Freedom Leisure, which operates the three leisure centres in Wealden on behalf of Wealden District Council which includes Uckfield Leisure Centre, are proud to announce their involvement in the innovative Stronger for Life project, helping local people stay active, independent and connected during their recovery from illness.
The Stronger for Life project is an initiative designed to minimise the effects of loss of strength, mobility and confidence that can occur during hospital stays. Through a combination of physical activity, technology and collaborative healthcare support, the programme encourages patients to remain active throughout their recovery journey.
Working in partnership with Active Sussex, 20/20 Health, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, the Joint Community Rehabilitation team and Wealden District Council, Freedom Leisure is now hosting the first community-based Stronger for Life sessions in East Sussex at Uckfield Leisure Centre.
Until now, Stronger for Life programmes have been delivered exclusively within hospitals. The launch at Uckfield Leisure Centre marks an important milestone, bringing rehabilitation support directly into the heart of the community and making it more accessible for local residents.
The weekly sessions take place every Thursday from 2.00pm to 3.30pm and offer a welcoming environment where participants can improve their strength, balance, mobility and overall wellbeing with support from health and leisure professionals.
The programme aligns with wider NHS and local health partnership ambitions to help adults build muscle strength, reduce the risk of falls, improve balance and maintain independence, enabling people to live healthier, more active lives for longer.
I'm delighted to be working with our partnerships to provide new opportunities that help people remain active, independent and connected through the Community Rehabilitation Hub in Uckfield. Joining this project is a natural extension of our service's commitment to embracing innovation and delivering client-centred, integrated care that is tailored to the needs of the people we serve. By bringing together NHS services, leisure providers and community partners, we are demonstrating true neighbourhood working and helping people access support closer to home. We are excited to deliver this pilot and gather evidence of its impact, with the ambition of expanding these opportunities in the future
Sean Daisy
As the first community-based pilot of its kind in East Sussex, the programme will be closely monitored to evaluate its impact on participants' health, confidence and independence. If successful, the model could be rolled out across additional community venues throughout the county, creating greater opportunities for residents to access rehabilitation closer to home.
Wealden District Council is proud to help establish and support the Stronger for Life pilot at Uckfield Leisure Centre. This project demonstrates the value of partnership working, bringing together health, leisure, and community organisations to help residents stay active, independent, and connected closer to home. We are delighted to be exploring opportunities to expand this innovative approach across Wealden, helping more people to improve their health and wellbeing.
Cllr Kelvin Williams
At Freedom Leisure, we believe in the power of our Healthy Communities programme, to unite and transform lives. We are incredibly proud that Uckfield Leisure Centre, has been chosen as the first community venue to facilitate the award winning Stronger for Life Programme, adding another layer of provision for the community of Wealden to access. As a not-for-profit organisation, our focus is always on supporting the communities we serve
Martyn Reynolds
The partnership demonstrates the power of collaborative working between healthcare providers, local authorities, leisure operators and community organisations to improve health outcomes and support residents on their journey to recovery.
For more information about Stronger for Life sessions at Uckfield Leisure Centre, visit www.freedom-leisure.co.uk or speak to the team at the centre.