Training leads to rise in health professionals recognising the importance of physical activity conversations

Health professionals across Hampshire and Isle of Wight are feeling more confident to discuss and promote physical activity as part of their patient care thanks to Physical Activity Clinical Champions Training.

• 95% of clinicians learnt something that will change their practice
• 91% now have good or advanced knowledge of how to promote physical activity
• 92% feel more motivated to promote physical activity to their patients.

Dr Rebecca Gould has seen a marked in rise professionals recognising the importance of having open, supportive conversations around physical activity, with 93% of the 152 clinicians trained so far this year saying they feel more supported to signpost resources to their patients.

Rebecca is the designated Physical Activity Champion for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Since April, she’s been supporting clinicians in having effective conversations with patients about​ physical activity, whether it’s part of a healthy lifestyle conversation, treatment pathway or management of a long-term condition.

As well as sharing knowledge on the benefits to patients’ health, the training guides clinicians on how to use effective phrasing and language to make discussions more positive and impactful. There’s also an emphasis on engaging patients who are initially resistant to activity​. All of this is designed to be applied in a clinical environment, aligning with the evidence that even brief interventions by a health professional can help change the behaviour of a patient.

A phenomenal 95% of attendees in 2025 have told us they learned something that will change their practice, from the training.

The training is available and suitable for anyone working in the NHS primary care, secondary care, community care or mental health settings.

Rebecca is available to deliver bespoke face-to-face or online PACC training for groups of 12 or more HCPs. Alternatively, open online sessions run approximately every 3 months with dates for 2026 to be added shortly

You can contact Rebecca directly rebecca.gould11@nhs.net

Or follow Energise Me in Eventbrite to be notified of the next available sessions

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/physical-activity-clinical-champions-training-hampshire-and-isle-of-wight-tickets-1479918529159?aff=EnergiseMe

The Place Based Physical Activity Clinical Champions role is a joint initiative between Energise Me, Hampshire County Council and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board.

Physical activity is essential to health and wellbeing, yet many people do not receive the support they need to stay active. There is overwhelming evidence that the benefits of physical activity far outweigh any risks, for both adults and children and even for those with health conditions. Embedding physical activity into every aspect of life-long healthcare will benefit patients, NHS staff and the wider population.

The place based role is part of the national Physical Activity Clinical Champion programme funded by Sport England and run by a consortium consisting of The Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK and Intelligent Health.

Rebecca is a Sport and Exercise Medicine Consultant, has previously worked as a GP, and has been involved in the development of several Moving Medicine resources, as well as speaking nationally and internationally on the role of physical activity in long-term health conditions.

*Data from post training participant survey coordinated by national Physical Activity Clinical Champion team.