| Greater Manchester Moving

The Active Practice Charter is a initiative from The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) and Sport England to inspire and celebrate GP practices that commit to increasing activity and reducing sedentary behaviour in staff and patients.

One in four people saying they would be more active if it was recommended by a GP or nurse and Greater Manchester Moving want to support more GP practices throughout the city region to join our movement and become an Active Practice.

Simple changes can make a big difference in improving the physical and mental wellbeing of patients and staff, at relatively low cost.

Further details please contact

Imogen Halls
Project Lead (Health)
[email protected]
07765 407978

Also from GM Moving

Useful documents

Active Practices Flyer

Sign-up to become an Active Practice

Head to the RCGP website now

What does becoming an Active Practice involve?

To gain Active Practice status, surgeries will need to show they've taken a number of steps, including:

Increasing physical activity in patients and staff
Reducing sedentary behaviour in patients and staff
Partnering with a local physical activity provider to support the practice to get more people active.

What does an Active Practice look like?

There are already lots of General Practices throughout Greater Manchester who are Active Practice certified or working towards certification.

Case Story: Read about how an Active Practice in Ancoats is getting patients and staff moving for better wellbeing

Below are a few examples, from GM, of work being done to support an increase in physical activity (or staff and patients) or reduce sedentary behaviour - the key requirements of the Charter.

Staff

Walking meetings
Standing desks
Staff step challenges
Monthly ‘Walk Talk Walks’ for patients and staff
‘Walk with a Doc’ walks for patients and staff
Bike racks and/or locks
Cycle to work schemes
Walking to collect patients from waiting room
Walking Wednesdays (optional lunchtime walks)
Under-desk cycle machines
Connect face-to-face rather than relying on instant messaging
Introducing health/moving as a regular agenda item for meetings
Organise a staff training session on physical activity e.g. PACC training
Organise staff seminar on strength training with Dr Ashley Gluchowski, Uni of Salford
Health and wellness week for staff to try new activities

Patients

Organise a staff training session on physical activity e.g. PACC training
Bike racks and/or locks
Monthly ‘Walk Talk Walks’ for patients and staff
Standing area in waiting room
Basic exercise equipment in waiting room
Signpost to local activities/events/groups eg parkrun/walking groups
Messages re benefits of moving for health on TV screens
Signposting to/encourage use of stairs rather than lifts
Using own stories/personal experience to influence
TV screens in waiting rooms to show seated exercises

Working with local activity provider

Reduced rates at local gym or leisure centre
Sign up to be a parkrun Practice or link up with local parkrun
Signpost to local activities/events/groups
Link up with local walking groups
Link up with local physical activity provider – find yours here
Connect with your local run talk run or walk talk walk (a free mental health support running club www.runtalkrun.com)

Resources

The webinar (right) was recorded on 14 May 2025 in partnership with Sport England for all healthcare professionals and practice staff interested in gaining Active Practice Charter status.

It supports viewers to gain an understanding of the new RCGP toolkit, including its resources on why physical activity is essential in primary care, and the steps involved in becoming an accredited Active Practice.

It also explores the core elements of the Active Practice Charter, focusing on practical tools, recommended training, and case studies demonstrating successful integration of physical activity initiatives in primary care.