Free and low cost exercise and wellbeing - September 2024

Free 'Active for Health' sessions offer the chance for people who aren't currently exercising much to take part in 12 weeks of fitness sessions with others in a similar situation - and get a 90-day leisure centre pass. 

'Active for Health' courses are the latest offer in an ongoing programme of free and low-cost exercise and wellbeing sessions for all ages and abilities enabled by Fenland District Council's Active Fenland.

Session blocks beginning this month include adults' wellbeing dance and stretch - fun choreographed dance classes, kickboxing for wellbeing and free 'couch to 5k' running. Walking football, beginners badminton, dementia-friendly seated exercise and, for older people, multi-sports social sessions are among the other offers in the broad programme.

On this page:

• Free 'Active for Health' sessions for people who want to lose weight 
• Free adult Couch to 5K
• Adults 'Wellbeing Dance and Stretch'
• Walking football
• Kickboxing For Wellbeing
• How to sign up for Active Fenland sessions
• Full Active Fenland programme - September 2024
  • Chatteris
  • March
  • Whittlesey
  • Wisbech
  • Active Fenland in wider Fenland and at home

Image above: Free 'Active for Health' sessions are launching in March and Wisbech for people who want to lose weight and aren't exercising much.

Free 'Active for Health' sessions for people who want to lose weight 

'Active for Health' sessions are for adults (18 years and over) who:

• have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or over, or 23.5 and over in ethnic minorities (excluding white minorities). BMI can be checked with the online calculator at point of booking, AND
• are currently doing less than 30 minutes exercise per week.

The 55-minute sessions take place at:

• Hudson Leisure Centre, Wisbech, Mondays, 11.30am to 12.25pm, 2pm to 2.55pm, 4.45pm to 5.40pm, beginning September 16.
• George Campbell Leisure Centre, March, Tuesdays, 2pm to 2.55pm, 4pm to 4.55pm, 5pm to 5.55pm, beginning September 17.

Sign up for Active for Health at: Active for Health

Free Couch to 5K

Free Couch to 5K, for adults, is:

• Wednesdays, September 25 to November 27, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, meeting at March Athletic Club, Elm Road Sports Field, Elm Road, March PE15 0BH. Please bring a hi-vis top and running light.
• in Wisbech Tuesdays. Sessions are currently full. 

Sign up via: Active Fenland Bookings

Image above: The last March-based wellbeing dance and stretch (fun choreographed dance class) group. New sessions launch this month.

Adults 'Wellbeing Dance and Stretch'

Adults 'Wellbeing Dance and Stretch' fun dance and wellness stretching for beginners, is Tuesdays, from September 24 to December 17 (excluding October 29), 7pm to 8pm, £2.50 per session or £30 for the block, at Neale Wade Sports Centre, Wimblington Road, March, PE15 9PX. Sign up via: Active Fenland Bookings

Turn-up and play walking football

Turn-up and play walking football, Fridays, 7pm to 8pm, £2, at Hudson Leisure Centre, Harecroft Road, Wisbech. Pay at the leisure centre.

Kickboxing For Wellbeing

Kickboxing For Wellbeing', is Saturdays, from October 12 to December 21 (excluding November 23), 9.30am to 10.30am, at RKA Kickboxing Academy, Unit C4, Enterprise Park, March, PE15 0BD. For people aged 16 plus. £25 for twn-week block. Sign up via: Active Fenland Bookings

How to sign up for Active Fenland sessions

Except where stated, sign up for Active Fenland sessions via: Active Fenland session booking page. Places are confirmed by email when payment will be arranged too.

If sessions are fully booked, you'll be placed on a waiting list and notified by email if a place becomes available.

