Care England Report Highlights Transformative Impact of Physical Activity in Care Homes.

A new report published by Care England, the largest and most diverse representative body for independent adult social care providers in England, shines a spotlight on how regular, inclusive physical activity is improving the health, confidence, and well-being of older adults in care homes, and could deliver savings of up to £96 million to the NHS.

The findings are based on a nearly year-long partnership between Be Great Fitness and Tanglewood Care Homes, where weekly seated exercise sessions have been delivered to residents since August 2024. These sessions, tailored for accessibility, have led to increased mobility, emotional resilience, reduced isolation, and stronger relationships between residents and staff.

The report shares powerful resident stories, including individuals recovering from strokes, coping with visual impairments, or living with dementia, all of whom experienced noticeable benefits from the consistent, low-impact group sessions, which makes the following recommendations:

To read the full report, please click here.

1. Recognise Physical Activity as Essential, Not Optional, in Adult Social Care

2. Support Workforce Development Through Physical Activity Training

3. Empower GPs and social prescribers to refer care home residents to in-house exercise programmes and commission delivery partners as part of the local health strategy

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, said:“ This report shows that movement in care is about far more than fitness. It restores purpose, dignity, and joy. We’ve seen residents reconnect with themselves and others through these sessions, and that is the true meaning of person-centred care, which also delivers a significant financial benefit to the NHS”.

Delivered by Baily Greetham-Clark, of Be Great Fitness, the programme uses music, colourful equipment, and engaging, seated routines to stimulate physical and cognitive health. Importantly, the sessions are collaborative, with care staff participating alongside residents, helping to create a vibrant, social environment.

Bailey Greetham-Clark, Founder of Be Great Fitness, said: Our goal has always been to meet people where they are. We’re not trying to push perfection; we celebrate every bit of progress, every smile, every moment of connection. These sessions prove that even small movements can have a big impact on someone’s confidence and well-being.”

Daniel Rowark, Chief Executive at Tanglewood Care Homes, added: What we’ve seen across our homes is incredible. Residents are not only more active, but also more sociable, more engaged, and more positive. These sessions have brought our teams and residents closer together, and we’re proud to see the difference this collaboration has made.”

The report also highlights how physical activity has supported cognitive stimulation, particularly through the use of colour-coded equipment, and created informal opportunities for early identification of health changes. Additionally, the presence of trusted instructors, familiar routines, and shared humour has helped residents feel safe, included, and motivated to participate week after week.

By embedding physical activity into everyday life, the Be Great Fitness and Tanglewood partnership demonstrates how care homes can improve both quality of life and care culture, not through radical change, but through consistent, compassionate movement.

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To read the full report, please click here.