Collaborative working is critical when patients face complex socio-economic challenges that significantly affect their ability to access local services and enjoy healthy, active lives.
Addressing these systemic barriers to participation, in addition to their health needs, requires coordinated, multi-agency support.
Here, Paiwand’s story demonstrates the importance of that connectivity between organisations and services in a place and the positive impact physical activity has on individuals’ wellbeing.
North Trafford Case Story: Paiwand Galali
Paiwand and his family have moved frequently over the past few years, and he wasn’t able to go to the gym regularly. His physical and mental health suffered a lot as a result.
He was also the victim of bullying related to his background and his Down syndrome.
After speaking with his GP, he was referred to social prescribing, which helped him and his family access lots of different support in his new area.
That support included a referral to the Trafford Leisure Physical Activity Referral Programme, by Social Prescribing Link Worker Emily Doncaster, and translation services.
Despite the programme’s subsidised cost, due to his financial circumstances, Household Support Funding (HSF) from St John’s Centre was needed for Paiwand to join the programme.
Paiwand said: “For me, I really wanted to return to the gym. I needed a safe and supportive environment due to past experiences of bullying and my health needs.
“My family and Emily then supported me to attend my first appointment, and everything was explained clearly, which really helped reduce my anxiety.
“I started slowly but soon built up a regular routine, attending the gym every day. As my strength improved, so did my confidence.
“Over time, I became independent enough to go to the gym on my own, which has been a huge achievement for me which I feel very proud about.
“Going to the gym makes me feel very happy and has really improved my health and sense of wellbeing. My family are also worrying much less about me.”
Paiwand Galali
Emily Doncaster, Social Prescriber North Trafford PCN, covers 4 GP practices and works with a wide range of community partners. She’s worked with Trafford Leisure since September 2023.
She said:
“Close collaboration between Trafford Leisure and his local community hub was instrumental in enabling Paiwand to access and benefit from the Physical Activity Referral Programme.
“Paiwand’s case study exemplifies the importance of this joint approach.
“A number of other patients in the North Trafford area, particularly those who are most vulnerable, have required financial support to access specialist physical activity programmes within their community. Without this funding support they would have not been able to benefit.”
Hayley Wilkinson Trafford Leisure Active Living Manager added:
“The scheme is vital for vulnerable patients, as it gives them a new outlook on life, helping them feel they have a purpose, with physical activity acting as the catalyst for this and the many benefits it brings to each individual.
“This referral has had a warm and positive impact on the scheme, demonstrating how invaluable it has been to Paiwand’s overall mental and physical health, particularly considering the outcomes he has achieved.
“From meeting him and his family in October 2025 until now, you can clearly see how much his confidence has grown. He has become a familiar, friendly face at Stretford Leisure Centre and now has a safe environment in which to train.”
Update: Household Support Funding has since been changed to focus on crisis resilience. This means physical activity referrals are no longer eligible. There’s recognition of the significant benefits of maintaining access to leisure facilities though which has led community hubs in Trafford to successfully apply for funding through Trafford Moving Fund to maintain referrals to physical activity.
