Darlington One Life Exercise on Referral

The Darlington One Life Scheme is a health improvement programme. 

The scheme offers a range of referral options aimed at giving clients the skills and knowledge to make healthier lifestyle choices.

 Audrey Williams with One Life Coordinator Paula Forrest enjoying the benefits of walking People working out in the Pulse Suite Gym, Dolphin Centre  Darlington One Life Logo

Darlington Borough Council, alongside Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) and a range of local partners, manage the scheme.  The scheme allows General Practitioners (GP’s) and other medical practitioners to refer individuals with a variety of medical conditions, to one of the courses offered.

Background

These programmes have been running in the current format since January 2007 but ran for many years before that as the Life Enhancement Activity Programme (LEAP) Scheme. 

Central Government guidance as to how these schemes could be ran in localities, continues to be the “NHS Exercise Referral Systems: A National Quality Assurance Framework” (2001).  Since February 2009 "A Tool Kit for the Design, Implementation and Evaluation of Exercise Referral Schemes" (British Heart Foundation, 2009) has been used for monitoring and evaluation.

The Benefits of the Scheme

  • Improved skills and knowledge to make healthy lifestyle choices
  • Reduced risk of coronary heart disease
  • Help to control hypertension
  • Prevention of Osteoporosis
  • Weight Management and reduction
  • Reduced Stress
  • Mood enhancement and increased self esteem
  • Possible opportunities to reduce medication

Exercise Referral

A 12-week gym based programme, based at the Dolphin Centre.  The client receives a tailored exercise programme written by qualified exercise referral staff. Clients receive fitness assessments at regular intervals to monitor progress.  The client is also given the option of a GP swim, Pilates, Easy Line Circuits, as well as outdoor activities. 

Exercise After Stroke

Three of the One Life Team are now ARNI (Action for Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury) trained - Exercise After Stroke.  This qualification is REPS Level 4 and degree module accredited.  The team deliver cutting-edge reality-based stroke rehabilitation techniques.

The Process

  1. GP refers you onto the course
  2. Client attends course
  3. Client given continual support during course
  4. Feedback given to GP/Referrer

Monitoring of the One Life Scheme

Local policy makers, commissioners and managers, together with primary care practitioners, monitor the effectiveness of these local initiatives to support health and well-being.  All professionals involved in the scheme are trained, educated and continually developed through their respective professional awarding bodies.

What are the Costs?

Most of our initiatives start around £2.00 per session.

Further Information

If you require any further information about the Darlington One Life Scheme, please contact:

Darlington One Life Coordinator
Darlington One Life Scheme
Dolphin Centre
Horsemarket
Darlington
DL1 5RP

Tel: 01325 388904
Fax: 01325 369400
onelife@darlington.gov.uk