Registering in advance for Ramblers Wellbeing Walks is preferred but you can just turn up. Register at Sign up for Ramblers wellbeing walk

Full Active Fenland programme - September 2024:

Chatteris

• Free Chatteris Wellbeing Walk, Tuesdays, 1.45pm from Chatteris Library, Furrowfields Road, PE16 6DY. Walk of around 45 minutes, variable but usually slower pace. Tea/coffee available afterwards in the library.
• Free dementia friendly 'Love to Move' class Thursdays, 11am to 12.30pm, at King Edward Community Centre, King Edward Road, Chatteris PE16 6NG. No need to book.
• Strength and Balance classes for people who have or are losing confidence in their balance or fear falling. Fridays, 11.30am to 12.30pm, £2.50 per session, at Chatteris Leisure Centre, Eastwood, Chatteris, PE16 6FN. Book and pay at the leisure centre.
• 'Pre-fit' activity sessions for people who have noticed they are limiting their activity or have stopped doing things because they are getting more challenging. Wednesdays, 11.30am to 1pm, £3 per session, at Chatteris Leisure Centre, Eastwood, Chatteris, PE16 6FN. Book and pay at leisure centre.
• Returning in October: Free Chatteris Pocket Park Wellbeing Walk, first Sunday of the month, 10am, from outside The Sportsman, Fairway, PE16 6ST. Walk of 45 - 60 minutes.

March

• Free 'Active for Health' sessions for people who want to lose weight, Tuesdays, 2pm to 2.55pm, 4pm to 4.55pm, 5pm to 5.55pm, beginning September 17, at George Campbell Leisure Centre, March. Apply via: Active for Health
• Cardiac rehab sessions for people with a Phase 3 cardiac rehab team or medical professional referral. Mondays, 1.45pm to 3.30pm, £3 per session, at George Campbell Leisure Centre, City Road, March, PE15 9LT. Book and pay at leisure centre.
• Free dementia friendly 'Love to Move' class Tuesdays, 11am to 12.30pm, at March Braza Club, Elm Road, PE15 8NZ. No need to book.
• Free March Riverside Wellbeing Walk, Tuesdays, 1.30pm from March Library, City Road, March, PE15 9LT. Around an hour, variable yet usually moderate pace. Tea/coffee available afterwards in the library.
• Free 'Grandparent and Grandchild Wellbeing Walk', first Friday of the month, sets off at 9.15am from outside March library, City Road, March, PE15 9LT.
• Adults 'Wellbeing Dance and Stretch' fun choreographed dance and wellness stretching for beginners, Tuesdays, September 17 to December 17 (excluding October 29), 7pm to 8pm, £2.50 per session or £32.50 for the block, at Neale Wade Sports Centre, Wimblington Road, March, PE15 9PX. Sign up via: Active Fenland Bookings
• 'Pre-fit' activity sessions for people who have noticed they are limiting their activity or have stopped doing the things because they are getting more challenging. Wednesdays, 2pm to 3.30pm. £3 per session, at George Campbell Leisure Centre, City Road, PE15 9LT. Book and pay at leisure centre.
• 'Kickboxing For Wellbeing', Saturdays, October 12 to December 21 (excluding November 23), 9.30am to 10.30am, at RKA Kickboxing Academy, Unit C4, Enterprise Park, March, PE15 0BD. For people aged 16 plus. £25 for ten-week block. Sign up via: Active Fenland Bookings
• Free Couch to 5K, Wednesdays, September 25 to November 27, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, meeting at March Athletic Club, Elm Road Sports Field, Elm Road, March PE15 0BH. Please bring a hi-vis top and running light. Sign up via: Active Fenland Bookings
• Find Parkrun events

Whittlesey

• Cardiac rehab sessions for people with a Phase 4 cardiac rehab team or medical professional referral. Thursdays, 1.15pm to 3pm, £3 per session, at Manor Leisure Centre, Station Road, Whittlesey, PE7 1UA. Book and pay at leisure centre.
• Free Whittlesey Wellbeing Walk, every 2nd & 4th Monday of the month (excluding bank holidays), 10am from the Buttercross, Market Street, around an hour at variable but usually slower pace. Tea/coffee available afterwards in the library.
• Forever Fit - an hour of circulating around different sports such as new age kurling, table tennis and badminton and have an included drink and a chat too. At Manor Leisure Centre, Station Road, Whittlesey PE7 1UA, until September 3, then switching to St Andrew's Parish Hall, 5 Parkinson's Lane, Whittlesey PE7 1BZ, from September 10. Tuesdays, 12.30pm to 1.30pm, £2 per person. For classes from September 10, sign up via the Active Fenland Bookings. Prior to that book and pay at the leisure centre.
• Strength and Balance classes for people who have or are losing confidence in their balance or fear falling. Fridays, 11.30am to 12.30pm, £2.50 per session, at Manor Leisure Centre, Station Road, Whittlesey PE7 1UA. Book and pay at the leisure centre.
• 'Pre-fit' activity sessions for people who have noticed they are limiting their activity or have stopped doing things because they are getting more challenging. Tuesdays, 10am to 11.30am, £3 per session at Manor Leisure Centre, Station Road, Whittlesey PE7 1UA.  Book and pay at leisure centre.
• Find Parkrun events

