Getting Broxbourne Moving: The Power of Integrating Movement into Healthcare

Working in partnership with Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) through Hertfordshire County Council's (HCC) Public Health-funded Active Connections programme, the PCN has successfully been embedding physical activity into healthcare services, making movement a key part of patient wellbeing. 

Since achieving Active Practice accreditation in April 2025, all four surgeries within the PCN have continued to champion the integration of physical activity into daily practice, supporting both improved patient outcomes and the wider effectiveness of local healthcare. 

A standout initiative has been the delivery of Strength & Balance classes, in collaboration with Stevenage Football Club Foundation, led by the PCN's Health & Wellbeing Coaches (HWCs), Gemma Miller and Louise Reilly. The sessions are designed to help residents improve their physical strength, balance, confidence and overall wellbeing, while encouraging long-term healthy habits. 

Participants attending the classes have reported improvements in both their physical and mental health, demonstrating the positive impact of community-based activity programmes. By supporting residents to stay active and independent, the initiative is also helping to reduce pressure on local GP services. 

Broxbourne Alliance PCN's work highlights the power of healthcare and community organisations collaborating, showing how working in partnership to provide easily accessible physical activity opportunities can transform health and wellbeing outcomes. By championing active lifestyles, they are not only improving quality of life for local residents but also building stronger, more resilient communities for the future.

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If you’re part of a GP practice, hoping to replicate the great work done by Broxbourne Alliance PCN, watch Making Movement Matter: Broxbourne Alliance PCN's Active Practice Journey.  

Active Connections is a free to use service, providing simple and effective ways for general practice surgeries to embed physical activity into routine practice. If Active Practice status is of interest to your GP practice, please reach out via hsphealth@herts.ac.uk.