Horizon Leisure’s Wellbeing Hub celebrates first Birthday

Charitable leisure trust, Horizon Leisure is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the first-of-its-kind Health and Wellbeing Hub based at a shopping mall in Havant.

 

The Hub offers a range of health services, including free health checks for early detection of various conditions and health interventions including its weight management programme, Flourish and an eight-week ‘Foundations’ exercise orientation programme.

 

The Hub also offers specialist beginner group exercise classes, six-week rehabilitation sessions with NHS physiotherapists and NHS smoking cessation sessions. Plus the Hub has specialist ‘pod’ equipment, which takes blood pressure readings that feed directly into the NHS. Residents don’t need to make an appointment, they can simply turn up, use the ‘pod’ and the results will automatically be fed back to their GP practice via a secure computer system to facilitate early detection of high blood pressure.

 

Horizon Leisure’s popular eight-week Foundations programme starts with a really gentle four-week introduction to exercise at the Hub itself, guided by an instructor, followed by a four-week transition into the gym at one Horizon’s leisure centres, again with instructor support. By the end, participants feel confident in the gym and receive a reduced rate membership to encourage ongoing healthy habits.

 

Since its launch, 33.3% of Foundation programme participants have transitioned to Horizon Leisure memberships, with 86.2% feeling motivated to continue their fitness journey, reflecting the hub’s effectiveness in supporting people to enter ‘mainstream’ leisure facilities.

 

One participant who successfully completed the Hub’s Foundations Programme, said: “The Horizon Leisure team gave me the confidence to be in a gym environment after feeling it was impossible.”

 

Mike Lyons, CEO, Horizon Leisure says: “We are very proud of the Wellbeing Hub, and the impact it is making locally. What’s been integral to its success is that we listen to our community and recognise that visiting a leisure centre can be quite daunting. Unlike other leisure hubs, our stand-alone facility is perfectly placed in a non-leisure centre setting. Conveniently located in a shopping mall, it means people don’t have to travel to a leisure centre for exercise or an out-of-town hospital or your GP surgery for health interventions.

 

“Our Hub feels different, it has a relaxed, inviting environment where local residents can access advice and guidance on all aspects of health and wellness from losing weight to quitting smoking and exercise, supported by our expert wellness team and other key healthcare partners.”

 

Since opening in June 2023, Horizon Leisure has improved its offer, introducing more small group exercise classes at the Hub, including a men’s over 55’s weights class, Ladies that Lift, Beat It, for people living with high blood pressure, and a falls prevention class.

 

One gentleman who joined the over 55’s men’s weights course said: “The weights course changed my life! The opportunity to train with people who have the same objective is a great motivator. I’ve enjoyed the Hub so much that I signed up for another course, and in 12 weeks I’ve managed to reverse my diabetes, which is a massive bonus.”

 

Lyons concludes: “We are looking forward to what the Hub can achieve in its second year, and will be launching more sessions, including specialist weight lifting sessions for teenagers and young adults who may lack confidence to attend leisure centres. Plus ESCAPE-Pain, a group rehabilitation programme for people with chronic back pain.”