Preventative Health Programme success in South Ayrshire
Issued 8/1/26
South Ayrshire Council's Sport, Leisure & Golf service is helping to boost health and wellbeing in our communities.
The service has been working in partnership with NHS Ayrshire & Arran and the South Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership (SA HSCP) to deliver life-changing preventative health classes.
There are now around 100 of these classes taking place across South Ayrshire, offering everything from full-body workouts to water-based exercises for low-impact fitness.
Attendees can be referred by their GP or self-refer. In both cases participants are invited to attend a face-to-face consultation to assess their individual health needs, goals, and suitability for the programme.
In 2025, our classes recorded over 40,000 participant visits. Many members engage on a weekly basis, demonstrating a strong ongoing commitment to the health programme.
Feedback has been really positive with 90% reporting improved physical health and fitness, 89% said they had improved mental health and wellbeing, and 95% said they would recommend the programme to others.
Alison, 61, joined the Weigh To Go Programme and lost over 10kg in 12 weeks. Isla, 70, turned her recovery from a heart attack into a new active lifestyle, attending three classes a week and receiving a clean bill of health at a recent check-up.
Councillor Chris Cullen, Policy Lead for Leisure and Community Services at South Ayrshire Council said: "These interventions are making a huge difference and feedback from attendees has been fantastic. Together with our NHS and SA HSCP partners, our dedicated staff are helping to build a healthier future for our communities—one class, one conversation, and one success story at a time."
Councillor Hugh Hunter, Policy Lead for Health and Social Care at South Ayrshire Council said: "We are constantly reviewing the Preventative Health Programme and in 2025, we introduced new offerings such as Evolve Cycling, NeuroFitness classes, and tailored Health Gym Inductions. We also hosted our first-ever Health Games Day at Riverside Sports Arena. We'll continue to work with partners to deliver life-changing preventative health programmes that help residents live healthier, happier lives."
Lynne McNiven, NHS Ayrshire & Arran's Director of Public Health, said: "We're working together with South Ayrshire Council and SA HSCP, to help people take control of their health and wellbeing. Through easy to access fitness classes and weight management support, the Preventative Health Programme is designed around individuals - giving practical tools, encouragement and confidence to make positive changes. Our goal is to help people feel better physically and mentally, enjoy a healthier more fulfilling life while reducing their risk of preventable conditions."
Plans for 2026 include expanding classes in Maybole, introducing supported gym sessions, and strengthening partnerships with organisations like Parkinson's UK and Big Moose to enhance mental health and neurological support. Investment in instructor training will continue and there will be a launch of a PAN Ayrshire Exercise Referral Form to streamline referrals from medical professionals.
For more information on the Preventative Health Programme visit https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/article/24615/Health-referral-programmes
