Active Living
supporting people to move more
in partnership with


Become active, feel part of the community, improve confidence and feel healthier
If you have a long-term health condition, you should first seek a referral from your GP, clinician or practitioner. If you are eligible, you will then be referred to us, and you may be entitled to FREE access to one of our 12 or 24 week programmes.
Active Living is a unique, award-winning Exercise Referral scheme designed to support people to increase their physical activity levels and improve their health.
Experience instructors will support you through a programme of activity lasting either 12 weeks or 24 weeks, depending on your referral route, with follow-on options available for everyone.
The programme covers a wide range of health conditions including Anxiety; Arthritis; Asthma; Depression; Diabetes; High blood pressure; Osteoporosis; Overweight or obesity

See what classes we offer as part of the programme

See the weekly timetable across our centres
See what our customers think of the Active Living programme
ACTIVE LIVING REFERRAL FORM
Safe referral guidelines - please note before completing the referral form
Self referrals:
If an individual wishes to self-refer, you would need to first consult your GP/clinician/health professional and request that they refer via our online referral form
Community Therapists:
Is independent when mobilising (this includes walking with an aid – walker / stick / crutch)
Independent transfers from normal chair
Cognitively able to follow basic instructions
Housebound patients excluded
Orthopaedic Physiotherapist:
Is at least 6 weeks post-op
Does not require further Physiotherapy
Is independent when mobilising (this includes walking with an aid – walker / stick / crutch)
Is infection clear / scar healed
Pulmonary Physiotherapist:
Clients must have attended a Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme, or have attended Respiratory Physiotherapy
REFERRAL CONTRAINDICATIONS: THESE CONDITIONS MAY PREVENT ELIGIBILITY FOR THE PROGRAMME
Referral Contraindications:
- Unhealed surgical wounds
- Resting systolic blood pressure ≥ 180mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100mmHg.
- Uncontrolled/unstable angina
- New or uncontrolled arrhythmias
- Uncontrolled resting tachycardia ≥ 100bpm.
- Unstable diabetes
- Unstable/acute heart failure
- A recent (within last 6 months) significant change in a resting ECG, recent myocardial infarction or other acute cardiac event.
- Acute/uncontrolled psychiatric illness.
- Symptomatic hypotension/patient experiences significant drop in BP with exercise.
- Experiences pain, dizziness or excessive breathlessness during exertion.
- Febrile illness
- Active foot problem, e.g. ulceration
- Established cerebro-vascular disease
- Any unstable/uncontrolled condition
- Advanced cancer & end of life
- Patient is under the age of 16 years
Where possible, high risk patients should be referred to specialist exercise rehabilitation e.g. Cardiac or Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Otherwise, the procedure for dealing with high risk clients is as follows: All conditions must be stable and controlled.
The following conditions will need further advice from the referring medical professional prior to starting;
– Drug Addiction
– Schizophrenia
Each client and their conditions will be assessed on an individual basis. Only when sufficient information has been received can an informed decision be made on the individual’s case. The GP remains medically responsible for the client.
What to do next if you have one of the above contraindications:
Please speak to your health professional before you self refer or start to take part in physical activity. They will provide documentation to show that you are suitable to exercise safely, and then you can use this form to self refer onto our programme.
By filling in this form you consent to Abbeycroft Leisure contacting you by telephone and email with information about your referral and your information will be shared with an exercise professional at your local facility..
We take your privacy seriously and will only use your personal information to provide you with the products and services you have requested from us.
View our full privacy policy and understand your rights.
Active Living classes and sessions available
Please see the timetable below for days and times of each centre’s availability.
Community Walk
Led walks, lasting around 30-35 minutes are suitable for people who have not been able to walk recently but are looking to become more active or returning from injury/illness.
Cancer Exercise Class
Classes are a great way to develop independence, build confidence and socialise in a supportive environment.
EGYM Active Living Sessions
30-minute personalised equipment based work out circuits, that automatically remembers & adjusts based on the client’s previous workout ideal for older adults, those living with long-term conditions.
Exercise On Referral
Exercise in a controlled environment with qualified instructors to prescribe, supervise and support on a one-to-one basis – group-based sessions are also available.
