Active Health & Social Care
Explore active health and social care and discover a wide range of tools and resources to enhance your practice, expand your knowledge and inspire you to support someone with a long-term condition to move a little more.
Stories
Training & Learning
Policies
Programmes
Resources
Data
Evidence
Tools & Guides
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Evidence
Scotland's Burden of Disease
Public Health Scotland published a study showing that over 3,000 deaths are due to physical inactivity, with the greatest risk of burden falling on those with long-term health conditions.
Resources
Realistic Medicine - Doing the right thing: Chief Medical Officer annual report 2023 to 2024
The Chief Medical Officer Sir Gregor Smith has published his annual report, highlighting that realistic medicine is key to delivering values-based health care, and the focus for this year is to drive forward careful and kind care that celebrates innovation and sustainability in practice.
Data
Millions more moving: a new report from the Richmond Group of Charities
Millions more moving builds on the public consultation undertaken for We Are Undefeatable, which heard from over 2,200 people with long-term conditions and those who support them.
Evidence
CMO Annual Report
Chief Medical Officer's (CMO) third annual report, and the seventh on Realistic Medicine. It reflects on the challenges our system is facing and asks professionals to practise Realistic Medicine, in order to deliver value based health and care and a more sustainable system. Scottish Government 2023.
Tools & Guides
Physical activity guidelines: adults and older adults
Infographic to help health professionals explain the type and amount of physical activity that adults and older adults should be doing to improve their health. UK Government 2019
Tools & Guides
It’s safer for people with long-term conditions to be physically active
Infographic summarising what healthcare professionals should know before giving advice about risk to people living with long term conditions.
Tools & Guides
We Are Undefeatable - Website
Physical activity campaign aimed at people with (multiple) long term health conditions. A ‘Supporter’s Hub’ included campaign insights and resources to help sport and physical activity sector get involved in supporting people with long term health conditions get active.
Training & Learning
Walk your way to strength and balance programme
A half day workshop explains why daily walking plus strength and balance activity provide the key to active older age. Walk Leaders will learn how to do simple Strength and Balance exercises that can be introduced to walkers and on health walks. Each delegate will receive a set of cue cards and 5 leaflets. This course can be delivered for groups of up to 15 Walk Leaders online.
Programmes
Active Hospitals
Active Hospitals is national programme designed to facilitate the integration of physical activity into care pathways in a secondary care setting. Active Hospitals aims to change the physical activity culture within hospitals to encourage patients to move more. Includes an interactive toolkit with templates, resources, documents, case studies and process support to implement an Active Hospital approach.
Programmes
Active Practice Charter
The Active Practice Charter celebrates GP practices that are taking steps to increase activity in their patients and staff. The charter outlines key principles of what it means for a practice to be active and the steps GPs and their teams can take to get there. To gain Active Practice accreditation, surgeries will need to show they've taken a number of steps. Practices that register for the charter receive resources and support.
Programmes
Walking for Health
National walking programme delivering and funding evidence-based behaviour change programmes in our communities, transport, workplaces, education and care settings, with a focus on the least active groups.
Programmes
Strength and Balance Programme
National programme to promote strength and balance. Designed by leading experts in ageing and health. Incorporates CMO Guidelines for increasing strength and balance in the adult and older adult population. Consists of resources and workforce training that will improve strength and balance and reduce the risk of falls. Includes printable take-home leaflets for adults and a follow-along YouTube exercise video. Provides signage for health and care settings to promote supported and self-led strength and balance activity.
Programmes
Physical Activity Pathway
A set of steps health and social care professionals in primary and secondary care roles can take to encourage the people in their care to be more active. It targets adults who are inactive or not active enough to benefit their health and can be used in any face-to-face conversation between you and the person in your care.
Policies
The Positive Contribution of Physical Activity and Sport.
