Active Fenland

To support Fenland to get more active and lead healthier lifestyles

Active Fenland promotes and provides informal and fun sport and physical activity sessions in community settings in Fenland. As well as promoting being active and living healthy lifestyles.

What's on

Active Fenland runs a range of activities across the district.

Latest details available by location here or click below to see the current timetable,

You can also visit the Active Fenland Facebook page for the latest updates.

About the sessions & booking

What to expect at an Active Fenland session?

It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or a regular exerciser - everyone is welcome!

Sessions are designed to be fun, social, and welcoming. Generally, sessions are based around being active rather than being competitive or skill based, making them ideal for beginners, returners or try it outers!

Why not come along and give them a try?

Other activities and sports

There are numerous sessions, sports and activities that take place across the district run by local sports clubs, instructors, facilities, and groups.

If you are looking for a specific activity, then it may already be running elsewhere in the district. Please get in touch and we may be able to signpost you.

Booking Information

Some Active Fenland sessions require booking in advance, whilst others may be 'Turn up & Play' sessions.

To make an Active Fenland booking please complete our online form.

Prior to completing our online booking form, please note the following:

A participant booking is not confirmed until all details are provided, payment is received, and the booking is confirmed.
Please do not attend the session without this confirmation.
Please allow time for the booking process. Unfortunately, last minute bookings may not be processed in time.
Out of hour bookings will not be processed until the next working day.

For more booking information, please see our Active Fenland Booking Information (PDF) [105KB]

About Active Fenland

Active Fenland launched in June 2015 with Sport England funding, working in conjunction with Fenland District Council. Our projects aim to encourage our local community to lead more physically active and healthier lifestyles.

Since its launch, it has transformed the lives of hundreds of inactive people to take their first step towards physical exercise, who go on to create healthy habits for life.

The Council welcomes anyone who wishes to be more active and we have a wide selection of active sessions to cater for a variety of needs and interests.

Current Programmes

Ramblers Wellbeing Walks

The Ramblers Wellbeing Walks is a national scheme, for which Active Fenland are the local coordinators for Fenland. The Wellbeing Walks are short, friendly, and welcoming walks which allow you to get active outdoors, at your own pace but in the company of other like-minded individuals.

The walks are led by volunteer walk leaders who are always welcoming, chatty and interested in meeting new people - they are also always there to lend a hand to you, be that slowing a walk down to meet a certain pace, or just being a friendly face to chat to.

The walks last a maximum of 90 minutes, but often average around 30-40 minutes, and are set over good terrain to aid accessibility. Walks with good terrain and paths are accessible for mobility scooters, wheelchairs, and buggies. This is highlighted in the walk description.

All walks are free and everyone is welcome. Under 18s are welcome with a responsible adult.

You do not need to pre-book your wellbeing walk place, and can simply turn up on the day to join a walk. However, to enable being added to the register please sign up to the Ramblers as a Wellbeing Walker, this is free to do and only needs to be completed once.

You can do this online on the Ramblers website (opens new window). This can be done on paper, please ask the volunteer walk leader for a walker sign up form, returning it to the walk leader once completed.

Walks do not go ahead in bad weather. Any cancellations are added to the Ramblers Wellbeing Walk description page for that walk, and on the Active Fenland Facebook page.

For more information on the Ramblers Wellbeing Walks or to find a local walk please visit the Ramblers website (opens new window). More information can also be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Please note that new walks will be added as they launch on the local Cambridgeshire and Peterborough webpage. You can find this on the Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Cambridgeshire and Peterborough website.

Could you be the next Ramblers Walk Leader?

Our Wellbeing Walks wouldn't exist without our fantastic Volunteer Walk Leaders!

We are always looking for more passionate walk leaders to be able to lead walks in their local community, town or village.

If you are a friendly, approachable, motivated, patient and a reliable individual with a passion for walking and strong communication skills, you could be the perfect volunteer walk leader.

Training to become a Walk Leader is free, and you can choose when, where and how often your walk takes place. Support along the way will also be available with local Active Fenland co-ordinators.

