm-3.45pm at Chalford Sport & Social Club

Classes cost £3.70 per week.

Living With and Beyond Cancer Exercise Classes

These exercise classes are for people living with and beyond cancer. The classes have been developed to be enjoyable and sociable, but also to ensure you get the full benefit of a physical workout.

Classes currently take place on:
Wednesday, 1.30pm–2.30pm at The Pulse
Friday, 2.00pm–3.00pm at Stratford Park Leisure Centre

Classes cost £3.70 per week

Health Walks

Our Volunteer Walk Leaders guide a variety of FREE short walks across the District, designed to improve your health in a safe, relaxed and sociable environment. The walks range from 30 minutes to 60 minutes.

Find out more

Gentle/Dementia Walks

Gentle walks for those living with long term conditions like dementia and their cares or loved ones to meet, have a coffee and enjoy nature. Some walks are wheelchair accessible.

Gentle Park Walks, Stratford Park, Stroud - Every other Friday from the Museum in the Park. Open to anyone who would benefit from a gentle walk. Wheelchair accessible. For more information on times and dates contact stroud@fairshares.org.uk

Dementia Friendly Walks, Nailsworth – monthly from Egypt Mill. For people living with dementia and their carers. For further details contact the Dementia Friendly Nailsworth group at clarejanik@hotmail.co.uk.

Find out more

Parkrun

Parkrun is a FREE, weekly 5km timed run. Parkruns are open to everyone and are safe and easy to take part in.

Parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9.00am in the following locations:

Stonehouse: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/stonehouse/
Stroud: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/stratfordparkstroud/
Berkeley Green: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/berkeleygreen/
Wotton Under Edge: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/wotton/

Stroud Parkrun

How to Book

Please see each activity for how to book. Some can be booked online and some need a referral.

Book Pulse classes online