Following the official launch of the national Physical Activity for Health (PAfH) Evaluation Report, localised results show that Wicklow Sports and Recreation Partnership has supported more than 400 people living with chronic illness to become more physically active. The evaluation highlights positive outcomes for participants, including increased physical activity, improved confidence, and greater community engagement.

Developed by Sport Ireland and funded by the Department of Health through Sláintecare and HSE Health and Wellbeing, the pilot initiative makes it easier for healthcare professionals to steer patients directly out of clinical settings and into safe, accessible, and supportive local exercise groups.

Led locally by Physical Activity for Health Officer Denise O’Shea since 2023, the Wicklow pilot has delivered 25 tailored programmes across the county. These local initiatives have directly supported a wide range of participants, including over 100 older adults actively managing chronic conditions and long-term health requirements. Tailored local programmes include:

• Woodlands for Health: A nature-based walking programme designed to improve mental health and physical wellbeing through structured activity on local forest trails.
• Chair Pilates for People with Chronic Pain and Arthritis: Gentle, low-impact sessions focusing on joint mobility and core strength.
• Phase 4 Cardiac Rehabilitation: Specialised exercise support helping individuals safely maintain their recovery after cardiac events.
• Strength and Balance: Targeted classes to improve stability, build functional fitness, and reduce the risk of falls in older adults.
• Prime Time of Life: A multimodal exercise and health education programme for adults aged 35 and over, focusing on functional ageing, nutrition, and managing clinical conditions.

Welcoming the evaluation, Sport Ireland Chief Executive Officer Dr Úna May highlighted that by working closely with health services, the Local Sports Partnerships are successfully reaching people who might never have otherwise found their way to a community physical activity programme.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Dr. Caroline Winstanley said, “The exceptional success of this project demonstrates the powerful role local government plays in directly enhancing the wellbeing of our people. By supporting residents with long-term illnesses to get active, restore their independence, and build meaningful friendships, Wicklow Sports and Recreation Partnership has delivered an invaluable resource for families across the county.”

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, commented, “This programme shows what's possible when health and community sectors work together. We've built a strong foundation that is already changing lives, and we're excited to see its reach and impact continue to grow.”

Aisling Hubbard, Coordinator of Wicklow Sports and Recreation Partnership, looked at the operational success, adding, “The rollout of this pilot represents a transformative shift in how we operate at a local level. Having a funded, dedicated Physical Activity for Health Officer to lead this initiative has been a complete game-changer. It has given us the protected time needed to cultivate deep trust with healthcare networks and build tailored groups. Our participants frequently share how these programmes have given them a renewed sense of purpose, with one local resident noting it completely changed their recovery journey after a severe knee injury.”

Nationally, the initiative engaged 4,615 unique participants across six pilot counties: Wicklow, Limerick, Longford, Mayo, Waterford, and Wexford. A key finding from the data shows that an exceptional 27% of all participants were referred to the programmes directly by a Healthcare Professional.

The evaluation highlights that this success was driven by a structured delivery model that successfully bridges the gap between health services and community sports, ultimately delivering measurable improvements in participants' physical health, mental wellbeing, and long-term recovery. Following these positive findings, it is anticipated that the initiative may be expanded nationally over time to build on these results.

The next phase of the initiative will focus on developing clearer regional signposting processes alongside an integrated feedback system to enable healthcare professionals to securely monitor participation.

Members of the public or healthcare providers looking to access upcoming local schedules are encouraged to visit the official local portal at www.wicklowlsp.ie/upcoming-events. To read the full national findings, the complete Physical Activity for Health Officer Pilot Evaluation report is available to download at www.sportireland.ie.