What are the benefits of being a Volunteer Walk Leader?

The satisfaction from helping others to access and enjoy the benefits of walking locally. Being part of a national wellbeing scheme with the Ramblers as well as an active member of the more local scheme. Free training and access to resources to aid your walks and of course the benefits of walking and meeting new people!

For more information or to register your interest in being a Volunteer Walk Leader please get in touch.

Healthy Lifestyle Programmes

These community programmes are ideal for those wanting to take some steps towards a healthier lifestyle. The programmes consist of a weekly community level activity session to help increase physical activity levels, and receive a participant booklet which contains information, resources and a weekly lifestyle challenge around healthy eating or wellbeing. Each week complete the challenge for small steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

The eligibility for the sessions is:

Aged 18+
If you currently undertake less than 30 minutes pf physical activity a week
And/or if you have a BMI of 25 or over, or consider yourself to be overweight

Please note these programmes are community level only and are not clinical or medical programmes. If you have any medical or clinical needs then please speak to your GP about other local services that may be available to you via referral. Find out more about the available sessions in our Active Fenland Timetable

Wellbeing Programmes

These sessions are designed to help boost mental wellbeing. This could be through a session designed for mental wellbeing or mindfulness or an active class to help boost activity levels and have fun. These classes are social and are designed for all abilities, especially beginners.

Find out more about the available sessions in our Active Fenland Timetable

Activities for those later in life & older adults

Love to Move

Love to Move is a dementia friendly seated movement class. Designed for those with limited mobility. These classes are social, fun, and nostalgic using music to help increase movement, strength, fine motor movements and also brain function. These classes are not just for those who have been diagnosed with dementia. If participants have carers, then carers are required to stay but can choose to either join in or to sit and have a cuppa and chat for their own wellbeing.

For more details on what Love to Move entails please see the British Gymnastics website (opens new window).

Forever Fit & Tea Dances

These sessions have been started off the back of the Covid-19 lockdowns to help decrease social isolation for those in later life and older adults. These sessions are a great way to meet new people whilst benefiting from some physical activity too.

Forever Fit

A session designed for those who would like to try a number of different activities in a social group. Here activities include new age kurling, table tennis, badminton, mini tennis, and more. Plus get a free hot drink after to enjoy and carry on chatting with the group. This session is inclusive and not based on skill, but just having fun, all abilities welcome.

Tea Dance Events

Active Fenland have recently been running tea dance events in the districts towns. With a qualified dance teacher to teach some steps as well as open dance floor time, whether you are a keen dancer or a beginner, or just wanting to enjoy the atmosphere with a cuppa this fun event is for you. Enjoy a hot drink and snacks too!

Pre-Fit & Re-Fit sessions - NEW

These sessions are designed to help individuals progress to build more strength, balance, flexibility to improve overall mobility later into life.

Where individuals are in terms of their current health and mobility will depend on what level they start at, with the aim of progressing to a higher level and beyond.

Find a copy of the leaflet which outlines the different classes, with inclusion criteria here: Pre-Fit and Re-Fit Leaflet (PDF) [220KB]

Get in touch for support or questions on any of the classes, and to book your place.

Re-Fit (Level 5)

Sessions to build strength, balance, stamina and suppleness for increased confidence to become more active.

If you have been less steady on your feet or are worried about falling and struggling with balance, relying on support or aids more than you used to and perhaps avoid going to places because you are becoming less confident then this class is for you.

Exercises include strengthening exercises (standing and seated options), balance exercises and exercises for increased confidence and to teach ability for more challenging activities, such as getting up from the floor.

Active Fenland does not currently have any Re-Fit classes but are looking to in the future. If you are interested then please get in touch as other classes may be able to be adapted for you.

Pre-Fit (Level 4)

Activity sessions to build fitness and confidence to take on new challenges in life.

If you have noticed yourself limiting your activity or you have stopped doing the things you used to do because they are getting more challenging, these classes are for you.

