Project looks to hardwire physical activity into health and social care

A partnership project looks to drive prevention through integrated place-based approaches in adult health and social care.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s Newark Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) is collaborating with Sport for Confidence CIC and a consortium of community partners to create a clear pathway from health to leisure services.

The pathway has been designed to support those with intellectual and developmental disability to access, participate and sustain physical activity opportunities that drive positive occupational outcomes. The consortium of partners includes YMCA Newark and Boccia England.

The project directs individuals from NHS services to their local YMCA Community and Activity Village, where they take part in weekly, coached Boccia sessions tailored to their needs.

Sessions are delivered by the YMCA team and are specifically designed in collaboration with the NHS Newark team.

Healthcare professionals, such as occupational therapists, speech therapists, and physiotherapists, adapt their clinical expertise to the community and activity-oriented setting and work closely with sports coaches to make personalised adjustments, ensuring everyone can meaningfully participate.

Becky Sutton, Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “The project is a fantastic example of how a whole-system approach that recruits the skills and services of a diverse array of community providers can deliver quality, health and social care focused outcomes that not only work for the individual but also helps to take the pressure off clinical services.”

Liz Fletcher, OT and National Lead at Sport for Confidence, added: “Sport and physical activity has the power to deliver a vast array of physical and mental health outcomes.”