A collaborative paper highlighting the positive contribution of physical activity across COSLA’s policy areas, the National Performance Framework and Scotland’s public health priorities. Draws on evidence to illustrate the direct and indirect benefits that contribute towards multiple outcomes and priorities simply by enabling people to be more physically active. COSLA, Public Health Scotland and sportscotland 2021
Policies
The National Walking Strategy. Action Plan 2016 – 2026
The National Walking Strategy outlines the vision of a Scotland where everyone benefits from walking. This Action Plan is a high level plan that has been developed to assist in the delivery of Let’s Get Scotland Walking. This Delivery Plan sets out how the actions to achieve shared outcomes align with the objectives set out in the WHO Global Action Plan for Physical Activity. Scottish Government 2019
Policies
Active Scotland Delivery Plan
Plan setting out actions that The Scottish Government and partners are undertaking, working together to encourage and support people in Scotland to be more active, more often. Scottish Government 2018
Policies
Active Travel Framework
Brings together the key policy approaches to improving the uptake of walking and cycling in Scotland for travel. It has been produced collaboratively by Transport Scotland and key delivery partners, with input from Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) and local authorities. Transport Scotland 2020
Policies
Scotland’s Public Health Priorities
Report on Scotland's six public health priorities. The priorities reflect the issues believed most important to focus on to improve the health of the nation. A foundation for the systemic change needed to achieve real and tangible improvements in the nation’s health and are intended to provide a focus for our collective efforts. Scottish Government and COSLA 2018
Policies
Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018– 2030: More Active People for a Healthier World.
WHO global action plan and framework of effective and feasible policy actions to increase physical activity at all levels. Provides global leadership and stronger regional and national coordination, and advocates for the need for a whole-of-society response to achieve a paradigm shift in both supporting and valuing all people being regularly active, according to ability and across the life course. World Health Organisation 2018
Evidence
We Are Undefeatable Insight Summary
This is where you will find further information on key insights and research that has been conducted throughout the course of the campaign, including behaviour change theory and Covid-19 insights. You can also find the research and insights which contributed to the original development and shaping of the campaign. Movement for ALL and Sport England 2019 – 2022
Evidence
Evaluation of the Movement for All programme
Movement for All aims to support people with long-term conditions to become more physically active in a way that suits them, and to collate and share lessons learned and good practice between organisations. This report summarises the work undertaken and supported by Movement for All. What they achieved – presents its overall impact. What they learned – explores key insights, learning and good practice recommendations from the programme. What next – examines next steps. The Richmond Group of Charities and Sport England 2022
Evidence
Health matters: physical activity - prevention and management of long-term conditions
This edition of Health Matters focuses on the benefit of physical activity for the prevention and management of long-term conditions in adults. Public Health England 2020
Evidence
UK Chief Medical Officers' physical activity guidelines communications framework
The communications framework provides guidance for the UK and devolved government administrations on how to communicate the UK chief medical officers’ physical activity guidelines to key professionals and practitioners who are required to know, understand and apply the guidelines in practice. UK Government 2023
Tools & Guides
Physical activity for adults and older adults. UK Chief Medical Officer’s Physical Activity Guidelines
Infographic explaining the physical activity needed for general health benefits for adults and older adults. UK Government 2019
Tools & Guides
Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018– 2030: More Active People for a Healthier World.
WHO global action plan and framework of effective and feasible policy actions to increase physical activity at all levels. Provides global leadership and stronger regional and national coordination, and advocates for the need for a whole-of-society response to achieve a paradigm shift in both supporting and valuing all people being regularly active, according to ability and across the life course. World Health Organisation 2018
Tools & Guides
Eight Investments that work for Physical Activity
The International Society for Physical Activity and Health provides an overview of best evidence which can be used to advocate, inform and lead physical activity policy and discussion. A call to action for everyone, everywhere, including professionals, academics, civil society and decision makers, to embed physical activity in national and subnational policies. International Society for Physical Activity and Health 2020
Evidence
All NICE products on physical activity Guidance and Quality Standards
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has a number of clinical pathways that highlight the role of physical activity in preventing and managing illness.
