Wiltshire’s GP referral clients delighted

Wiltshire’s GP referral clients delighted by at-home exercise videos

A member of staff from our Wiltshire contract is receiving plenty of positive feedback for the home exercise videos he and his son have created to help people missing their usual exercise programmes while our centres are closed.

Richard Latham’s role as the Active Health Referral Coordinator for West Wiltshire means that he normally works in partnership between Places Leisure and Wiltshire Council, supporting those referred for exercise by GPs and other healthcare professionals. The majority of his clients are of retirement age, and are the more vulnerable people in isolation.

With this in mind, Richard and his 17-year-old son, Mace, filmed two home exercise videos to ensure referred patients are still able to manage their health conditions while leisure centres are temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first video has been viewed over 1,650 times since it was published on YouTube at the end of March; the second one has had 250 views within days of being uploaded last week.

You can view them below.

For more gentle mobility exercises for people with long-term health conditions or who are over 70, check out our home based mobility exercise blog.

Richard’s clients are delighted to have the opportunity to keep active while isolating, sending their thanks to him personally:

“Well done on the great work and thank you. I had been missing the classes and the online workout is a welcome addition to keep me occupied during these long days.” Louise

“Just a quick thank you for this very helpful workout video. I find playing the video clip whilst exercising much more motivating and encouraging, so thank you and Mace for producing this workout aid to keep us all 'moving' in these strange times.” Pat

Since joining the Health and Fitness industry in 1996, Richard has helped thousands of Wiltshire residents improve their health and achieve their exercise goals. Coupled with Level 4 Specialist qualifications in Cardiac, Stroke, Respiratory and Cancer rehabilitation, Richard has an extensive knowledge of exercise and can work with people at all levels of fitness and ability, whatever their goals. He is the winner of the 2015 National ukactive Industry Award for “Most inspiring physical activity professional”.