Falls – Strength & Balance
A specific exercise class aimed at improving strength, balance, mobility and physical activity to reduce or prevent falls with a social element to promote wellbeing.
Keep Active Leisure Club
For over 55’s including archery, walking netball/football, table-tennis & badminton. Sessions include refreshments & a chance to socialise.
Keep Active Class
Gentle exercise class suitable for all, suitable for people looking to become more active or returning from injury/illness.
Keep Active Water Workout
Gentle exercise class suitable for all, but especially those with osteoarthritis or concerned with delaying osteoporosis.
Innerva Class
30-minute circuit based workout using power-assisted equipment ideal for older adults, those living with long-term conditions.
Otago Strength & Balance
Gentle exercise class to improve general fitness, strength and balance.
Pulmonary Breathe Better
Pulmonary rehabilitation classes designed for people with lung conditions and are individually tailored, with advice on how to manage conditions and symptoms.
MSK Hubs Good Boost
Aqua aerobics class for older adults with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. A fun-packed water workout that involves using light dumbbells to increase muscle tone, improve strength, stamina & overall cardio-muscular fitness.
Sporting Memories
Sessions use sports-based reminiscence resources to rekindle those very special sporting memories and events, sessions also incorporate appropriate promotion of gentle exercise.
Swim On Referral & iCan Swim
Water sessions will be especially suited for those with joint, mobility or balance problems.
Together Tuesday
To support physical and mental disabilities, or unseen conditions such as dementia, with exercise and cognitive-based activities.
Zumba Gold
A lower-intensity class introduces easy- to-follow Zumba® choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion and coordination.
Active Living weekly timetable
CENTRE | MONDAYS | TUESDAYS | WEDNESDAYS | THURSDAYS | FRIDAYS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BRANDON LEISURE & HEALTH HUB | Community Walk 09:00-10:00 | Innerva Class 10:00-11:00 | Innerva Class 10:00-11:00 | Otago 09:15-10:00 |
|
Keep Active Archery 10:30-11:30 | Falls, Strength & Balance 12:30-13:00 | Keep Active Table Tennis/Badminton 13:30-15:00 | |||
Pulmonary Breathe Better 14:00-15:30 | Falls, Strength & Balance 12:30-13:00 | ||||
Pulmonary Breathe Better 14:00-15:30 | |||||
BURY ST EDMUNDS | Exercise on Referral 09:30-18:00 | Keep Active 11:00-12:00 | Walking Netball 17:00-18:00 |
||
Otago 11:00-12:00 | Falls, Strength & Balance 13:30-14:30 | ||||
Strength & Balance 12:15-13:15 | Swim on Referral 15:00-15:45 | ||||
Cancer Exercise Class 13:30-14:30 | Walking Football 17:00-18:00 | ||||
MSK Hubs Good Boost 14:00-15:00 | MSK Hubs Good Boost 14:00-15:00 | ||||
Pulmonary Breathe Better 14:30-15:30 | |||||
HADLEIGH POOL & LEISURE | I can Swim 12:30-13:30 | Falls, Strength & Balance 11:45-12:45 | Keep Active Table Tennis 11:15-13:15 | Falls, Strength & Balance 11:45-12:45 | Keep Active Table Tennis 11:15-13:15 |
Walking Football 19:00-20:00 | Pulmonary Breathe Better 13:00-14:00 | Swim on Referral 15:00-16:00 | Pulmonary Breathe Better 13:00-14:00 | ||
Together Tuesdays 14:30-16:00 | |||||
HAVERHILL LEISURE CENTRE | Pulmonary Breathe Better 10:00-11:00 | Pulmonary Breathe Better 10:00-11:00 | Walking Netball 10:15-11:15 |
||
Otago Strength & Balance 11:30-12:15 | Falls, Strength & Balance 11:00-12:00 | ||||
Falls, Strength & Balance 11:30-12:30 | Swim on Referral 13:00-14:00 | ||||
KINGFISHER LEISURE CENTRE | Cancer Exercise Class 09:00-10:00 | Zumba Gold 09:30-10:30 | Cancer Exercise Class 09:00-10:00 | ||
MSK Hubs Good Boost 11:00-12:00 | MSK Hubs Good Boost 12:15-13:15 | ||||
Falls, Strength & Balance 12:30-13:30 | Sporting Memories 14:00-15:30 | Falls, Strength & Balance 11:30-12:30 | |||
Otago Strength & Balance 13:15-14:15 | Otago Strength & Balance 14:00-15:00 | ||||
MILDENHALL HUB | Otago Strength & Balance 10:00-10:45 | Pulmonary Breathe Better 12:00-13:00 | Sporting Memories 13:00-15:00 | Zumba Gold 09:30-10:30 |
|
Falls, Strength & Balance 11:00-12:00 | Falls, Strength & Balance 10:30-11:00 | ||||
Pulmonary Breathe Better 12:00-13:00 | Swim on Referral 13:45-14:45 | ||||
EGYM Active Living 11:00-12:00 | |||||
NEWMARKET LEISURE CENTRE | Keep Active Leisure Club 10:00-12:00 | Keep Active Water Workout 08:10-08:55 | Zumba Gold 10:45-11:45 | Keep Active Water Workout 08:10-08:55 | |
Walking Netball 18:00-19:00 | Falls, Strength & Balance 10:00-11:30 | EGYM Active Living 11:00-12:00 | Pulmonary Breathe Better 12:00-13:00 | ||
Falls, Strength & Balance 10:40-11:40 | Walking Netball 18:00-19:00 | ||||
Pulmonary Breathe Better 12:00-13:00 | |||||
I can Swim 14:00-15:00 | |||||
MSK Hubs Good Boost 14:15-15:15 | MSK Hubs Good Boost 14:15-15:15 |
Contacts for the Active Living team
Email: Activelivingreferrals@acleisure.com
Tel. 01284 757481 Bury St Edmunds Town/Rural
Tel. 01638 782520 Brandon
Tel. 01638 782520 Mildenhall
Tel. 01284 757487 Hadleigh
Tel. 01440 765156 Haverhill
Tel. 01440 765156 Sudbury
Tel. 01638 782507 Newmarket