Evidence
Estimating the burden of disease attributable to physical inactivity in Scotland
This analysis reinforces the importance of physical inactivity as a risk factor for non-communicable disease (NCD) in Scotland. It uses data to model the estimated burden of disease attributed to inactivity related to ischaemic heart disease (IHD) at multiple levels – national, health board and by local authority area. Public Health Scotland 2023
Evidence
UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines
A report from the Chief Medical Officers in the UK on the amount and type of physical activity people should be doing to improve their health. UK Government 2019
Evidence
Evidence Finder
Accessible evidence-based digital tool to help healthcare professionals find the latest condition specific evidence on the benefits of physical activity so that they may support people with health conditions become more active.
Evidence
It’s safer for people with long-term conditions to be physically active
Infographic summarising what advice healthcare professionals should give to people living with long term conditions about physical activity including symptom specific considerations.
Evidence
A systems-based approach to physical activity in Scotland. A framework for action at a national and local level
An evidence-based systems-wide approach to increasing levels of physical activity in Scotland for policy makers and practitioners. Includes a wide range of actions across multiple sectors and settings which will allow the necessary changes to be made to help get more people moving actively and lead to more positive health outcomes. Public Health Scotland 2022
Evidence
Global status report on physical activity 2022
WHO’s first dedicated assessment of global progress on country implementation of policy recommendations of the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA) 2018- 2030. Presents an estimate of the cost to health systems of not taking action to improve physical activity levels and reinforces the urgency to position physical activity as a shared, whole-of-government priority, and to strengthen coordination and partnerships to promote physical activity. WHO 2022
Data
Country Card for Scotland 2021
An advocacy tool designed to provide Scotland with an overview of physical activity prevalence, surveillance, research productivity and policy. World Health Organisation 2022
Data
Global Physical Activity Observatory
A global organisation consisting of physical activity researchers, epidemiologists, public health policy makers and practitioners that catalogues and analyses global data on physical activity and health.
Data
Scottish Health Survey 2021: Supplementary tables
The supplementary tables provide breakdowns of a range of indicators from the Scottish Health Survey by age group, deprivation, income and presence of long-term conditions. The tables highlight adult physical activity levels by longstanding limiting condition. The Scottish Government 2022
Data
The Scottish Health Survey 2021 - Volume 1: main report
Health and factors relating to health of people living in Scotland. Findings on activity levels and muscle strengthening activity among adults. Breakdown on adult physical activity by Scottish Index of Multiple deprivation Index (SIMD. The Scottish Government 2022
Training & Learning
Thrive Learning Programme
This programme helps practitioners understand more about how to use physical activity or sport to achieve a range of outcomes. Includes: A short course - a free online course of self-directed study for those based in Scotland suited to those who may have a part time or volunteer role in using physical activity or sport to make a difference. A certificated training course - 3 days of training over 3 months with work-based learning. This full course is particularly suited to those working full time in this field, including both managers and practitioners. It is currently free to those based in Scotland.
Training & Learning
Strength and Balance Workshop for Healthcare Settings
A half day workshop that explains why walking, plus Strength and Balance provide the key to active older age. Participants will spend time learning how to encourage mobility and activity and build Strength and Balance into daily care. This course is delivered by qualified trainers who have extensive experience in health and social care.
Training & Learning
Walking for Health Training Inclusion Training – including people with a disability in Health Walks and outdoor activities
Half day practical training course for Walk Leaders and staff/volunteers involved in leading outdoor activities. This training aims to increase confidence in supporting the inclusion of disabled people in outdoor activities such as Health Walks or other low level activities. The focus of this course is on ability rather than disability, and the aim is to help you to influence and deliver good practice, to communicate effectively and to find out where to go for further information. The course is delivered by experienced trainers from Scottish Disability Sport.
