Skip to the content

Community and mental health services for Southampton, Portsmouth and parts of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Menu

Related links

Portsmouth Older Persons Strength & Balance Exercise Team

Portsmouth Older Persons Strength & Balance Exercise Team (POPSBET) 

A Community Physiotherapy Lead, Falls Prevention exercise programme serving the older (65+) population of the Portsmouth area who are registered with a Portsmouth GP practice.

We are not a self referral based service, Please speak to your GP or Health Care Professional (HCP) i.e. Physiotherapist, Nurse.

Team members are currently re-deployed because of COVID 19. Therefore new referrals are being redirected to Community Physiotherapy.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

See the latest information and guidance on Coronavirus, read our important visitor guidance and access a range of health and wellbeing resources here.

Referral criteria

Via a Health Proffesional GP / Nurse / Physiotherapist using Systm1

Full service description

What we do?

The strength and balance programme offers exercise, advice and information aimed at improving your mobility, balance and independence. The exercises can increase your confidence in your day to day activities and help prevent you from falling in the future.

Exercises range from being chair based to standing work. The focus is on improving your strength and balance. We also encourage general levels of health and make it fun in the process. We also show you how to get up from the floor if you do fall over.

Although you will be exercising as part of a group the service will be tailored to your individual goals and needs.

The classes are run by two physiotherapy associate practitioners.

How can the exercise team help you?

If you have had a fall, unsteady on your feet or afraid that you may fall over then we may be able to help you. We offer classes with various levels of ability and we aim to improve your balance, mobility and confidence.

How long do the courses run?

We run two different levels of exercise groups. You will need an assessment for us to see what class would be best for you.

One class runs once a week for 24 weeks and the other class runs twice a week for 12 weeks.

Where do we do the courses?

We are based at St Mary Community Health Campus.

The groups are run on a rolling start so as soon as a space becomes available the next person will be offered a place. Our waiting times vary between two and six weeks depending on which class you are going to.

We can provide hospital transport if eligible. Please be aware that if you use hospital transport you may be on the vehicle for an hour or so while other people are collected or dropped off.

What happens at the assessment?

The assessment can be done at your home or at the class venue. The assessment involves a chat about any falls you may have had and your relevant medical history. We will then undertake some simple balance tasks to see what level of exercise would be best for you. The whole assessment should take no longer than 40 minutes. longer than 40 minutes.

How do you get referred?

If you are already being seen by a physiotherapist then have a chat with them. Alternatively, contact your GP and ask if they would refer you for an assessment. There is no cost for attending these classes or for using hospital transport. Once you have been referred a member of the team will contact you by telephone to offer you a date and time for an assessment.  

Referral method

SystmOne via a healthcare professional, we do not accept self-referrals.

Contact Information

Portsmouth Older Persons Strength & Balance Exercise Team

0300 123 3995

Block B, St Mary’s Community Campus, Milton Road, Portsmouth, PO3 6AD

Opening hours

  • Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Friday: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

Please visit our services page for specific services and contact details. Alternatively, contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service by emailing or calling the number below. You can also give us feedback, make a complaint or share a compliment.

pals@solent.nhs.uk

0800 013 2319

*Lines are open Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm.

The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act was passed on 30 November 2000. It gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, with full access granted in January 2005.

The Act sets out exemptions to that right and places certain obligations on public authorities.

Email: InformationGovernanceTeam@solent.nhs.uk

Phone: 0300 123 3919

*Subject to any exemptions which apply, we are obliged to provide the information requested please note that requests for Personal Information is not covered under this Act and should be applied for through the Data Protection Act 1998.

Our administrative and managerial centre is based in Southampton.

While our services can be found around various NHS locations in Southampton and Portsmouth (and surrounding districts), our administrative and managerial centre is based in Southampton at:

Highpoint Venue
Bursledon Road
Southampton
SO19 8BR

If you require a printable version of how to find us including bus times, car access and bike info please download our leaflet. (Copyright of Highpoint Venue).

Central office phone: 0300 123 3390

*Lines open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

If you are a journalist with a media enquiry, please contact the Communications Team at:

communications@solent.nhs.uk

0300 123 4156 or 02381 031076

The Communications Office is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.