Working together to help people get active in Hastings

Active Hastings are celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2026. The team offer a wide range of activities for residents of all ages, working to increase activity levels across the borough. Since 2022, a specialised role has been working with residents who have long-term health conditions to help them be more active. 

The GP Link Worker post was originally funded by Hastings and St Leonards Primary Care Network (PCN) through to 2026 and is delivered in partnership with Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council. The role bridges the gap between healthcare and community-based activity. 

Jas, the GP Link Worker, said: “Physical activity isn’t just about fitness. It’s a vital part of managing long-term health conditions. We see time and time again how the right support, at the right time, can help people regain confidence, reduce symptoms, and improve their overall quality of life. It’s about meeting people where they are and helping them take that first step.” 

Jas spends time out in the community, delivering talks and interactive sessions to groups and organisations to raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity, and encouraging people to get involved in the opportunities.  

She also works with people who are referred by their GP, social prescribers, healthcare professionals, community groups, or those who have self-referred. She provides tailored support, matching them with suitable activities and services. One of her success stories is working with a 56-year-old woman who was living with chronic back pain and starting to feel low and disconnected from activities she had previously enjoyed. Through chair-based yoga and water-based rehabilitation sessions, she is now able to enjoy regular yoga sessions and has improved her outlook on life and reduced her pain levels. 

Work has also been done to address local need – where there is a gap in provision of certain sessions, new ones have been introduced. This has included chair-based yoga, seated strength sessions, gym and circuit sessions for people with neurological conditions, additional walking football, yoga for men’s health. 

The key to this partnership programme is the simplified referral system, which enables health professionals to easily connect people with physical activity opportunities without needing detailed knowledge of every available service. 

Unlike many referral systems that direct individuals to a single activity or organisation, a referral to Active Hastings provides access to a wide range of physical activity opportunities across Hastings. This allows the Active Hastings GP Link Worker to identify the most appropriate activities for each patient based on their individual needs, interests, and circumstances. 

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, leader of the council, and lead councillor for sport and leisure, said: “Jas, our GP link worker, does an amazing job linking up all the different agencies who work with patients and residents, and getting the best health outcomes for them. If you have on-going health concerns, I’d encourage you to speak to your GP and see if there’s something out there that could help you.” 

Find out more here: https://www.hastings.gov.uk/sport_play/getactive/AH-case-studies/gp-linkworker-case-study/