Training & Learning
Dementia Friendly Walk Leader Training
A half-day practical training course for Health Walk Leaders and Coordinators who would like to increase their knowledge and skills to deliver walks that are safe and enjoyable for people living with dementia.
Training & Learning
All Ability Health Walk Leader Training
This course is for Health Walk Leaders and Coordinators who would like more knowledge and skills in leading welcoming and more inclusive Health Walks for people of all abilities. This course aims to increase participants confidence in supporting the inclusion of people with disabilities, impairments and long-term conditions in Health Walks. It also aims to help participants to influence and deliver good practice, to communicate effectively, and to find out where to go for further information or support. The course is delivered by expert trainers from Scottish Disability Sport.
Training & Learning
Training for Health Walks in the Community: Health Walk Leader Training
This course enables volunteers and staff to lead safe, effective and enjoyable Health Walks in a community setting as part of a Health Walk provider. This course can be delivered for groups of up to 15 online.
Training & Learning
Inequalities E-learning Hub
This learning hub is suitable for anyone who has an interest in understanding health inequalities in Scotland and the steps you can take to help reduce them. You will focus on understanding the link between discrimination, inequality, and health Inequalities. This will provide you with a strong foundation knowledge of the subject matter.
Training & Learning
Encouraging and enabling people to be active
The aim of this learning is to support anyone who has a role in encouraging physical activity, and those working directly in physical activity to encourage and enable people to be more active. This includes those working in health and social care, leisure and the third sector.
Training & Learning
MAP Health Behaviour Change for Health Programme
The MAP of Health Behaviour Change Learning Programme aims to increase capability and capacity in all health and care staff to provide psychologically informed behaviour change support to the people they care for.
Training & Learning
Working with Inactive People; Working with People with Long Term Conditions; Working inclusively (working with disabled people)
Population Specialism Professional Standards Qualifications & Degrees. These outline the minimum knowledge, skills and behaviours required by practitioners involved in the support and delivery of physical activity, exercise and behaviour change for adults who are inactive, at high(er) risk of developing or living with one or more long term conditions. and with disabled people.
Training & Learning
Skillsgate CIMSPA Academy - E-Learning platform
CIMSPA Endorsed Continuing Professional Development opportunities in obesity/diabetes • chronic respiratory disease • long-term neurological conditions • cardiac disease • falls prevention • stroke • mental health • back pain.
Training & Learning
Active Conversations
A practical, evidence-based online learning course developed by clinicians, for clinicians that teaches you how to have quick, effective and positive conversations that encourage patients to do more physical activity. There are two courses available, a Foundations course, accredited with 6 CPD points and a Full course which incorporates Foundations and is accredited with 16 CPD points.
Training & Learning
Physical Activity Pathway
Evidenced based resource to help health and social care practitioners deliver physical activity screening, brief interventions and appropriate onward referral / signposting. Public Health Scotland.
Tools & Guides
UK Chief Medical Officers' physical activity guidelines communications framework
Provides guidance for the UK and devolved government administrations on how to communicate the UK chief medical officers’ physical activity guidelines to key professionals and practitioners who are required to know, understand and apply the guidelines in practice. UK Government 2023
Tools & Guides
Supporting people with long term health conditions to be physically active
Four ways you can make a difference and help people with long term health conditions be more active. Information about why it’s important. Resources and case studies with more information and inspiration from good practice. The Richmond Group of Charities, The National Lottery and Sport England 2022
Tools & Guides
Easier to be active with a health condition
Five themes that influence the experiences of physical activity for those with long-term health conditions. Guidance for the health, sport and physical activity sector to better support people with health conditions become more active. Sport England Sheffield Hallam University and the National Centre for Sport & Exercise Medicine (NCSEM) 2023
Tools & Guides
Physical activity: brief advice for adults in primary care
This guideline covers providing brief advice on physical activity to adults in primary care. It aims to improve health and wellbeing by raising awareness of the importance of physical activity and encouraging people to increase or maintain their activity level.
