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Participant Experiences of an Exercise Referral Scheme in England: The Importance of Measuring Social Value

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Title: Participant Experiences of an Exercise Referral Scheme in England: The Importance of Measuring Social Value
Language: English
Authors: Rebecca Harrison (ORCID 0000-0002-0774-6425), Lorna Porcellato (ORCID 0000-0002-8656-299X), Paula M. Watson (ORCID 0000-0003-1575-246X), Ellie McCoy (ORCID 0000-0002-8256-7902), Hannah Timpson (ORCID 0000-0002-5266-6715)
Source: Health Education Journal. 2026 85(2):200-214.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Exercise, Program Effectiveness, Value Judgment, Barriers, Affordances, Foreign Countries, Behavior Change, Health Behavior, Physical Activity Level, Well Being, Referral, Health Promotion, Adults, Physical Health, Mental Health, Interpersonal Relationship
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom (England)
DOI: 10.1177/00178969251395973
ISSN: 0017-8969
1748-8176
Abstract: Background: Exercise referral schemes are widely perceived to generate health and wellbeing benefits for individuals with, or at risk of, health problems. Understanding the social value of exercise referral schemes -- in terms of factors that influence service user engagement and experiences of attending an exercise referral scheme -- is important to foster positive change and improve decision-making. Methods: A social value approach was adopted to qualitatively explore experiences of engaging with an exercise referral scheme in one local authority in the North-West of England. Thirty-five service users (men=21, women=14) took part in focus groups (n=5), paired interviews (n=1) or individual interviews (n=5). Data were thematically analysed to explore the perceived benefits (i.e. outcomes) of the exercise referral scheme when compared to the costs (i.e. barriers, inconveniences), and the extent to which participants attribute the benefits to the exercise referral scheme. Results: Findings were explored through two key social value areas: outcomes -- personal-emotional, physical and social outcomes (both positive and negative, intended and unintended); and attribution and maintenance of change. Participants reported improved physical, mental and social health and were motivated by a sense of community spirit and camaraderie. They expressed the desire to continue attending exercise referral scheme sessions and maintain the changes experienced. Conclusion: The benefits of attending the exercise referral scheme were experienced beyond physical health to wellbeing on a personal-emotional and social level. Programmes should explore the inclusion of social value measurement in the longer term to provide services that are responsive to change, meet the needs of their communities and have tangible, measurable impacts.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1499930
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Participant Experiences of an Exercise Referral Scheme in England: The Importance of Measuring Social Value
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rebecca+Harrison%22">Rebecca Harrison</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0774-6425">0000-0002-0774-6425</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lorna+Porcellato%22">Lorna Porcellato</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8656-299X">0000-0002-8656-299X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Paula+M%2E+Watson%22">Paula M. Watson</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1575-246X">0000-0003-1575-246X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ellie+McCoy%22">Ellie McCoy</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8256-7902">0000-0002-8256-7902</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hannah+Timpson%22">Hannah Timpson</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5266-6715">0000-0002-5266-6715</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Health+Education+Journal%22"><i>Health Education Journal</i></searchLink>. 2026 85(2):200-214.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 15
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Exercise%22">Exercise</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Value+Judgment%22">Value Judgment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Affordances%22">Affordances</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Behavior+Change%22">Behavior Change</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Health+Behavior%22">Health Behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physical+Activity+Level%22">Physical Activity Level</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Well+Being%22">Well Being</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Referral%22">Referral</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Health+Promotion%22">Health Promotion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adults%22">Adults</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physical+Health%22">Physical Health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+Health%22">Mental Health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+Relationship%22">Interpersonal Relationship</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom+%28England%29%22">United Kingdom (England)</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1177/00178969251395973
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 0017-8969<br />1748-8176
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Exercise referral schemes are widely perceived to generate health and wellbeing benefits for individuals with, or at risk of, health problems. Understanding the social value of exercise referral schemes -- in terms of factors that influence service user engagement and experiences of attending an exercise referral scheme -- is important to foster positive change and improve decision-making. Methods: A social value approach was adopted to qualitatively explore experiences of engaging with an exercise referral scheme in one local authority in the North-West of England. Thirty-five service users (men=21, women=14) took part in focus groups (n=5), paired interviews (n=1) or individual interviews (n=5). Data were thematically analysed to explore the perceived benefits (i.e. outcomes) of the exercise referral scheme when compared to the costs (i.e. barriers, inconveniences), and the extent to which participants attribute the benefits to the exercise referral scheme. Results: Findings were explored through two key social value areas: outcomes -- personal-emotional, physical and social outcomes (both positive and negative, intended and unintended); and attribution and maintenance of change. Participants reported improved physical, mental and social health and were motivated by a sense of community spirit and camaraderie. They expressed the desire to continue attending exercise referral scheme sessions and maintain the changes experienced. Conclusion: The benefits of attending the exercise referral scheme were experienced beyond physical health to wellbeing on a personal-emotional and social level. Programmes should explore the inclusion of social value measurement in the longer term to provide services that are responsive to change, meet the needs of their communities and have tangible, measurable impacts.
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  Data: 2026
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      – SubjectFull: Exercise
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program Effectiveness
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      – SubjectFull: Value Judgment
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      – SubjectFull: United Kingdom (England)
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