We provide a range of free and low-cost activity sessions to help anybody who is experiencing anxiety, depression or other mental ill health.
Most of the sessions take place near the city centre. They are known as the Invigorate programme.
We are currently offering free weekly football and multi-sport sessions – tai chi sessions are also available at a small cost. The programme also includes walks at the botanic gardens and a variety of online programmes.
A trainer will be present at all sessions to help encourage you to be physically active and to have a go.
You can turn up to try any of the sessions, but we recommend that you email us in advance if you can.
Join our Invigorate scheme
It’s free to join Invigorate. Joining means we can keep you up to date about future sessions and gives you free or subsidised rate access to Invigorate specific activities.
If you have been referred to the Invigorate programme from a mental health professional, you are also entitled to a free, BETTER concessionary card, which gives you a 50% pay-as-you-play discount at Cambridge City GLL-managed gyms and pools.
Please note that if you are self referring to the Invigorate scheme, you are not entitled to a free BETTER concessionary card.
This includes access to Parkside pools, Abbey pool, Kings Hedges learner pool, Cherry Hinton Village centre and Jesus Green Lido.
Please note, the 50% discount is only applicable to pool and gym access on a pay-as-you-go basis and excludes classes.
Monthly wellbeing sessions
All monthly wellbeing sessions are funded by the Public Health team at Cambridgeshire County Council.
We will publish details here when we confirm further sessions.
Mindfulness meander
- Tuesday 12 December 11am to 12.30pm
- Meet at the Hot Numbers cafe on Trumpington Street
- Not suitable for anybody who uses a walking aid
Learn the basics of mindfulness before practising these techniques on a 3km walk to and around Sheeps Green. Enjoy a free hot drink at the cafe after the walk.
Regular activity sessions
All sessions are free to attend unless otherwise stated. Friends, family members or support workers can join the sessions – they will need to pay the same as you do, if there is a charge.
You can also watch pre-recorded exercise sessions online. We currently have a six-week self-care programme, and six-week beginners’ Pilates and yoga courses.
Football for Invigorate members
- Tuesdays, 12 to 1pm, Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre - contact Phil Mullen at phil@philmullensportscoaching.com or 07948 407 950
- Wednesdays, 2.30 to 3.30pm, Abbey leisure football pitches (ages 18 to 30 only) - contact edt@cambridgeunited.com
Multi-sport sessions
- First Monday of every month starting 2 October (excluding 1 Jan 2024), 1 to 2pm at Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre
- Free to attend
Activities will always include badminton, which will be facilitated by a member of the team. There is no need to book to attend badminton, you can just turn up.
Alongside badminton, different activities will run each month that will require booking in advance:
- Monday 5 February 2024: BoxFit (Book your place online)
- Monday 4 March 2024: TBC
Bat and chat
- Mondays, 12 to 1.30pm at Cherry Hinton Village Centre
- 1 to 1.30pm - social 30 minutes with free tea or coffee
- £3 per session
- Booking is required. Book your place online.
Led by a facilitator, come and play table tennis, badminton or pickleball. The emphasis is on having a go and not on competition.
Pilates for Health
- Fridays (starting 20 October), 12 to 1pm at Cambridge Central Library (Lion Yard), Conference Room
- £3.50 per session or £3 if booking classes as a block
- Booking in advance is essential. Book your place online.
Social badminton
- Wednesdays, 12.15 to 1.15pm at David Lloyd (school term-time only)
- £3 per session, or claim your first four weeks free with a Healthy You pass
- Reserve your place on social badminton
Tai chi
- Fridays, 12.10 to 12.55pm at Kelsey Kerridge
- £4 per session, or £2 for Invigorate members with the production of a membership card. Cash payment only
You do not need to book, but contact ghiacambridge@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Yoga for Health
- Tuesdays, 6pm to 7pm at the Meadows Community Centre on Arbury Road
- Thursdays, 5.30 to 6.30pm at Fields Nursery School on Galfrid Road
- £3.50 per session, or £18 for six sessions – booking in advance is essential
- Reserve your place on Yoga for Health at the Meadows Community Centre
- Reserve your place on Yoga for Health at Fields Nursery School
- Invigorate members with a valid membership card can access six sessions for free – contact us to reserve your place
Social pickleball
- Wednesdays, 1.45pm to 2.45pm at David Lloyd (school term-time only)
- £3 per session, or claim your first four weeks free with a Healthy You pass
- Reserve your place on social pickleball
Walks
We arrange regular guided walks and open sessions around the Cambridge University botanic garden to watch it change with the seasons.
Contact us to reserve your free place. The walks start at 11am and last for one hour. They take place on:
- Friday 1 March 2024
- Friday 3 May 2024
- Friday 2 August 2024
- Friday 1 November 2024
- Friday 6 December 2024
We also arrange regular wellbeing walks that can help you become and stay active.
- Reserve your place on a wellbeing walk
