Seriously Social About Health and Wellbeing: The Story of the Horizon Wellbeing Hub
In a groundbreaking move, in June 2023, Horizon opened a pioneering Health and Wellbeing Hub within a Havant shopping mall. Unlike other leisure hubs, this stand-alone facility, in a non-leisure environment, meets the community ‘where they already are’, empowering them on their journey toward greater activity and wellness.
Mike Lyons, CEO, Horizon Leisure says: “We know that entering a leisure facility can be daunting. Only 17% of the population are members of a fitness facility, and 27% of people nationally claim a lack of confidence is the main reason for not using a gym.
“We are addressing this with England’s first-of-its-kind ‘Wellbeing Hub’ at a shopping centre. Unlike other hubs that have since opened, our Hub’s location means residents don’t have to travel to a leisure centre for exercise or an out of town hospital/GP surgery for health interventions.
“From the outside the Hub looks like any other shop front, except that it advertises its services from eye-catching large screens. The design was created to be familiar and includes comfy sofas and private spaces for consultations and exercise.”
What our Wellbeing Hub Offers
Horizon Leisure’s innovative approach provides a relaxed, inviting environment where individuals can access guidance and exercise, supported by our expert wellness team and other key healthcare partners, who ensure a joined-up approach. Our focus is to help improve our community’s overall wellbeing and to support people in to mainstream services.
Horizon Leisure’s Wellbeing Hub offers:
- Free health checks for early detection of conditions
- Health interventions like our weight management programme, Flourish
- Eight-week ‘Foundations’ exercise orientation programme; a gentle introduction to exercise
- Specialist group exercise classes for targeted groups
- Six-week rehabilitation NHS physiotherapist sessions
- NHS smoking cessation sessions
- Independent blood pressure testing with results that feed directly to GP surgeries facilitating early detection of high blood pressure
The Hub allows passersby to pop in for a quick chat with Horizon’s expert staff, who have a minimum Level Three Exercise referral qualification. Many also hold degrees and Level Four certifications in cardiac, cancer and neurological rehabilitation, and can offer advice and signpost to appropriate services, be that a full health check or an exercise pathway plan.
Our popular eight-week Foundations programme focuses on basic fitness with an instructor at the Hub for four weeks followed by a four-week transition into the gym with instructor support at one our leisure centres. By the end, participants will feel confident in the gym and receive a reduced rate membership to encourage ongoing healthy habits.
The Hub is financially supported by our commercial profits alongside funding from key partners, and specifically targets those from lower socio-economic groups who are more likely to be inactive or affected with poor health. The concept works as people pop in for a chat, a blood pressure test or health intervention on their way to the shops or meeting a friend for a coffee.
The Success of our Services
We evaluate the success of our health programmes, including our Foundations and Flourish iniatives using weight, BMI, heart rate and blood pressure data taken at the start and end of the course, along with a health and wellbeing questionnaire that assesses overall and emotional wellness, as well as the percentage repeating the programme or converting to a subsidised membership at one of our centres.
As we celebrate the Hub’s first anniversary, we’re proud to see 33.3% of our Foundations programme participants transitioning to Horizon Leisure memberships, with 86.2% feeling motivated to continue their fitness journey, reflecting the hub’s effectiveness in supporting people to enter ‘mainstream’ leisure facilities.
Since opening, the SurgeryPod has taken 307 blood pressure readings. Results feed directly into the NHS system. Over 60% of those tested had high blood pressure, prompting necessary interventions. The Horizon Hub experts on hand mean people can get immediate advice, as well as access to a supported physical activity and education programme.
Our partnership with Southern Health NHS physiotherapy has helped alleviate NHS waiting lists, as they can deliver treatment to more people and can discharge patients quicker. Between October 2023 and April 2024 the Hub’s NHS physiotherapy service has seen 116 patients complete it six-week courses, with a third of these joining Horizon’s Foundations programme or exercise referral scheme. They also discharged 76 patients from the NHS following the Hub’s physio sessions.
The Hub is Seriously Social About Health & Wellbeing
The Hub was opened to help alleviate the burden on the NHS and local health services by helping people make better, easier health choices. Through continuous improvements and a community-focused approach, the Hub has become a vital resource for promoting wellbeing. Its unique location supports accessibility, and its diverse and affordable range of services ensures it meets the needs of the entire community.
