Free Musculoskeletal Joint Pain Programme

Healthwise have launched a new Musculoskeletal (MSK) joint pain programme in partnership with the NHS Physiotherapy team at Whipps Cross Hospital and Waltham Forest Council. At health events and the roundtables for Waltham Forest Council’s 2026 Physical Activity Strategy conversations were taking place about how leisure centres can be utilised to reduce waiting lists for patients presenting with joint pain or need for an operation.

Waltham Forest Council commissioned Healthwise to deliver an innovative 12-week joint pain course at Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre. There is an existing partnership between Whipps Cross Hospital and Healthwise as we attend their bi-monthly Community Appointment Days at Leyton Cricket Ground.  
 
Patients waiting for MSK physiotherapy for conditions such as arthritis or different types of chronic joint pain can be referred onto the programme. The guided 12-week programme includes a free weekly 1-hour session that is designed to improve strength, balance, and confidence through gentle, tailored exercises. The weekly class takes place in the Studio facilitated by Healthwise Coordinator, Roxy Whitehall-Smith. 

Programme completer Keith said the classes had improved his fitness, balance and mobility, whilst giving him exercises he could continue to practice at home. 
“It was a really good experience. We focused on overall fitness, not just our specific ailments.” Keith also praised the supportive group environment and Instructors for adapting exercises to individual needs. 
 
Fellow participant Gordana said the programme had helped her learn how to exercise consistently and at the right pace. Describing her experience as “excellent”, Gordana said she now has much more confidence in her health and back condition, and plans to continue her fitness journey through Healthwise PARS. 
 
Healthwise Coordinator Roxy Whitehall-Smith said: 
“It has been fantastic to see participants build their confidence, reduce their joint pain and become more active. Seeing four people successfully complete this programme and progress on to Healthwise PARS is a great example of how we can support people to build and maintain a consistent and achievable exercise routine beyond their initial referral.”

As a result of successful pilot we will be continuing the Musculoskeletal joint pain programme. John Jefford, Debuty Head of Therapy Outpatients at Whipps Cross Hospital said "This gets Waltham Forest ahead of the game in showing we can lead by example on the prevention agenda and getting patients physically active". 
 
All attendees can join on a free 3-month Better Flex membership to sustain activity and access some of the benefits from the Live Better platform which includes online classes. As part of the Never in a Million Years’ campaign GLL committed to 300 in-kind Flex memberships to encourage inactive residents into physical activity with 60 memberships ringfenced for this project.