Reflective Practice

Integrating Physical Activity into NHS Talking Therapies

Published November 22, 2023 | Updated February 18, 2025

Introduction

I came into post in September 2022 and created a mapping exercise to identify key health partners within Tees Valley. I used my established connections to have preliminary meetings. In October 2022 I attended a meeting with Genna Rigby (High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and Long-Term Conditions Lead) from IMPACT on Teesside, the NHS Talking Therapies service covering Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Redcar.

I identified NHS Talking Therapies service as a main partner within the mental health sector. I was aware that one of the main priorities within TVS was to support individuals with LTC and mental health issues.

What was going on?

I attended several meetings with Genna and her colleague Paul (Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner and Long-Term Conditions Lead). Through these meetings I developed my knowledge of the services current offering, future plans and challenges they were facing.

Initial Plan:

Use assessments to gather information around physical activity levels and provide information around benefits and ways to increase activity levels.

Provide information to whole service around physical activity and encourage use of signposting materials and support like Moving Medicines consultation guides.

Develop physical activity intervention materials therapists can utilise within sessions to build physical activity into existing treatment.

Include information around physical activity into all course materials within core IMPACT service and the Recovery College.

Develop sessions or courses where physical activity is built in for example walk and talk sessions, yoga etc.

Outcomes:

I attended a team meeting to deliver information surrounding Tees Valley Sport, benefits of physical activity and how it can be utilised within sessions with clients to aid their therapy.

Linked Genna into the Flippin’ Pain campaign, she attended and sat on the expert panel at the event in February 2023.

Provided physical activity signposting which was added to the therapists signposting documents to be utilised within assessments and treatment.

Linked IMPACT with other partners including Everyone Active, SPA (specialist physical activity) Team, social prescribing teams and teams within South Tees hospital.

Genna connected me to Sarah, the perinatal pathway lead within IMPACT. Sarah was involved within the consultation process of the perinatal resources I created. I provided content around perinatal physical activity to be included within the course materials used within the service.

Future plans:

I intent to continue maintaining the relationship with IMPACT, ideally growing the building on the progress made thus far.

In October 2023 I started a partnership with County Durham and Darlington Talking Therapies service. The meetings have been very positive so far and I hope to develop a robust physical activity offering in collaboration.

Conversations have begun with County Durham and Darlington Talking Therapies, County Durham Sport and TVS to develop a working group. The intention is to invite IMPACT to collaborate, share learning and support in the integration of physical activity.

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