ACTIVE FUTURES FOUNDATION
a physical health and peer support programme to combat frailty and MSK conditions promoting strength, balance and independence in later life
Meeting twice a week for 12 weeks, our Active Futures Foundation programme is designed to enable participants to remain active and independent in their homes.
Join us in a safe environment while you learn about preventing falls and staying healthy as we age. Stay for a coffee and chat and enjoy some peer support from your fellow participants.
Are you:
- aged 65 and over?
- at risk of a fall or have fallen in the past?
- living in Wrexham, Flintshire or Denbighshire?
- nervous or anxious after a fall?
If you meet any of these criteria and are able to stand up from a chair as well as walk for 2 minutes with or without a walking aid, then you can self-refer yourself to our Active Futures programme.
£72 for all 12 weeks (£3 per session) which includes a drink and snack at Coffee & Connect after each class.
A choice of 5 locations:
Our next Active Futures Foundation cohort begins in July 2026. There are four locations to choose from with two classes each week. Please note that attendance at both classes for your location is mandatory to realise the full benefits of the Active Futures Foundation programme.
If you are interested in our Active Futures programme but are unable to start in July, then please contact us to join our waiting list for future cohorts.
Mondays 9:45am – 11am
Wednesdays 11am – 12:15pm
Mondays 12:15pm – 1:30pm
Wednesdays 2:30pm – 3:45pm
Mondays 1:10pm – 2:05pm
Thursdays 2pm – 3:15pm
Tuesdays 12:15pm – 1:30pm
Thursdays 10am – 11:15am
Tuesdays 2pm – 3:15pm
Fridays 11:30am – 12:45pm
Our physiotherapist led group exercise sessions promote:
muscle strength
balance
postural stability
flexibility
heart & lung function
musculo-skeletal conditions
social connections
Julia’s Story
Julia attended our Active Futures Foundation classes in Marchwiel. This is her story.
Derrick’s Story
Derrick was 87 years old when he attended the Active Futures programmes, is registered partially blind and lives alone.
Prior to starting Active Futures, Derrick had fallen in the past 12 weeks, was having issues with balance and mobility, and feeling concerned about falls.
“I was suffering with dizziness and sciatica and struggling to get into town, I was getting leg spasms after 10 minutes of standing.”
Results from Active Futures shows Derrick has made significant improvements:
- 160% increase in the distance of a 6 minute walk (from 145 meters to 385 meters)
- increase in back scratch by 15cm
- 350% increase in chair stands (from 4 to 18) in a 30 second test
“I got very good advice and physio at Active Futures….
walking and standing is much better now, I felt I was slurping myself along like a drunken man before, but it’s not like that anymore….
in May when my daughter and I went to Eastbourne, we were standing for quite a while and it spoiled it because I was in too much pain. I couldn’t appreciate it, but I could now, and I would be very happy to go again….
it’s been fantastic!”
Derrick
Impact & evaluation
The Active Futures pilot took place in 2022 with incredible results.
100% of participants improved during the programme not only decreasing the time they took to complete activities but also making significant improvements to their stamina, confidence, and overall feelings of wellbeing. All participants also reported a reduction in concerns and anxiety around falls and mobility.
The Social Return on Investment for the Active Futures programme is £1 : £9.37
Here are the results of the functional fitness test:
100% participants improved with an average of an additional 6 chair raises being performed, from 10 to 16 stands
91% of participants saw an improvement in reach. Average improvement by an additional reach in over 9cm
89% of participants improved their back scratch reach, with an average improvement of 8.6cm
100% participants were able to reduce their time taken to complete the test, with an average of 8.5 seconds improvement seen
100% of participants improved upon their time able to maintain a single leg stance, with an average increase of over 7 seconds.
100% participants increased their walking distance from baseline to follow up; average distance travelled increased by 105m.
In addition to physical improvements, participants also saw positive improvements in their mental health and wellbeing.
FOUNDATION OR ADVANCE – WHICH CLASS IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Active Futures – Foundation
Build Strength · Combat Frailty · Reduce Pain
The Foundation programme is a 12‑week, physiotherapist‑led strength and balance course designed for people who may be experiencing the effects of frailty, chronic pain, arthritis, reduced mobility, or concerns about falling.
This programme offers a safe, supportive starting point to help you rebuild confidence in your movement. Sessions focus on improving strength, balance, posture and stability, while helping to reduce pain and the risk of falls. You’ll receive pre‑ and post‑programme assessments, expert guidance from a physiotherapist, and tailored exercises that meet you where you are.
Foundation is ideal if you:
- Feel less steady on your feet
- Are living with pain, arthritis or a long‑term condition
- Have fallen before or worry about falling
- Are returning to activity after illness, injury or surgery
The programme also includes time to connect socially over a coffee, helping to build confidence, motivation and peer support alongside physical progress.
Active Futures – Advance
Build Strength · Improve Fitness
The Advance class is the next step once you’re feeling stronger, more confident and able to move more freely. It is a progressive, community‑based exercise class designed to help you maintain and build on the gains made in Foundation, or for those who are already relatively active and looking to improve fitness.
Advance focuses more on overall fitness, muscle strength, flexibility and stamina, helping you stay strong, independent and well enough to keep doing the things you love – whether that’s gardening, walking, travelling or keeping up with family.
Advance is ideal if you:
- Have completed the Active Futures Foundation programme
- Feel confident with basic strength and balance exercises
- Want to improve fitness and stay active long‑term
- Are looking for ongoing motivation and social connection
Sessions are fun, welcoming and social, with a strong emphasis on healthy ageing, independence and wellbeing.
In short
- Foundation helps you rebuild strength, confidence and stability if frailty, pain or falls are a concern.
- Advance helps you progress further, improving fitness and keeping you strong for everyday life.
Together, they offer a clear pathway from rebuilding confidence to staying active for life.
