12 December 2025
This activity is part of Healthy Working Life, a joint programme of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.
What's this project all about?
Leeds City Council’s Active Leeds is leading the way in supporting workers with long-term health conditions to stay in or return to work. The pilot builds on the Leeds Encouraging Activity in People (LEAP) community programme and uses physical activity, health coaching and peer support to improve wellbeing, fitness and confidence.
The programme, running from April 2025 to April 2026, targets employed adults in Leeds who are either off sick or need extra support at work. It aims to help 300 people through physical activity programmes and 200 people via vocational rehabilitation for respiratory, cardiac and stroke patients.
Neil Jones, Workplaces Health and Wellbeing Lead at Active Leeds explains:
“Our approach is simple but effective. We help people improve their health in a way that directly impacts their work. Feeling stronger, fitter and more confident makes it easier to stay in or return to the workplace.”
What difference has it made?
Participants receive one-to-one health coaching, tailored programmes and access to weekly community sessions, including:
- healthy living
- keep moving
- aqua mobility
- escape pain
- weight management
- mental health
Neil says:
“When people join the programme, we baseline their health so we can clearly see the improvements they make. Over the weeks we are seeing better physical activity levels, healthier weight, lower heart rate and blood pressure as well as a real boost in wellbeing.
“Each week they take part in our sessions, connect socially and get one-to-one support from their health coach. Individual tailored plans are tracked carefully so they can see their own progress in strength, mobility, fitness and confidence.
“By week 12, many feel ready to take the next step with a low-cost Active Leeds membership, giving them access to the gym, swimming and mainstream classes. By the end of the programme, they also meet with an employment and skills adviser, which helps them feel prepared and supported to stay in work or return to work."
Daniel's story
Daniel joined after breaking his neck. Though still off work, he has made impressive progress:
- Increased strength and mobility through gym sessions, aqua mobility and keep moving classes
- Improved confidence, mental wellbeing and functional fitness
- Progressed in everyday activities and rehabilitation metrics, with measurable gains in strength, balance and overall health
Daniel says:
“I feel I’m definitely on the right track to get back to work. The team has done a great job - I can only say positive things about them.”
Denise's story
Denise heard about the programme from her GP following a knee replacement surgery. Additionally, Denise was also dealing with arthritis, depression and obesity. She aimed to get more active, improve her mental health and lose weight:
- Returned to work with full responsibilities and no adjustments
- Improved mobility, muscular strength and pain management
- Boosted her mood and confidence, increasing her independence in daily life
- Gained measurable health improvements, including better cardiovascular fitness, weight management and mental health wellbeing
Denise says:
"I wanted to lose weight and lift my mood. Instead of going home and sitting down, I’m moving more and my mobility has improved. I plan to continue going to the gym."
Next steps
The programme is already creating positive outcomes for workers across Leeds. Partnerships with organisations such as Northern Gas, Leeds City Council, John Lewis and Leeds MIND are opening new pathways for employees to access support.
A stroke rehabilitation class launches in January 2026, helping stroke survivors transition back into activity and work.
Neil says:
“We’ve teamed up with the Leeds Community Healthcare stroke physio team to create this group, aiming to widen rehabilitation options across the city.
“Work is a key health outcome. Supporting people to stay in or return to work is not just about employment - it’s about confidence, independence and overall wellbeing.”
This project is part of Healthy Working Life - reducing the number of people in West Yorkshire who may become unable to work because of ill health. Find out more on our Healthy Working Life website pages.
You can also read the Leeds workers get back on their feet with Active Leeds case study as a pdf document.