Healthy Ageing in Weymouth & Portland
We help you stay healthy and happy as you get older. Our NHS service gives you personal help, health checks, and ways to connect with your community.
About
Find out about our NHS service, what we do, and how we help people in Weymouth & Portland.
Services
Explore local services to help you stay healthier for longer.
Digital Support
Watch helpful exercise videos that help you stay healthy and safe from falls in the Weymouth & Portland area.
FaME Classes
Falls Management Exercise: personalised exercise in small groups, led by specialists. Get up, stay up.
About Ageing Well Services in Weymouth and Portland
Our Mission
We have a variety of different services aimed at supporting people across the Weymouth and Portland Primary Care Network to stay well, maintain independence, and live safely at home for as long as possible. We focus on clinically appropriate care and support to help you manage your health and wellbeing as you age.
What We Offer
Our multidisciplinary team works closely with your GP practice to provide coordinated, personalised support. Services may include:
- Frailty assessments and proactive health reviews
- Care coordinator support
- Social Prescribing support
- Advice on managing long-term conditions and medications, including support from our PCN Pharmacy Team
- Mental wellbeing support
- Signposting to local NHS and community services including NHS and private exercise classes
How We Work
Our services are designed around the needs of each patient. Everyone experiences ageing differently, and we aim to provide care that is accessible, joined-up, and focused on what matters most to you within your local community.
Our Services
Crisis and Safety
Quick help and safety planning when you're in danger or need emergency help.
Link: Crisis and Safety – Weymouth & Portland Primary Care Network
Healthy Living
Exercise programs made just for you, classes to help prevent falls, and advice on staying active safely at home and out and about.
Link: Healthy Living – Weymouth & Portland Primary Care Network
Food and Money Help
Help with what you eat, planning meals, money advice, and learning about good food for staying healthy as you get older.
Link: Food and Money Help – Weymouth & Portland Primary Care Network
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Help with worry, sadness, grief when someone dies, and keeping your mind healthy as you get older.
Link: Mental Wellbeing – Weymouth & Portland Primary Care Network
Community Support
Help finding local groups, ways to volunteer, and fun activities in your area to stop you feeling lonely.
Link: Community Support – Weymouth & Portland Primary Care Network
Housing
Checks and advice to help you stay safe and able to look after yourself in your own home.
Link: Housing and Home – Weymouth & Portland Primary Care Network
Physical Activity Map
Self Guided Exercises
NHS Balance Exercises
These easy balance exercises you can do at home to help improve your health and how well you move.
Website: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/balance-exercises/
Falls Prevention Exercise Videos – Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership
Lots of exercise videos made to help stop falls and improve balance for older people.
Elderfit TV – Elderfit
Exercise videos made especially for older people to help them stay active and healthy.
Website: https://elderfit.co.uk/elderfit-tv/
All Videos – Devon | Steady On Your Feet
Lots of exercise videos and helpful things to help you stay steady and stop falls.
Website: https://devon.steadyonyourfeet.org/staying-active/all-videos
CSP launches video to demonstrate six simple exercises to stop falls | The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Expert advice from physiotherapists with six simple exercises made to help stop falls.
Exercise and Physical Activity for Osteoporosis – Royal Osteoporosis Society
Advice and guidance on safe exercise and physical activity to help improve bone health and reduce the risk of falls.
Exercising with Arthritis – Arthritis UK
Information and practical advice on exercising safely with arthritis to help improve strength, flexibility, and overall wellbeing.
Clock Yourself
An online tool to help you test and improve your reaction time, balance, and movement speed.
Website: https://www.clockyourself.com.au/
KOKU Health
A digital health platform offering guided programmes to support your health and wellbeing at home.
Website: https://kokuhealth.com/
FaME – Falls Management Exercise
Personalised exercise in small groups in your community, led by specialists. Get up, stay up — and live your best life.
Please note: FaME classes are currently open to healthcare professional referral only.
FaME benefits
Feel stronger
Progressive, small-group exercise builds real strength at your own pace.
Build resilience
Steady, structured sessions help your confidence and stability hold up over time.
Improve balance reactions
Exercises specifically developed to help you feel steadier on your feet.
Learn to get up from the floor
If needed, your instructor works with you through the stages of safely getting onto the floor and back up.
Improve stamina
Weekly classes plus home exercises help you feel the benefits more quickly.
Enjoy greater independence
Feel steadier getting around on your own, at home and in your community.
What is FaME?
FaME is the name of an exercise programme that has been shown to improve strength, stability and confidence in balance. The programme is delivered across the UK and funded locally because of its success. It's delivered by specialist qualified exercise instructors who understand the age-related changes that happen in the body and the medical concerns that you may have.
The small group exercise classes are designed to improve your physical fitness, strength and balance. The exercises within the class are progressed slowly according to your abilities, and within the same group people normally progress at different rates. The classes are also great social events!
See a local class in action
"I couldn't believe where I have come from, from where I started, the confidence it gave me."
A FaME class member"I feel that FaME is pushing me. Before I went to FaME I couldn't do a lot of the things, so probably I'll be pushed further, who knows?"
A FaME class memberWhat should I expect when I attend?
Classes are held once a week in community venues like church halls, community centres or leisure centres, with a maximum of 14 people. Just wear ordinary, comfortable clothes and flat shoes — sports clothing isn't required.
Your first session
Your instructor asks you to fill in some questionnaires about your health and medications, and does some simple functional tests to see your starting point. They'll also ask about the daily living movements you'd like to improve.
Building strength safely
You'll use equipment like resistance bands or weights. Some exercises are seated in the early weeks, with more done standing over time as your strength changes.
Getting up from the floor
If needed, your instructor will work with you through the stages of safely getting onto the floor and back up again.
A social element
Classes normally have a social element at the end where people get to know each other and have a chat — though you don't have to stay if you'd rather not.
Home exercises
After the first couple of sessions you'll be given exercises to do at home between weekly classes, the same as ones done in class — doing these regularly speeds up the benefits.
Staying active afterwards
Towards the end of the six-month programme, your instructor talks with you about how to keep active afterwards, since stopping exercise means losing the strength and balance you've gained. There may be a small fee for attending classes.
Class times & venues
You're welcome to bring someone along, though they can only join in the class itself if they're also enrolled.
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Contact Us
Phone
01305 234090
Monday to Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
w&p.pcn@dorsetgp.nhs.uk
Address
Weymouth and Portland Primary Care Network
Lynch Lane Offices
Lynch Lane
Weymouth, DT4 9DN
Emergency
If you need urgent medical help:
999 - Emergency
111 - NHS Helpline