Move it or Lose it delivered a one-day bespoke training programme for 11 staff members at Aspire Housing, designed to equip frontline teams with the skills, confidence and tools to support older adults to stay active, independent and socially connected.

The training combined:

• Strength, balance and mobility exercises from the Stay Fit for Life programme
• Cognitive vitality activities to support brain health
• Inclusive delivery techniques to maximise participation

Funded through Sport England, the programme also included equipment provision, enabling Aspire Housing to embed sessions into their services and extend reach to approximately 600 older adults.

Alignment with National Priorities

This programme directly supports Sport England’s ambition to:

• Reduce inactivity and inequalities by targeting older adults, a group at higher risk of inactivity and health decline
• Enable place-based solutions, equipping local organisations like Aspire Housing to deliver sustainable activity within their communities
• Build capability within the workforce, ensuring staff have the confidence and competence to deliver safe, effective physical activity

By training non-fitness professionals, this model removes traditional barriers to delivery and creates scalable, community-led impact at a relatively low cost.

Supporting the NHS Long Term Plan

The programme aligns closely with priorities set out by the NHS, particularly:

• Prevention and early intervention
  Strength, balance and mobility training can contribute to fall risk reduction, maintain function and delay frailty.
• Supporting people to age well and remain independent
  Functional exercise helps older adults maintain the ability to carry out everyday tasks such as getting up from a chair, climbing stairs and carrying shopping.
• Reducing pressure on health and social care services
  By improving physical, mental and social wellbeing, programmes like this can help reduce GP visits, hospital admissions and reliance on care services.

Participant Feedback 

• 100% agreed the training increased their knowledge of safe and appropriate exercise delivery
• 90% felt more confident after the training
• 100% agreed the training would improve wellbeing & independence of those they support
• 100% agreed the training was well delivered and easy to follow
• 100% would recommend the training to others

Qualitative Feedback

Participants highlighted the immediate practical value and inclusivity of the training:

“Amazing training. I feel I now have the knowledge and tools to feel confident delivering the exercises to our customers – very informative and the trainer was brilliant.” – Julie

“Loved the training.” – Ana

“It was great learning how to adapt the exercises so it’s truly inclusive.” – Lee

“All the exercises will be highly beneficial for older people to improve their mobility and help me motivate them.” – Rachel

“Learning how to use props like balls and batons will really help to keep our customers engaged.” – Diana

Impact Potential

This training model demonstrates how a single day of targeted workforce development can unlock long-term, scalable impact:

• 11 trained staff → reach of 600 older adults
• Sustainable delivery embedded within existing services
• Immediate application with minimal additional cost
• Supports physical, cognitive and social health simultaneously

Crucially, this approach:

• Extends beyond traditional fitness settings
• Empowers housing, care and community organisations
• Creates ongoing behaviour change, not just short-term intervention

Conclusion

This bespoke training programme highlights a highly effective, scalable and affordable model for supporting older adults to stay active and independent.

By aligning with both Sport England priorities and the NHS Long Term Plan, it demonstrates how investment in workforce training can deliver meaningful, preventative health outcomes at scale.

With the potential to be rolled out nationally across housing providers, care settings and community organisations, this model represents a significant opportunity to reduce inactivity, improve quality of life and ease pressure on health and social care systems

Ultimately, it’s about giving more older adults the opportunity to stay stronger, live independently for longer and remain connected to their communities.

Ready to Bring This Into Your Organisation?

Whether you’re looking to improve wellbeing, reduce inactivity or support independence, our bespoke training can help you achieve it.

Enquire today to receive a free brochure

 

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Move it or Lose it delivers evidence-informed bespoke training for organisations supporting older adults, including care homes, housing providers and community groups. Our programmes focus on strength, balance, mobility and cognitive wellbeing, helping staff deliver safe, inclusive and engaging sessions that support independence and reduce inactivity. With flexible options from short workshops to multi-day training, our approach builds workforce confidence, embeds sustainable activity and aligns with Sport England priorities and the NHS Long Term Plan.

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About Move it or Lose it Training

Move it or Lose it is committed to helping older people live longer, healthier and more independently through safe, effective and enjoyable exercise.

Our training focuses on improving strength, mobility, balance and confidence—while also creating opportunities for social connection and reducing loneliness.

Because it’s not just about helping people move more—
it’s about helping them live better.