Wisbech

• Free 'Active for Health' sessions for people who want to lose weight, Mondays, 11.30am to 12.55pm, 2pm to 2.55pm, 4.45pm to 5.40pm, beginning September 16, at Hudson Leisure Centre, Harecroft Road, Wisbech, Apply via:  Active for Health
• Free Wisbech Mindful Wellbeing Walk, Fridays, 10am from Wisbech Park Bandstand, around an hour at a variable but usually moderate pace.
• Strength and Balance classes for people who have or are losing confidence in their balance or fear falling, Tuesdays, 12.15pm to 1.15pm, at Wisbech Oasis Centre, St Michaels Avenue, PE13 3NR. Sign up via: Active Fenland Bookings
• 'Pre-fit' activity sessions for people who have noticed they are limiting their activity or have stopped doing the things because they are getting more challenging. Wednesdays, 2pm to 3.30pm, £3 per session, at Hudson Leisure Centre, Harecroft Road, Wisbech, PE13 1RL. Book and pay at leisure centre.
• Gentle yoga, Tuesdays, 2.15pm to 3.15pm, £30 for 12 weeks or £15 for six, at Wisbech Oasis Centre, St Michaels Avenue, PE13 3NR. Limited spaces left. Sign up via: Active Fenland Bookings
• Turn-up and play beginners badminton for everyone aged 16 plus, £2, Mondays, 6pm to 7pm, at Hudson Leisure Centre, Harecroft Road, Wisbech. Pay at the leisure centre.
• Turn-up and play walking football, Fridays, 7pm to 8pm, £2, at Hudson Leisure Centre, Harecroft Road, Wisbech. Pay at the leisure centre.
• Forever Fit - a chance to enjoy a variety of activities in one session in a social group and have an included drink and a chat too. Activities might include things like new age kurling, table tennis, badminton and mini golf. Tuesdays, 11.30am to 12.30pm, £2, at Hudson Leisure Centre, Harecroft Road, Wisbech, PE13 1RL. Pay at the leisure centre.
• Free 'couch to 5k', sessions currently full. 9.30am to 10.30am, Tuesdays, September 10 to November 26, meeting near the pavilion at Wisbech Park, Lynn Road, Wisbech PE13 3AB. Enjoy an optional drink afterwards in the new pavilion café, at your own cost. 
• Find Parkrun events

Active Fenland in wider Fenland and at home

Doddington

At Doddington Court, Benwick Road, Doddington, PE15 0WD (Sign up via the Active Fenland or at Doddington Court):

• Strength and Balance classes for people who have or are losing confidence in their balance or fear falling, Wednesdays, 11.15pm to 12.15pm, £30 for 12 weeks. Currently fully booked but a waiting list is being operated. Add your details to the waiting list via: Active Fenland Bookings
•  'Pre-fit' activity sessions for people who have noticed they are limiting their activity or have stopped doing things because they are getting more challenging. Wednesdays, 12.30pm to 2pm, £36 for 12 weeks.

Fenland

• Fenland Leisure Centres managed for Fenland District Council by Freedom Leisure provide packed events programmes in Chatteris, March, Whittlesey and Wisbech. Sign up via: Freedom Leisure

Free 'at home' sessions and fun Fenland treasure hunts

Find the Active Fenland timetable, 'active at home' booklets, family treasure hunt sheets, YouTube virtual sessions and more at: Active Fenland

Timetable

View the Active Fenland Active Fenland Timetable at Active Fenland

Keep up-to-date with Fenland District Council via Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and our newsletter The Fenlander Newsletter.

September 2024