Tools & Guides
Physical activity: for NHS staff, patients, and carers
This quality standard covers encouraging physical activity in people of all ages who are in contact with the NHS, including staff, patient and carers. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement.
Tools & Guides
Physical activity referral standards
A set of professionally developed and evidenced based standards to assist the physical activity referral sector to develop, commission and deliver services in Scotland. The standards are aimed primarily at physical activity referral providers, as well as staff across health and social care, who have a key role in referral and commissioning of physical activity referral services. Public Health Scotland 2022
Tools & Guides
Physical Activity Pathway
A set of steps health and social care professionals in primary and secondary care roles can take to encourage the people in their care to be more active. It targets adults who are inactive or not active enough to benefit their health and can be used in any face-to-face conversation between you and the person in your care.
Tools & Guides
Moving Medicine
Accessible evidence-based step-by-step guide to help healthcare professionals integrate physical activity conversations into routine clinical care. Includes Patient Consultation Guides and an Information Finder to help you give condition specific advice on physical activity at all stages of a patient’s treatment pathway.
Resources
Every Body Moves
An engaging platform featuring more than 7,000 inclusive sessions and a range of virtual workouts, hints and tips, and has been co-produced with disabled people.
Resources
Moving Medicine
Award winning step-by-step guide to help healthcare professionals integrate physical activity conversations into routine clinical care. Includes a Patient Information Finder that will take you directly to the disease specific physical activity advice and access to digital patient information leaflets.
Resources
Make Your Move
A series of short physical activity videos, to help people with (multiple) long term conditions get active in the way that works for them, from the charities behind We Are Undefeatable.
Resources
We Are Undefeatable - YouTube
A wide range of accessible and inclusive videos tailored for people with (multiple) health conditions available via YouTube.
Resources
We Are Undefeatable - Website
Physical activity campaign aimed at people with (multiple) long term health conditions. Website & campaign resources including leaflets and posters that can be printed and distributed at locations including health and social care settings and leisure facilities.
Data
How our members moved in 2023
Movement for Health has undertaken a review of the physical activity and movement programmes offered by members of the coalition. This review aims to report on best practices within the coalition, while recognising areas of growth for the entire sector. This work involved a scoping review of each member’s website, as well as in-depth interviews with contacts from member organisations. In it, you’ll find an overview of what has been gathered, observations on the breadth of member’s work, as well as recommendations for moving forward.
Tools & Guides
Voluntary Health Scotland (VHS) report, Essential Connections
Voluntary Health Scotland (VHS) report, Essential Connections, explores the range and scope of community link worker programmes across Scotland. The report is the culmination of eight months of research by the Scottish Community Link Worker Network’s Policy and Research Officer, Findlay Smith. His research included a survey of 60 community link workers (CLWs) working in GP practices and interviews with 18 community link worker programme leads and managers from across Scotland.
Programmes
Street Design in Scotland
Street Design in Scotland is an award-winning design and engagement service Funded by the Scottish Government, Sustrans Scotland’s Street Design Programme. The scheme is open to local authorities, constituted community groups, other public agencies and statutory bodies and aims to empower communities to transform their neighbourhoods and urban spaces to support walking, cycling and wheeling.
Programmes
Moving Healthcare professionals
Moving Healthcare Professionals is a national programme, led by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and us, to support healthcare professionals to increase their knowledge and skills, and incorporate physical activity within routine care to support quality improvement and better patient outcomes.
Policies
National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4)
The National Planning Framework (NPF) is a long term plan for Scotland that sets out where development and infrastructure is needed. A long term plan looking to 2045 that guides spatial development, sets out national planning policies, designates national developments and highlights regional spatial priorities. It is part of the development plan, and so influences planning decisions across Scotland. Scottish Government 2023
Resources
COSLA Plan 2022-2027 Our vision and priorities for Local Government and Communities across Scotland.
