Finding support to get more active

One You Leeds is a free local health service which support Leeds residents to start and maintain a healthy lifestyle. It offers a range of free physical activity classes and taster sessions. You can contact the service via the website One You Leeds or call them on 0800 169 4219 to make an appointment. Deaf people can ask One You Leeds to provide a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter for free – contact them for more information.

FIT Minds is a free mental health and wellbeing programme run by the Leeds United Foundation for individuals who are struggling and may be suffering with stress and anxiety. Topics covered include anxiety coping techniques, stress relief methods and lifestyle changes that are beneficial for mental wellbeing as well as physical activity sessions.

Try Club is run by Leeds Rhinos Foundation for men aged 18 and over who want to eat better, do more exercise and lose weight. The 12-week course is free, but you must have a Body Mass Index of 25 or over. See their website for how to refer yourself or contact health@leedsrhinosfoundation.org to express an interest.

City Connect provides help with getting started with cycling and walking, free adult cycling training and route planners. Call: 0113 251 7366 or email: cityconnect@westyorks-ca.gov.uk

Active Leeds supports people in Leeds to become active through low cost access to leisure centres and a timetable of community sports and activities including football, swimming and zumba groups. Active Leeds members can also join in from home with online Livestream Fitness Classes. The website has details of local walking groups or you can search the Walking for Health website which has a postcode finder for your nearest walks.

Better Together is a healthy communities, healthy lives project across inner South Leeds, including physical activity sessions such as Tai Chi, walk and talk and men or women only exercise groups.

Space2 runs a variety of events, projects and weekly groups which includes gentle walking and yoga. Check out social media and their programme of actvities for the latest information. 

Climb Alongside Mental Health (C/A/M) promotes the positive effects of rock climbing to help with mental health. You’ll need to be referred by your GP to the C/A/M initiative or by another healthcare professional. In Leeds, The Climbing Lab in Kirkstall is one of the participating organisations. Contact other climbing walls to find out if they’re part of the scheme.

The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) Hollybush in Kirkstall is a great place to get outdoors and get some exercise. They have wildlife walks, Green Gym gardening groups at locations throughout the city and a number of other volunteer opportunities, workshops and short courses throughout the year. Find out what’s happening at TVC. Call 0113 239 9924 or email gg-leeds@tcv.org.uk

East Leeds Health for All Project is a Healthy Living Service in the heart of Burmantofts in Lincoln Green. Check out their latest activities.

Feel Good Factor is a charity based in Chapeltown which provides a range of community health and wellbeing activities for people living in Chapeltown and Harehills, including art courses, walking and gardening groups and physical activities.

Your Space Leeds run sports and social groups. Check out the latest information about activities.

Mental Health Mates Leeds is a friendly peer support community group which meets monthly to walk, talk and share with others, without fear of judgement. Meet ups are held both online and in real life. Everyone has mental health so everyone is welcome! For the latest meet up information, email Michelle on hellomhmleeds@gmail.com, visit their Instagram page @mentalhealthmatesleeds, join the Facebook group ‘Mental Health Mates’ which features activity for all groups, including Leeds, or visit the Mental Health Mates website

#runandtalk is a social running group for anyone who wants to improve their mental wellbeing through running. Joining the group could also be helpful for people with mild to moderate anxiety or depression. The group is supported by a local running club, Hyde Park Harriers, and has 7 mental health ambassadors with lived experience of mental health issues and conditions, who can provide a listening ear in a supportive, non-judgemental environment.

Run Talk Run aims to make both running and mental health support less intimidating and more accessible. It’s a free, weekly 5km gentle jog and the group aims to be a safe space to talk about how you’re really doing. Before every run there is a window of time to meet the other runners and say hello to the run leader. You can join by downloading the MyCrew app.

Seacroft Wheelers is a friendly cycling club based in the east of Leeds which welcomes all riders from raw beginners to competitive racers.

Wheels 4 Fun is a community disability cycling group. It was set up and is run by volunteer cycling enthusiasts with experience in disability and cycle training and leading.

This Girl Can Leeds celebrates active women in Leeds. Follow social media for updates.

Leeds Girls Can – visit their Facebook page and website for lots of activities to get you involved and active.

Recovery Runners is a running group for anyone who is interested in running to recover from life changing events or addictive behaviours. For more information email recoveryrunners21@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page or Twitter for more updates.