The Move 4 Mood programme is a 12-week exercise programme offering physical activity sessions to people over 18 experiencing low or moderate depression. The programme is aimed at individuals who have a GP in Ealing or live in the borough of Ealing. This service is provided free of charge by the NHS.

Scroll down to find out more about the programme.

If you are not sure about the support you need, are finding things hard or would simply like ideas to help your wellbeing then please complete the online referral form and indiciate in the "If other, please specify" section that you wish to join the Move 4 Mood programme.

Once you submit your referral, our team will be in touch to book an assessment with one of our practitioners.

The Move 4 Mood programme helps people deal with low or moderate depression. If you are are experiencing the following symptoms, this programme may be for you:

  • Feeling sad a lot of the time
  • Not enjoying things you usually would
  • Not having nay energy
  • Changes in your appetite
  • Finding it hard to sleep or are sleeping more than normal

How can a physical activity programme help me deal with depression?

Studies show that regular exercise can have a positive impact on mental health. It can:

  • Improve mood
  • Manage stress and anxiety
  • Improve sleep and reduce fatigue
  • Improve self-image and self-esteem
  • Improve eating patterns
  • Improve energy levels
  • Help you be more socialble and connect with other people

Is the programme suitable for people with certain health conditions?

Physical exercise is known to help manage several long-term health conditions such as:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Asthma
  • COPD
  • Certain cancers

Exercise helps keep certain symptoms under control, reduce pains and aches and prevents additional conditions from developing.

If you are not sure whether physical exercise will impact you negatively due to a health condition, please speak to your GP before starting any physical activity programme.

Service users need to be motivated to attend and engage in regular physical activity. Those with the following mental and physical health conditions are unlikely to benefit from the programme we provide. We can't see:

  • Anyone who is actively self-harming
  • Anyone who has suicidal intent
  • Anyone who has recently attempted suicide
  • Anyone who is in crisis
  • Anyone who need multi-disciplinary help involving other care providers or longer-term psychological support
  • Anyone who is battling with drug or alcohol abuse
  • Anyone with a severe disease or disability who can only perform physical activity in a supervised clinical environment

Additonally, anyone with significant psychosocial or physical health factors that prevent engagement in regular physical activity or require input from a multi-disciplinary team. For example, where there are ongoing physical health investigations or interventions.

Please note this programme does not offer psychological support. If you need help urgently:

Contact our Single Point of Access Service (SPA) on 0800 328 4444

You can call this number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for help and advice in a crisis, from trained mental health advisors and clinicians.

Move 4 Mood is a 12-week exercise programming offering:

  • Weekly group exercise classes online and face-to-face at different community venues around Ealing.
  • Access to a personal online platform to record goals and assess progress.
  • Access to online exercise, nutrition and wellbeing tutorials.
  • Access to physical activities and food diaries.

You will have access to two types of exercise sessions:

  • Moderate intensity: suitable for people with no health conditions or physical impairments.
  • Low intensity: suitable for individuals with reduced mobility and/or long-term health conditions

If you referral is accepted, we will assess you to determine which intensity is most suitable for you.

What support will I receive throughout the programme?

  • An initial six week and 12-week assessment with one of our therapists.
  • Live exercise classes conducted with specially trained instructors.
  • On-going telephone, email and online support from our therapists.

What will I learn from the programme?

  • Physical activity and exercise recommendations.
  • Healthy nutrition, dietary advice and recommendations.
  • The impact and role of physical activity and nutrition in mental wellbeing and physical health.
  • How to plan and prepare your exercise and nutrition plan.

We're happy to offer guidance on who would benefit from this service. If you are not sure, please get in touch before making a referral.

What happens after referral?

After we receive your referral, we will contact you within 14 days to book an assessment. Assessments are usually over the phone lasting 30 minutes. All our calls are from a withheld number.  During the assessment, you will ask you about your current health to make sure that the programme is suitable for you. If accepted, you will be enrolled in weekly exercise sessions and will be provided telephone and email support from our therapists for 12 weeks. 

What if we can’t help?

If we cannot meet your needs, we will signpost you to other services and community resources where appropriate.

If a referral is not accepted by the service, we will provide feedback as to why the referral has been declined.

We work closely with GPs and other services to make sure that we are offering the service to those who can benefit from it.