Social Prescribing Resource Sheet:
Gentle Exercise

 

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BACP Therapist Directory

This resource page includes a selection of services, tools, and organisations that others have found helpful.

If you require further support in accessing these, or other services, please contact the Social Prescribing Team on 01308 428943 or contact us via our online form.

healthy-walks

 

Social Prescribing is available at your GP Surgery

No Need for a referral, contact us directly to see if we can support you

  • Support with finances
  • Getting Active
  • Hobbies and Interests
  • Connecting to Community
  • Supporting wellbeing
 

A non-exhaustive list of gentle exercise opportunities

 

Bridport Leisure Centre 

‘Active Wellbeing’.  Low-impact, strength-building classes for all fitness levels. No floor work and can be done with a chair.

Website: www.bridportleisure.com/fitness-classes/active-wellbeing-fitness/

 

Tripudio 

Tripudio is a gentle movement system with a focus on the fluid systems of the body.  The class is a combination of stretching, non-weight bearing strengthening and low impact dance moves. Classes across West Dorset and via Zoom.  

Website: www.tripudiomovement.co.uk/

Contacts: Julia Garden - 07734 511287 | Forrester Jone - 07572 543781 | Patricia Williams - 07443 945121 (Lyme and Charmouth)

Yoga for Fibromyalgia, Parkinsons and arthritis/limited mobility  

Inclusive gentle classes. Yellow room, Chapel in the Garden.  Thursdays 11.00am to 12pm noon.  Email Lucy to register:

Venue: Chapel in the Garden, 49 East Street, Bridport DT6 3JX

Email: lucydanceyoga@gmail.com 

Yoga4Pain

Gentle Yoga with tea, coffee and social support.  Tuesdays 2.00pm to 3.30pm in Uplyme.  Contact Judith for information and to enrol.  Judith also offers yoga for mindfulness and stress reduction, workshops and general yoga classes.

Venue: Uplyme Scout hall, Rhode Lane, Uplyme, DT7 3TX

Telephone: 07973 600382

Website: www.judithdavismindedyoga.co.uk

Email: judith@judthdavis.co.uk 

Flamingo Community and Hydrotherapy Pool

A regular 25m swimming pool plus a 6 sqm hydrotherapy pool with hoist and wide shallow steps.  Regular swimming sessions and the hydrotherapy pool is bookable in 1 hour slots.

Website: www.flamingopool.co.uk

Telephone: 01297 358000

Venue: Lyme Road, Axminster, EX13 5AZ

Age UK 

Seated Vitality Exercise classes in Dorchester.  Gentle exercises designed to confidence, stability, mobility and balance.  Pre-booking required.

When: Mondays 1.30pm 2.30pm, Dorchester YMCA, Sawmills Lane DT12RZ.

Telephone: 01305 269444

Email: wellbeingservice@ageuknswd.org.uk

Axminster Health and Wellbeing Centre

Hanover House, Chard Street, EX13 5DZ

Afternoon Chair Yoga with Lucy Brown

TaiChi/QiGong with Si

The Glow Collective

Unit 15, St Michaels Trading estate, Bridport DT6 3RB

Website: www.theglowcollectivebridport.co.uk

Gentle Pilates

Qigong with Leaon

The Henhayes Centre

South Street Car Park, Crewekerne Somerset TA18 8DA

Telephone: 01460 74340

Email: office@henhayescentre.org

Website: www.henhayescentre.co.uk 

Physio Fit

  • Chair based exercise for all abilities
  • When: Monday 9.30am to 1.30pm / Thursday 10.30am to 11.30am

Pilates

  • All abilities
  • When: Monday 2.30pm to 3.30pm

Yoga

  • Mixed class for beginners and improvers
  • When: Thursday 9.00am to 10.15am

Dementia -  Tai Chi

  • Aimed at those living with memory loss alongside their carers
  • When: Third Thursday of the month 1.30pm to1.30pm.

Chair yoga

  • Accessible to everyone
  • When: Wednesday 9.30am to 10.30am /Friday 9.15am 10.15am

Home Exercise

If you find it difficult to get out you can do a workout at home via the internet – you can search online or use youtube.

One option is an NHS approved chair based programme which takes just 10 minutes and is suitable for all abilities.

Website: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJgZygWBKaE&t=5s

Further Information

While we hope you may find something here that supports you, please note that these resources are not all officially endorsed by the NHS. We endeavour to ensure that all listings are accurate and up to date, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee this at all times.

If you are a local service, organisation or group that would like to be included in this guide, please contact us via secure online form and tell us about your support offering.

Last updated: July 2025.