GP Referral

Abbeycroft Leisure is delighted to offer a Referral Exercise Programme.

Your doctor may decide that your health would benefit from more activity and refer you to the “Inspire 4 Life” Exercise Referral programmes run by Abbeycroft Leisure at both Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill Leisure Centres.

The Scheme

You will have access to the Exercise Referral scheme for 10 weeks.  There are 3 dedicated GP Referral sessions a week, but GP referrals can come in any time they wish. Although there may be a GP Specialist on duty, our Abbeycroft instructors can usually deal with any queries, allowing clients up to 20 one-hour sessions.

We will contact you to arrange an initial free one-to-one consultation with a GP referral instructor; this will be a one-hour appointment. It is a relaxed session where we find out more about you and your medical history and you can ask any questions you have.

The initial consultation appointment would be followed up with a one to one induction thus providing safe access to the gym. The one to one session would be with the same exercise referral instructor and will be a tailor-made programme to suit you, your preferences and your medical conditions.

After these two initial appointments you are free to attend any GP referral session for the remainder of the 10 weeks.  All these sessions will be supervised by a GP referral instructor, but would not be 1-to-1.

Each time you attend a specific GP referral session, there will be a GP instructor available supervising the session. They can take the time to chat, feed back and give ongoing advice.

After five weeks we have a second one-to-one appointment to check your progress. This is a more formal way for the client to ask for any additional advice or guidance (which does not have to be directly relevant to the gym sessions and may focus on additional support, nutrition advice or alternative activities/exercises).

At the end of the 10 weeks, we will providean ‘exit’ interview where we again monitor your progress and suggest ways to continue with your new active lifestyle.  And you have the chance to tell us what you think of the scheme!

What to wear

Loose fitting and comfortable clothes.  The most important considerations are for sensible comfortable footwear (trainers, flat shoes etc) and for supportive, yet comfortable underwear.  Bring something warm to slip on afterwards. Bring a bottle of water to sip during the exercise session plus a piece of fruit to eat afterwards

What to do when you arrive

Present yourself at reception and tell them you have an appointment at the gym.  They will then tell you where you need to go. If any more information is required please contact

How much does it cost?

£5 for the initial one to one programme consultation
£3.85 per session
£2.60 per session for concessions (check eligibility on booking)

How to book?

Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre: call Jackie Chubb on 01284 757481

Haverhill Leisure Centre: call Mandy Felton on 01440 765133

When is it?

Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre
Monday 1pm–4pm
Wednesday 9am–1pm
Thursday 9am-12pm

Haverhill Leisure Centre
Tuesday 8am–1pm
Wednesday 8am-1pm
Thursday 12pm–4pm

Please note: there are also several suitable studio classes available to GP Referrals, should they wish to partake