Career opportunities Community Physical Activity Assistant

At Active Lifestyles, Central Bedfordshire Council’s community physical activity service, we support residents to live healthier, more active, and independent lives. Our work focuses on reducing inactivity, tackling health inequalities, and supporting those most at risk through prevention, early intervention, and long-term behaviour change. We work directly within communities to help residents improve their physical and mental wellbeing through targeted physical activity programmes, health interventions, and lifestyle support. This is a varied and rewarding role within a supportive and forward-thinking team that is passionate about making a real difference to local communities. You will also work closely with our leisure management contractor, helping to develop and strengthen health and wellbeing pathways into community and leisure-based provision.

This is a hybrid and community-based role. You will be expected to work across a range of community and leisure settings throughout Central Bedfordshire, alongside attendance at Central Bedfordshire Council office locations as required. The role involves regular onsite working with leisure partners, community venues, and residents. Some evening or weekend working may be required to meet service and community needs.

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, organised, and passionate about improving health and wellbeing within communities.

You will need to:

• Understand the role physical activity plays in improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities
• Be confident working with inactive individuals and those with long-term health conditions
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and support behaviour change
• Be able to work independently and as part of a wider team
• Be confident delivering both one-to-one support and group-based activity sessions
• Be organised and able to manage a varied workload across different settings

Essential qualifications:

• Level 3 Exercise Referral Qualification
• Level 4 Obesity and Diabetes Qualification (or equivalent relevant clinical specialism)

Experience within community health, physical activity, wellbeing, or behaviour change programmes would be beneficial.

The role involves delivering and supporting a range of community physical activity and health interventions designed to improve residents’ health, wellbeing, and independence.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and supporting residents within the Exercise Referral programme
• Supporting residents to monitor and understand their health using biometric assessment tools
• Delivering Falls Prevention assessments and interventions for residents at risk of falling
• Using GaitSmart technology to assess movement and support personalised interventions
• Planning and delivering inclusive low-impact physical activity sessions, including Chair Based Exercise and Low Impact Circuits
• Supporting individuals and families to make healthier lifestyle choices
• Working onsite with leisure partners to develop and strengthen health and wellbeing pathways
• Undertaking play area inspections to support safe and active environments

This is an opportunity to join a supportive and passionate team that is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Central Bedfordshire residents. We offer ongoing training and professional development opportunities, access to innovative tools and programmes, and the chance to work collaboratively with community and leisure partners to make a lasting impact. You will play an important role within a prevention-focused service that supports residents to become more active, improve their confidence, and maintain independence.

We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff. Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process.

Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and contractors to share this commitment. This post is subject to the disclosure of criminal records.

To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants, it is Central Bedfordshire Council's policy to only consider applications made via our online application system.

Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK.