We’re pleased to offer residents, children and families with pre-existing medical conditions subsidised gym memberships to improve their physical activity levels.
To access the subsidised membership scheme, residents will first need to consult a registered healthcare professional, their general practitioner (GP), social prescriber, physiotherapist or dietician.
Eligible residents will receive a subsidised membership for 9 months, with the first 3 months being free. They will have access to all 4 leisure centres in the Epping Forest district, run by Places Leisure. The scheme will run from February 2026 to March 2027.
Who can use the scheme
Residents living in any of below areas of the Epping Forest district:
- Limes Farm in Chigwell
- Debden Broadway or Oakwood Hill in Loughton
- Ninefields in Waltham Abbey
Or are on one or more benefits and with one or more of the following conditions:
- High blood pressure
- High fasting blood glucose
- High systolic blood pressure
- High BMI
- High LDL cholesterol
- Diagnosed mental health condition
Children and young people under 18 living anywhere in district with one of the following conditions:
- Referred on to weight management programme
- High BMI
- Diagnosed mental health condition
Healthier lifestyle choices
I would strongly urge anyone that meets the conditions to contact their registered health care professional and asked to be signed up to the healthy behaviours scheme.
As a GP myself, I’m passionate about motivating people to make healthier lifestyle choices to improve their quality of life, and ultimately to reduce the long-term costs associated with preventable illnesses like obesity and heart disease.
Councillor Kaz Rizvi, responsible for Community, health and wellbeing
Funding
This has been made possible thanks to a successful funding bid of £28,000 from Essex County Council and Active Essex. The funding supports Essex County Councils strategic ambition to promote and embed healthy behaviours at the neighbourhood level. It also supports our aim of supporting residents to increase their physical activity levels and improving equal access to opportunities.
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