The COSLA Plan sets out the vision and priorities for Local Government and communities across Scotland. COSLA 2022
Policies
Recovery and rehabilitation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: framework for supporting people.
This paper provides a strategic framework with overarching principles and high-level recommendations, which inform and shape the provision of rehabilitation and recovery services across Scotland for the coronavirus (COVID-19) period and post coronavirus (COVID-19). Scottish Government 2020
Policies
Sport For Life: a vision for sport in Scotland
A strategy from sport scotland outlining the vision for an active Scotland where everyone benefits from sport. Sport For Life sets out the assets available to Scottish sport and the approach we can take, working with partners, to help everyone benefit from sport - even people who don't take part in it.
Policies
National Performance Framework
The National Performance Framework sets out a vision for national wellbeing in Scotland – it is Scotland's wellbeing framework. It sets an overall purpose and vision for Scotland. It highlights the broad National Outcomes that support the purpose and measures how well Scotland is progressing towards those outcomes. Scottish Government 2018
Policies
Sustainable Development Goals. Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations 2015
Formulated by the United Nations General Assembly. A collection of seventeen interlinked objectives designed to serve as a "shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future". United Nations 2015
Tools & Guides
WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour
Evidence-based public health recommendations for children, adolescents, adults and older adults on the amount of physical activity (frequency, intensity and duration) required to offer significant health benefits and mitigate health risks. World Health Organisation 2020
Training & Learning
Skillsgate CIMSPA Academy - E-Learning platform
CIMSPA Endorsed Continuing Professional Development opportunities in obesity/diabetes • chronic respiratory disease • long-term neurological conditions • cardiac disease • falls prevention • stroke • mental health • back pain.
Training & Learning
Physical Activity and Health
E-learning module - CPD Accredited. This e-learning course prepares GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals to champion the benefits of physical activity with their patients and, in doing so, help prevent and/or manage a range of common physical and mental health conditions. The course will familiarise the learner with the UK Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity guidelines, the underpinning evidence base and how to incorporate it into their daily clinical care.
Resources
Making Every Contact Count
An interactive learning resource to support people to develop the knowledge and understanding to make every contact by asking others about their health and well-being.
Training & Learning
BMJ Learning: e-learning modules in physical activity
This series of evidenced-based e-learning modules for healthcare professionals to highlight the importance of physical activity and how it can produce health benefits with detailed evidence-based summaries on prevention, early intervention and treatment of long-term conditions.
Tools & Guides
Promoting physical activity through primary health care: a toolkit
Based on the best available evidence and practice, this toolkit aims to support all countries in strengthening physical activity assessment and counselling as part of primary health care. Countries can use this toolkit to help develop new protocols and services to promote physical activity within the health sector or to help review and improve existing approaches. World Health Organisation 2021
Resources
A Local Information System for Scotland (ALISS)
ALISS is a national digital programme enabling people and professionals to find and share information on resources, services, groups, and support in their local communities and online. ALISS can help you find information about resources like activities that offer opportunities for getting more active and for getting outdoors (e.g., sports clubs, community gardens).
Resources
Actify
The Actify platform is a free digital tool that enables sport and physical activity organisations to create and host digital content, learn from one another, and support their audiences.
Resources
Get Active - Better Health
Advice and apps to support you to become more active, incorporates physical activity behaviour change tools. Couch to 5k is a running programme for absolute beginners. Active 10 App is a motivational tool for increasing your daily steps.
Resources
Get Yourself Active
Inclusive physical activity project transforming attitudes and perceptions towards disabled people and physical activity. Provides disabled people with empowering and supportive tools and resources.
Resources
Strength and Balance
Designed by leading experts in ageing and health. Incorporates CMO Guidelines for increasing strength and balance in the adult and older adult population. Printable take-home leaflets for adults and a follow-along YouTube exercise video. Provides signage for health and care settings to promote supported and self-led strength and balance activity.