With exercises to help strengthen muscles and bones, help with co-ordination, endurance for stamina and flexibility for suppleness. Plus with tailored guidance and exercise plans to help reach individual goals.

Strength & Balance (Level 3)

If you are concerned about falling and are avoiding doing everyday activities or relying on help because you are worried about losing balance, then this class is for you.

These classes are chair based with supported standing exercises and are designed to improve strength & balance. They are great way to help improve confidence, to help reduce risk of falling and to increase mobility for increased independence. Exercise alternatives can be introduced for those with lower mobility who struggle to stand unaided.

Active @ Home Booklet

If you are not ready to join a class or are unable to access one then Active Fenland have an Active @ Home booklet to help build strength, balance and flexibility. As an aid to increased mobility and independence. This is a Level 3 Strength and Balance booklet requiring some seated and some supported standing exercises.

If you would like to receive a copy by post, please get in touch.

Yoga

Beginner, intermediate and also a gentle yoga session designed for those who may need a lower impact session. You can join on a chair if you are unable to get to the floor.

Yoga mats can be provided on request for free if needed.

Please see the timetable for dates and times.

Booking and payment is required for a block of yoga prior to attending. It may be possible to join part way through a block dependent on availability.

To book your place please complete our online booking form.

Junior & Family Activities

Junior Activities

Active Fenland run various junior and youth activities throughout the year including tennis and junior running. Please check out our social media pages or timetable to keep up to date.

Family Activities

Active Fenland run various family activities, events and workshops throughout the year. Please check out our social media pages or timetable to keep up to date.

Treasure Hunts

Developed in partnership with Wisbech Reads and Cambridgeshire County Council, these Treasure Hunt activity sheets encourage kids to get out in their local park and explore!

Park Explorers Treasure Hunt (PDF) [1MB]
Rhymes Treasure Hunt - Chatteris & Whittlesey (PDF) [596KB]
Rhymes Treasure Hunt - Wisbech & March (PDF) [596KB]

Social Badminton

Turn up and play badminton sessions. These sessions are friendly, welcoming, social and for all abilities.

Equipment such as rackets and shuttlecocks are provided.

With a beginners/mixed ability session, intermediates, and ladies' session. The beginners/mixed ability and ladies sessions are based on being active and having fun rather than skill and ability.

All at the Hudson Leisure Centre, Wisbech.

£2 a session, payable to the Leisure Centre reception.

Health Referral & Physiotherapy Referral

Tailored support and expertise to those that require specialist exercise prescription to help manage an existing health condition and to improve health and lifestyle.

Health Referral - Ideal for conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, injuries, stress, anxiety, and depression.

Physio Referral - Ideal for conditions such as osteoporosis, previous muscle or joint injuries, osteoarthritis recovery from surgery and musculoskeletal conditions.

These programmes are run by Freedom Leisure in the market town Leisure Centres:

The Hudson - Wisbech
The George Campbell - March
The Manor - Whittlesey
Chatteris Leisure Centre - Chatteris

Please speak to your GP, health professional or physiotherapy department to see if you are eligible for either scheme and to make a referral.

Find out more on the Freedom Leisure website.

Online Content

Active Fenland has a range of free content available on the Active Fenland YouTube channel.

Find over 40 sessions of yoga with various themes, or beginner HIIT and bootcamp sessions.

Please ensure the workout is at the right level for you and follow the disclaimer. If you have any health concerns that may be affected by starting a new form of physical activity, or if you are pregnant, please seek professional medical advice before taking part. Always make sure you have a large enough, clear, safe, and flat surface to complete the activity on.

Visit the Active Fenland YouTube channel.

Contact Active Fenland

For bookings and enquiries, please email activefenlandbookings@fenland.gov.uk or call 07874 893316 or 07592 774656

Office hours only, Mon-Fri- please leave a message with a name and contact telephone number.

Keep up to date with Active Fenland

Find and follow Active Fenland on social media for the most up to date sessions, events, information, and shared resources and messaging around activity and healthy lifestyles.

Facebook: Active Fenland
Instagram: ActiveFenland