Exercise Referral Scheme

The National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) provides high quality and varied exercise opportunities for Torfaen residents.

National Exercise Referral Scheme Torfaen

The scheme is designed for people who are not physically active and have a medical condition, providing an opportunity to access a high quality supervised exercise programme to improve health and well-being.
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Cwmbran Stadium and Pontypool Active Living Centre deliver the National Exercise Referral Scheme in Torfaen. There are a wide range of activities both gym based and class based. With over 70 activities to choose from per week, based within Torfaen Leisure Trust.

The scheme also offers walking, swimming, specific chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Cardiac Classes. Participants are able to access a wide range of opportunities and these are available for 16 weeks for NERS participants and 32 weeks for Cardiac, COPD and other level 4 conditions NERS participants at a cost of £2.00 per session (As of 1st April 2014).

Some comments people have made include:

"I feel less anxious and stressed"
"My confidence and self-esteem are better"
"Being more active helped me to give up smoking"
"The activity sessions gave me time for myself"
"My wife says I look a lot happier"
"I took more responsibility for my own health"

Comments have included:

"It was a good opportunity to meet other people who had the same worries as I did"
"The sessions made me get out of the house and gave me a new interest"
"I made new friends and enjoyed the conversations we had"
"I feel much fitter and can play with my grandchildren for longer now"

If you feel that you would benefit from the scheme, are 16 and over and are suitable to join then you need to speak to your GP/practice nurse/health professional about being referred.

Your GP/practice nurse/health professional will complete a referral form and provide you with a copy. You will then be contacted by a member of the Torfaen Exercise Referral Team to arrange a consultation where they will explain the scheme in detail. During the consultation the exercise professional will find out a bit more about your health history and help select a programme of exercise that is suitable for you, activities that will be fun, rewarding and help get you fitter.

The National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) is a Welsh Government (WG) funded scheme which has been in development since 2006 to standardise exercise referral opportunities across all Local Authorities and Local Health Boards in Wales.

The Scheme has been funded by Welsh Government working in partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), Local Authorities, Public Health Wales (PHW) and Local Health Boards.

The Exercise Referral Team is here to help you achieve your goals within physical activity and are able to offer advice and assistance.

For more information please click on the links below or contact the Exercise Referral Team on 01495 742232.