Participant experiences of an exercise referral scheme in England: The importance of measuring social value

Harrison, R ORCID: 0000-0002-0774-6425, Porcellato, L ORCID: 0000-0002-8656-299X, Watson, PM, McCoy, E and Timpson, H ORCID: 0000-0002-5266-6715 (2025) Participant experiences of an exercise referral scheme in England: The importance of measuring social value. Health Education Journal, 85 (2). pp. 200-214. ISSN 0017-8969

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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.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Behaviour change; community; outcomes; physical activity; social value; wellbeing; 4203 Health Services and Systems; 4206 Public Health; 42 Health Sciences; Clinical Research; Behavioral and Social Science; Basic Behavioral and Social Science; Prevention; Social Determinants of Health; Physical Activity; Mental Health; 3.1 Primary prevention interventions to modify behaviours or promote wellbeing; 7.1 Individual care needs; Generic health relevance; 3 Good Health and Well Being; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy; Public Health; 3901 Curriculum and pedagogy; 4206 Public health
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine
Divisions:	Nursing, Public and Allied Health
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Date of acceptance:	22 October 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	21 September 2026
Date Deposited:	21 Sep 2026 14:10
Last Modified:	21 Sep 2026 14:10
DOI or ID number:	10.1177/00178969251395973
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29488

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