Pledge 4 – Strengthen connections to and within the health sector
Within Active Belfast, we consider our pledge 4 “to strengthen connections to and within the health sector” paramount to our work. This includes implementing a range of Physical Activity Referral Programmes delivered by specialist coaches throughout Belfast and beyond.
The benefits of physical activity are extensive with evidence linking physical activity to improved overall health and wellbeing. It helps in preventing and managing many health conditions and diseases including coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and promote mental and emotional wellbeing.
Click below for more information on each of the Physical Activity Referral Programmes:
Click to see our full Physical Activity Referral Care Pathway.
Please contact bsp@bhdu.org for further information.
Healthwise is an Active Belfast initiative that your GP or Healthcare Professional can refer you to. The aim of Healthwise is to introduce people who are inactive to regular physical activity in a friendly, comfortable and safe environment. Throughout a 12 week programme we aim to encourage people to adopt a more active lifestyle, with unlimited access to the leisure facility of their choice. Every person referred will be able to take part for 12 weeks at their chosen leisure facility or Healthy Living Centre free of charge.
To be referred to Healthwise, you must meet criteria outlined in our Healthwise poster below:
Click here for the Healthwise Leaflet for Health Professional Referrers
Healthwise Provider Leaflets
Belfast Venues:
- Maureen Sheehan Centre Healthwise Leaflet
- GLL/Better Leisure Centres
- LORAG/Shaftesbury Recreation Centre
South Eastern Venues:
- Ards, Comber and Portaferry North Down
- Peninsula Healthwise
- Lisburn and Castlereagh
- Ards & North Down – Bangor Aurora
Healthwise case study
Maureen Sheenan Centre | The H.E.A.R.T. Project | Gerard O’Neill’s Story
What is Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase IV?
- Click here for Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase IV patient leaflet
- When you have completed Phase III Cardiac rehabilitation with your Cardiac Nurse(s), you can be referred onto the Phase IV programme
- Phase IV is the next stage of the cardiac rehabilitation program which involves the continuation of regular physical activity (or exercise)
- This is a 12 week circuit based program that aims at making you breathe slightly hard and feel slightly warmer
- A qualified cardiac coach will help you work at a level of exercise that you are comfortable with
- You will do this as part of a group at a venue of your choice free of charge
Cardiac Rehabilitation Level IV providers:
Belfast Venues:
- Maureen Sheehan Centre, 106 Albert Street, Belfast BT12 4HL
Contact: Aidan, 028 9031 0346
GLL/Better Centres
- Girdwood Community Hub, 10 Girdwood Avenue, Belfast, BT14 6EG
- Grove Wellbeing Centre, 120 York Road, Belfast, BT15 3HF
- Olympia Leisure Centre, Boucher Road, Belfast, BT12 6HR
- Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre, Montgomery Road, Castlereagh, Belfast BT69HS
Contact for all of these centres: Cheryl 07880328551
South Eastern Venues:
- Laganvalley Leisureplex, 18 Lisburn Leisure Park, Lisburn, BT28 1LP
Contact: Vitality Gym reception 02892600266 or Gareth Coleman 02892448004
This is a free 12 week programme of physical activity for those who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, delivered in a range of leisure and community facilities across Belfast. The weekly sessions are designed to help improve confidence, activity levels and general wellbeing and are delivered by a trained Physical Activity Coach with the overall aim of increasing your physical activity levels.
To find if where this is delivered in the community, contact Susan
Email: diabetesactivecoach@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Tel: 07516 110678
Click here for Diabetes Type II Physical Activity Referral Programme Leaflet
This is a 12 week Strength & Balance programme to assist older people, who have had a fall or are considered to be at risk of falling. The programme combines a variety of strength, balance, co-ordination, flexibility and chair exercises tailored to suit all abilities. The programme is beneficial as the exercise help improve strength, balance and reduce the risks of having a fall / further falls.
Click here for Strength and Balance Falls Prevention Programme Poster
Current venues
- Maureen Sheehan Centre, 106 Albert Street, Belfast BT12 4HL
- LORAG/Shaftesbury Recreation Centre, 97 Balfour Avenue, Belfast BT7 2EW
- Hanwood Centre, Kinross Avenue, Belfast, BT5 7GE
- Willowfield Church Halls, Woodstock Road, BT6 9DN
- Girdwood Community Hub, 10 Girdwood Avenue, Belfast, BT14 6EG
- Olympia Leisure Centre, Boucher Road, Belfast, BT12 6HR
- Andersonstown Leisure Centre, 132 Andersonstown Road, Belfast, BT11 9BY