Active Hastings GP Link Worker Service: Connecting Health, Community, and Physical Activity

Introduction

Since 2022, the Active Hastings GP Link Worker Service has been transforming how residents with long-term health conditions access physical activity and wellbeing support. Funded by Hastings and St Leonards Primary Care Network (PCN) through to 2026, and delivered in partnership with Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council, the service bridges the gap between healthcare and community-based activity.

At its core, the programme recognises a simple but powerful truth: moving more, safely and appropriately, can significantly improve both physical and mental health outcomes, particularly for those living with long-term conditions.

1. Community Engagement: Taking the Message Out

A key pillar of the GP Link Worker role is proactive outreach; meeting people where they already are. By delivering talks and interactive sessions within community and healthcare settings, the service raises awareness of the benefits of physical activity and how individuals can get involved.

Sessions cover:

• The benefits of physical activity, particularly for long-term conditions
• Local opportunities through Active Hastings and other providers
• The role of the GP Link Worker
• How to access support and activities

These talks have reached a wide range of groups, including:

• Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase 3 patients at Conquest Hospital
• Neurological support sessions at St Michael’s Hospice
• “Pink Ladies 1066” breast cancer support group
• Older adult community groups such as The A-Team (Salvation Army) and church groups
• Diabetes groups linked with Diabetes UK and Hastings Voluntary Action (HVA)
• Parkinson’s groups across Hastings and Bexhill
• Diverse community groups through the Diversity Resource Internal network, including Chinese, Arabic-speaking, and Pakistani communities, with translators supporting accessibility.

This outreach approach ensures inclusivity, helping individuals from varied backgrounds feel informed, confident, and supported to take their first steps toward being more active.

2. Personalised Support Through Referrals

The second key strand of the service is its person-centred referral pathway. Individuals can be referred by GPs, social prescribers, healthcare professionals, community groups, or they can self-refer.

The service supports people living with a wide range of conditions, including, but not limited to:

• Arthritis and chronic pain
• Back pain
• High blood pressure
• Parkinson’s
• Cardiac conditions
• Cancer
• Fibromyalgia
• Diabetes
• Respiratory conditions.

Each referral results in tailored support, matching individuals with suitable activities and services that meet their needs, abilities, and goals.

Case Example

A 56-year-old woman living with chronic lower back pain was referred into the programme following spinal surgery that had not delivered the relief she had hoped for. Her pain had begun after a fall down the stairs, and although further surgical options were offered, she felt uncertain about pursuing additional operations.

Previously active and independent, she found her reduced mobility and ongoing discomfort were beginning to affect her mental wellbeing, leaving her feeling low and disconnected from the activities she once enjoyed.

Through the GP Link Worker, she was introduced to chair-based yoga and water-based rehabilitation sessions, both tailored to support gentle movement and rebuild confidence.

Over time, she experienced meaningful improvements, including:

• Reduced pain levels
• Improved mobility and flexibility
• Increased confidence in her physical abilities
• A more positive outlook on life.

As her strength and confidence grew, she progressed from chair-based sessions to participating in regular yoga classes. She now attends sessions consistently and describes feeling “very grateful” to the GP Link Worker for helping her find the right support at the right time.

This combination of guided activity and personalised support has enabled her to manage her condition more effectively, improving both her physical health and overall wellbeing.

Her journey reflects the wider strength of the programme, connecting individuals to the right support at the right time through trusted, proactive engagement.

Holistic Referrals and Collaboration

The GP Link Worker Service goes beyond physical activity. Recognising that wellbeing is multi-dimensional, referrals are also made to a range of partner organisations, including:

• St Michael’s Hospice
• 20/20 Health
• Breathe Easy groups
• Health in Mind
• Hastings Therapy Centre
• MSK Partnership
• Social prescribing services
• Local Parkinson’s support groups.

Importantly, referrals are reciprocal - partners also refer into Active Hastings. This collaborative model embodies the principle that “every contact counts,” ensuring individuals receive comprehensive, joined-up support.

Participants are also connected to a variety of inclusive physical activity opportunities such as:

• Chair-based exercise and yoga
• Walking football
• Exercise rehabilitation sessions
• Dance-ability classes
• Breathwork groups
• Mental wellbeing sessions
• Weight management programmes. 

3. Filling the Gaps: Creating Inclusive Opportunities

A standout feature of the programme has been its responsiveness to local need. Where gaps in provision exist, Active Hastings works to develop new, inclusive sessions tailored to people with long-term conditions.

Since launching, the programme has introduced a wide variety of sessions including:

• Chair-based yoga classes
• Seated strength sessions
• A gym session for people with neurological conditions
• A circuits based class for people with neurological conditions
• Additional walking football sessions
• Yoga for men’s health
• Pickleball sessions
• Qigong classes
• Men’s Mental Health sessions
• New Age Kurling
• Strength and balance classes.

These sessions are carefully designed to be accessible, safe, and welcoming. Crucially, they are delivered by qualified instructors who understand how to adapt activities for individuals with complex health needs.

Active Hastings also plays a role in developing the local workforce, supporting and training instructors to ensure sessions meet the highest standards of inclusivity and safety.

4. Proactive Patient Engagement Through GP Surgeries

A key strength of the Active Hastings GP Link Worker Service is its close partnership with local GP surgeries, enabling a more proactive and targeted approach to engaging residents.

When new activities or programmes are introduced, GP practices play an active role in identifying patients who are most likely to benefit. This may include individuals living with long-term conditions such as Parkinson’s, chronic pain, or those experiencing mental health challenges.

Using their text messaging systems, surgeries send targeted invitations directly to these patients, highlighting relevant sessions and encouraging them to get involved. This simple but effective approach ensures that opportunities reach people who may not otherwise seek out or feel confident accessing physical activity.

Importantly, communication coming from a trusted healthcare professional carries significant weight. For many individuals, receiving a message from their GP provides reassurance that the activity is safe, appropriate, and beneficial, helping to overcome common barriers such as fear, low confidence, or uncertainty.

This targeted, personalised engagement has proven to be a highly effective way of increasing participation, particularly among those who are least active or managing complex health conditions. It complements wider community outreach by ensuring that those who could benefit most are actively invited, rather than expected to find support themselves.

The Bigger Picture: Why It Matters

The Active Hastings GP Link Worker Service demonstrates how integrating healthcare with community-based physical activity can:

• Reduce health inequalities
• Improve long-term condition management
• Enhance mental wellbeing
• Build stronger, more connected communities.

By removing barriers and offering personalised, compassionate support, the service empowers individuals to take control of their health in a sustainable way.

Practitioner Insight

Jas, GP Link Worker, summarises the impact of the service:

“Physical activity isn’t just about fitness. It’s a vital part of managing long-term health conditions. We see time and time again how the right support, at the right time, can help people regain confidence, reduce symptoms, and improve their overall quality of life. It’s about meeting people where they are and helping them take that first step.”

Conclusion

The Active Hastings GP Link Worker Service is more than a referral pathway. It’s a catalyst for change. By connecting healthcare, community resources, and physical activity, it is helping residents across Hastings and St Leonards live healthier, more active, and more fulfilling lives.

Visit our GP Referral page, for details on how to self-refer onto this service.