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Lauren Duffy, a high intensity CBT therapist and Khy Cyrus, a senior healthy lifestyles specialist run the sessions at Total Wellbeing Luton.
health,’ says Dr Musgrove.‘ There are many schemes through social prescribing that allow people to take part in exercise as well as other activities such as volunteering, arts and gardening. It’ s important that people who use substances are able to access these services as they often face barriers relating to health, finance and stigma.’
GETTING CONNECTED The Get Connected programme is currently run in Turning Point services in Wakefield and central London, with plans to expand it to other services around the country. The programme gives people in various stages of their journeys the opportunity to take part in a wide range of scheduled activities throughout the week, such as going for walks, yoga, arts and crafts, football, cricket, tennis and boxing.
Olivia Ager, Get Connected team leader in Wakefield, believes the programme gives people the platform to integrate into society and also builds on
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the five ways to wellbeing – connect, be active, take notice, keep learning, and give.‘ The physical activities we do are about bringing people together and giving them the chance to try something new and occupy their time with positive activities,’ she states.‘ Whether it’ s going for a walk or bowling or playing football, no matter what it is, it gives people the opportunity to go out with like-minded people, build their social capital, their recovery capital, and really develop into the person they want to be.’
There are currently 120 people on the Get Connected programme in Wakefield.‘ Although we recognise it’ s an underpinned benefit from the work we do, the programme is not necessarily recovery focused,’ says Olivia.‘ We’ re not focusing on the idea that it’ s purely to help with a person’ s sobriety – we want them to feel that they’ re doing this activity because they enjoy it, and not as a distraction technique. We have people who started doing an activity, really enjoyed it and proceeded to go and do it in their own time – that’ s what we want to encourage people to do.’
Rather than regarding it as‘ something they have to do because they use substances, we
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want them to see the positives and the dopamine effect these activities create and continue to build on it’, she continues.‘ It’ s about connecting people to positive activities, positive communities and building on an individual’ s overall wellbeing.’
POWER OF THE MIND At Turning Point’ s Talking Therapies Wakefield and Total Wellbeing Luton services, we’ ve recently launched programmes
‘ Exercise is a natural antidepressant for many people – accessible, adaptable, and a meaningful part of a holistic recovery plan.’
that combine exercise and therapy. Power of the Mind: Feel Better Through Movement is a six-week programme designed to support individuals experiencing low mood or symptoms of depression. It combines gentle physical activity with CBT-informed psychological support.
The programme was created for people who are struggling with their mental health but might also feel anxious about traditional exercise environments, and need structured, compassionate support to reintroduce movement into their lives. By addressing both the physical and psychological barriers to activity, the course helps
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participants understand the powerful relationship between movement, thoughts and mood, empowering them to take manageable steps towards improved wellbeing and long term lifestyle change.
The Luton programme is run by Lauren Duffy, a level 4 exercise and mental health specialist.‘ When combined with CBT skills, physical activity becomes a powerful two-part approach – supporting both the body’ s energy and the mind’ s patterns,’ she says.‘ Exercise is a natural antidepressant for many people – accessible, adaptable, and a meaningful part of a holistic recovery plan. Physical movement strengthens not only muscles but also resilience. It creates space for hope, clarity, and emotional recovery.’
CONFIDENCE BOOST One woman on the programme said she’ s seen an improvement in her physical and mental wellbeing.‘ The exercise programme has given me more confidence, improved my mental health and I’ ve learnt new exercises that have helped me to achieve my goals,’ she stated.‘ I’ m now motivated to continue to maintain and improve my fitness level, and have also been sleeping better too.’
By incorporating exercise into treatment and recovery programmes, drug and alcohol services will give individuals the opportunity to experience numerous benefits that contribute to their overall wellbeing. From reducing cravings to improving mental health, exercise is a valuable component in the journey towards a healthier and addiction-free life.
Nat Travis is director of services at Turning Point
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MAY 2026 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • 17 |