Manchester Physical Activity Referral Service (PARS)
If your mental or physical health is stopping you from being active, Manchester PARS is here to help.
Manchester Physical Activity Referral Service (PARS)
If your mental or physical health is stopping you from being active, Manchester PARS is here to help.
Here you can manage your health journey through a physical activity referral from a health professional.
There are many reasons you might be referred. It could relate to your physical or mental health or both.
You would be referred by a professional who is familiar with you and your health barrier, and who feels that increased activity levels could improve your health.
We work with qualified community providers and instructors to deliver sessions in local leisure or community centres. We offer a range of different activities, so we will always try and find something to suit you! Some sessions are free of charge, and others carry a small cost.
For more information, please contact the team on: 0161 974 7839 or physicalactivityteam@mcractive.com
Welcome to Manchester PARS.
PARS offers specialist support and physical activity opportunities for people living with long term health conditions that require a tailored delivery approach.
Our exercise sessions follow an evidence-based approach and are specific to meet the needs of conditions such as coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Diabetes and stroke amongst other long term health conditions.
Received your referral?
On receipt of your referral, you will be invited to attend a one-to-one consultation with one of Manchester Active’s Physical Activity Referral officers (PARO).
The initial consultation will deliver an in-depth health screening tool to help ensure you are prescribed the most suitable activity session to meet your health needs. Your PARO will work with you to identify and agree goals that are important to you, whist helping you increase your activity levels across a 12-week intervention.
All activity sessions will be booked by your PARO at your initial consultation. You will be reviewed after a 12-week programme of sessions with regards your progress through to the next stage of your health and fitness journey.
Ready to start your wellbeing journey?
If you’ve been assessed as ready for independent exercise, we’re here to help you take the next step.
We understand that finding the right activities to support your health, manage a specific condition, or simply boost your overall wellbeing can feel overwhelming.
There are a range of opportunities available across Manchester, so use our activity finder to discover what’s near you.
Home Activity
For anyone looking to improve their health but with no serious ongoing health conditions and low risk of any developing in the near future, you can discover home exercise videos, guides or become a ‘Go’ account holder.
‘Go’ is a new way to manage your health and activity across our city. By registering, you can access, view and control the when, where and how you take part in physical activity, all from one central location.
Sustainability
We’re proud to support Manchester City Council’s sustainability pledge to reduce carbon emissions and build a greener, healthier city for all.
As part of our commitment, we’re making a simple but impactful change: moving from printed letters to digital communication via text and email.
Last year, we received 8,586 referrals into our service—a number that continues to grow as we want to help Mancunians move more and have a more active lifestyle. While this is fantastic news for public health, the environmental impact of sending thousands of letters is not.
By switching to digital communication, we will:
- Reduce our carbon footprint and paper waste
- Save money that can be reinvested into community services
- Reach clients faster, helping them begin their exercise journey sooner
This change is a win for the planet, a win for our clients, and a win for Manchester.
Together, we’re making movement matter—for our health and our environment.