TACKLING HEALTH INEQUALITIES through innovation

Durham County Council is using exercise to improve public health by investing in affordable, inclusive fitness facilities that cater to the diverse needs of its residents

through innovation TACKLING HEALTH INEQUALITIES

To support communities and address heath inequalities, Durham County Council is investing in Move Hubs, power-assisted exercise studios strategically located across the county. Through this innovation Durham is leading the way in rethinking how local authorities can champion health and wellness in their communities. “The ethos behind the Move Hubs is to create an affordable entry level resource which can be used by anyone, whatever their physical activity levels,” says councillor James Rowlandson, Cabinet Member for Resources, Investment and Assets at Durham Council. “The Move Hubs are also social spaces where people make friends and enjoy time together in the café afterwards, helping to improve their mental health.

A county-wide initiative

The Move Hubs are a vital part of the council’s leisure transformation programme, which looks to modernise leisure offerings and support health and wellbeing across the population. The hubs also form a key element of the council’s Move initiative, stemming from the successful 2021-22 ‘Move’ behavioural change campaign, launched to combat declining activity levels among key groups identified by Public Health England research after Covid-19. Target audiences include older adults, individuals with disabilities and those with long-term health conditions.

“We developed the ‘Move’ brand to connect with residents and encourage them to introduce some more movement or increase their mobility,” says Rowlandson. “The programme has been designed to offer a range of leisure activities that suit all ages and fitness levels.”

The council collaborated with Alliance Leisure on its transformation programme, working with its marketing agency, TA6, to create and deliver the campaign. The goal was to educate communities on the benefits of active lifestyles, improve mental health, prevent ill-health and promote healthy, sustainable communities.

Among the successes of the campaign were 3,058 funded memberships, with 354 converting to full paid memberships, and an increase of 2,730 leisure centre memberships across the county.

“To sustain the campaign’s success, we rebranded the entire wellbeing offer to Move, incorporating initiatives like Move Walking and Move Classes,” Rowlandson adds. “Move Hubs were central to inspiring non-traditional exercisers to embrace physical activity in a welcoming, supported environment.”

Safe and sociable exercise options The Move Hubs are more than gyms. Equipped with specialist power-assisted exercise machines from Innerva, they offer safe, supported and social wellbeing spaces where people can improve their mobility and manage chronic health conditions. Staff work with local GPs, the NHS and charities to encourage client referrals into each Move Hub.

“Customers like to attend at the same time each week and with the same group of people, as many view it as a social event as well as a way to improve their physical fitness,” explains Rowlandson.

Many view it as a social event as well as a way to improve their physical fitness

To date, the council has invested £750,000 in three Move Hubs. Access to the Move Hubs are included in the council’s Thrive Move membership, a non-contract option giving members unlimited use of any Move Hub as well as other facilities and programmes at its leisure centres. Membership costs £17 per month (concession) and £26 per month (standard).

A model for public leisure?

The Move Hubs are positioned across the county to address the unique needs of each community. The fi rst hub, at Abbey Leisure Centre, Durham, opened in July 2023 with 12 pieces of Innerva’s power-assisted equipment. Membership reached 300 in the fi rst year, prompting plans to add a MOTOmed bike and extend opening hours to meet high demand. Most users are aged 55+, with 77 per cent aged over 66 and 14 per cent aged over 81. The oldest customer at the Abbey Leisure Centre Move hub is in their 90s.

The second Move Hub opened at the Louisa Centre in Stanley in July 2024, and reached 140 members by October. “We’re already seeing different types of members at this site - 11 per cent are under 55,” says Rowlandson.

The third hub, which opened at Teesdale Leisure Centre in Barnard Castle in November, targets a 55+ population with 21 per cent experiencing limited daily activity. The existing gym had a 26 per cent take up among those aged 55+ and the council aims to transition some of these to the new hub, while working with local groups to engage those most in need of increased activity.

“In general, Move Hub users are 55 and over but most customers are aged 66 and above. These are new customers who are unlikely to use a traditional gym,” Rowlandson says.

Durham County Council is committed to providing sustainable and inclusive health and wellness solutions for its residents. Its pioneering Move Hub model demonstrates how local authorities can tackle health disparities to build healthier and more connected communities.

Most customers are aged 66 and above. These are new customers who are unlikely to use a traditional gym

“Following an accident while out on a dog walk I suffered a broken leg, shattered shoulder, ruptured axillary artery and broken kneecap. This led to me needing a shoulder replacement and suffering complex regional pain syndrome type I. I no longer need a wheelchair and am able to walk without sticks and a limp and have gained 70 per cent use of arm and shoulder.

“I am more independent as my husband had to do everything for me, including dressing and showering me. I can now do that by myself. The main challenge was that I had got as far as I could at the physio. The fact that I made friends here made it easy to attend. Seeing improvements is so enjoyable and we often treat ourselves with a coffee!”

TONY – 64

“I really enjoy the company, everyone has made me welcome, including the staff. This is the only ‘gym’ I have consistently attended in my entire life. I have had a hip and knee replacement and a fused foot following an old sports injury and in March 2022 I suffered a stroke.

“The GP recommended exercise, my neighbour is a local councillor and had been to the Move Hub when Abbey re-opened and recommended I come and give it a go. I now have better movement, especially in my lower limbs in the last three months.

“I can now bend down and walk better. I live nearby so walk here to help get my steps in. I worried about retiring and having too much time but this has been a great routine. Sometimes I was in pain when I woke up and didn’t want to come – but I did and found the pain eased once I started exercising. I was considering moving to the main gym as I am fit enough to do so now, but I really like the social aspect of the hub and have made friends here.”