MoveWell Expansion

Cork Sports Partnership and the Health Promotion & Improvement Department HSE South West are planning to expand the MoveWell Exercise Programme to additional communities across Cork over the coming months. 

As part of this expansion, expressions of interest are being sought from leisure facilities/centres, gyms, studios, and suitably qualified and experienced exercise professionals to deliver MoveWell classes in their own facilities.

Successful providers will work in collaboration with CSP and HSE Health Promotion and Improvement and will receive full training on the programme structure and approach.

Speaking about the programme, Strategic Operations Manager with Cork Sports Partnership, Maurice O’Sullivan said ‘We are excited to work with Health Promotion Team in HSE South West to the MoveWell programme to more community facilities and providers across Cork over the coming months. This will ensure more people living with chronic conditions in communities across Cork get access to suitable exercise opportunities in a supportive environment’. 

Mary Cleary, Senior Health Promotion Officer with the HSE said ‘we know that being regularly active can bring a wide range of benefits for people living with long-term chronic conditions, to help them stay independent and maintain a better quality of life. The MoveWell programme aims to increase activity by providing a supportive, welcoming environment where individuals can build confidence, stay motivated, and learn to better self-manage their condition. Even those who do little or no exercise can experience improved health. Participants consistently praise MoveWell’s comfortable pace, expert instruction, and the boost it gives to their independence and wellbeing’.

MoveWell is a low-intensity, structured beginner exercise class suited for individuals with low levels of physical activity, led by qualified exercise professionals.

It is designed for people living with one or more of the following chronic conditions:

• Type II Diabetes
• Asthma
• COPD
• Cardiovascular Disease.

The programme offers a safe and supported pathway for adults with chronic conditions to become more physically active.

The programme was designed through a collaboration between Cork Sports Partnership (CSP) LeisureWorld Cork, and the HSE Health Promotion & Improvement (HP&I) team.

It consists of:

• A friendly and welcoming approach with follow-up to support ongoing attendance.
• A weekly, 1-hour low-intensity strength-building class including warm-up, circuit-based resistance training, and cool-down/stretching.
• A rolling structure (i.e. ongoing and not limited to 6 or 8 week programme blocks) with ‘pay as you go’ access.

• Warm-Up (20 minutes): Participants use cardio equipment of their choice (e.g. treadmill, bike).
• Main Phase (Circuit, ~30 minutes): Eight resistance-based exercises (4 upper-body, 4 lower-body), 40 seconds per exercise, 20 seconds rest, repeated for three rounds with breaks.
• Cool Down (~10 minutes): Guided full-body stretching.

Equipment Required:

• Treadmill, Bike, Rowing Machine, Cross Trainer, Hand Ergometer – Warm-up
• Light plates (1.25kg, 2.5kg) & studio barbells – Circuit training
• Foldable chairs – Essential for chair-based exercise
• Aerobic steps – Balance and functional exercises
• Cones, resistance bands – Optional for circuit variety

Successful providers will work in collaboration with CSP and HSE HP&I and will receive full training on the programme structure and approach.

Support Provided:

• Promotion and participant recruitment support from CSP and HP&I
• Training on the MoveWell approach and session delivery
• Ongoing communication about new participants and their needs
• Approved MoveWell Facility 

Provider Requirements

• Qualifications: QQI Level 5 or above in fitness/exercise (or equivalent); a qualification in Exercise for Health is desirable.
• Experience: Working with adults with low confidence and physical literacy is highly valued.
• Facilities: Must have access to appropriate equipment and exercise space for up to 14 participants.
• Insurance: Must have Public Liability Insurance.
• Capacity: Ability to cater for 12–14 participants per class.