Managing Existing Conditions

A medical condition can significantly impact your day-to-day life and the lives of your loved ones.

Every medical condition is unique and presents its challenges. That’s why our one-to-one support is personalised to suit you and your individual needs.

We can provide support and guidance to help you understand more about your condition and how you can manage it

effectively so that you can feel more in control and better able to cope.

Supporting NHS active recovery

We have been working closely with Trusts to develop perioperative, prehabilitation, and rehabilitation programmes for a variety of conditions, alongside specific targeted interventions as part of active recovery support.

Our work supports key ICS aims, such as Core20PLUS5—delivering services in areas of greatest need, including neighbourhoods classified as the lowest super output areas. We are a key provider of the Waiting Well programme across Newcastle and Northumberland, helping to improve perioperative care for patients with diabetes by enhancing glucose control, reducing complications, and positively impacting long-term health.

We continually explore opportunities to collaborate with universities, Public Health, the NHS, and other regional partners to support people with diagnosed conditions.

If you would like to find out more about how we can support you, please contact us.

Waiting Well

Waiting Well offers 12 weeks of free one-to-one support designed to improve overall health, helping individuals prepare for surgery, recover quickly, and reduce their time spent in the hospital.

Waiting Well services include:

• Health Improvement 12-Week Programme: A free, personalised 12-week Health Improvement Programme where participants receive one-on-one support to achieve their health goals. Whether managing Type 2 Diabetes, adopting healthier eating habits, losing weight, increasing physical activity, improving mental wellbeing, or quitting smoking, we provide tailored guidance to help clients succeed.​
• HealthWalks: A free weekly all-inclusive community health and well-being walk, designed to promote physical activity and social connection.​
• Next Steps: Designed as a continuation of the Staying Steady programme, Next Steps is a fun and inclusive exercise group suitable for individuals with various medical conditions. It offers an opportunity to maintain physical activity in a supportive environment.

ESCAPE-pain rehabilitation programme

ESCAPE pain stands for Enabling Self-management and Coping with Arthritic Pain using Exercise.

It is a free 6-week rehabilitation programme for individuals with long-term knee and/or hip arthritis, referred via TIMS (Tyneside Integrated Musculoskeletal Services). The programme is available in both Newcastle and Gateshead.

Each week includes two sessions, with each session made up of:

• 45 minutes of structured exercise, and

• 15 minutes of education focused on lifestyle improvements.

ESCAPE-Pain aims to support people in developing self-management skills and coping strategies to better manage symptoms.

We also offer a version of ESCAPE-Pain specifically for people with chronic back pain, again through referral by TIMS.

Through this programme, participants gain a better understanding of their condition, learn practical ways to help themselves, and take part in a progressive exercise plan designed to reduce pain and improve quality of life.

You can self-refer to the programme on the Tyneside Integrated Musculoskeletal Service (TIMS) website.

After reading through the information, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on ‘self-referral tool’.  TIMS will then be in touch for an assessment, and if you are eligible, you will be put onto the next local cohort!

Healthworks delivers ESCAPE pain at the following venues:

• Health Resource Centre, Benwell, NE4 8BE
• East End Pool, Byker, NE6 1AL
• Barmoor Hub, Ryton, NE40 3AG
• Felling Community Centre, Gateshead, NE10 0NF

Details of session days and times will be provided once you are referred.

Find out more about ESCAPE-pain

Visit Tyneside Integrated Musculoskeletal Service (TIMS) to refer yourself to this programme.

Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke rehabilitation sessions aim to help individuals regain as much independence and functionality as possible after a stroke.

Our sessions include physical activity to improve mobility, balance, and strength. Sessions are tailored to the individual’s needs and recovery stage. Early and consistent rehab is crucial for optimising recovery and enhancing the patient’s quality of life while reducing the risk of secondary strokes.

With sessions in the west and east of Newcastle, please get in touch with us at [email protected]

You might also be interested in:

Staying Steady Programme

Find out more about our Staying Steady falls prevention programme and our other Getting Active services