Active Practice Charter
The Active Practice Charter encourages GPs to champion physical activity to help improve our health and wellbeing.
Become an Active Practice: where movement is part of everyday care.
One in four people say they would be more active if it was recommended by a GP or Nurse.
The Active Practice Charter is a free national initiative from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and Sport England, designed to help GP practices take simple, meaningful steps to reduce sedentary behaviour and boost activity for everyone who walks through the door.
It promises to inspire practices to weave wellbeing into the fabric of daily life – where staff feel energised, patients feel encouraged, and physical activity is a natural part of every interaction.
The best part? Becoming an Active Practice is fun, flexible, and achievable – and most surgeries are already doing more than they realise. It’s a brilliant example of social prescribing in action and a powerful way to show your community that you believe movement is the best medicine.
Why join the Active Practice movement?
Becoming an Active Practice doesn’t just help patients. It transforms workplace culture, strengthens community connections, and brings a sense of pride and purpose to teams of all kinds.
Benefits include:
- A healthier, more energised workforce
- Happier, more engaged patients
- A practical framework for reducing sedentary habits
- Stronger links with local activity providers
- National recognition with an RCGP certificate you can proudly display
Even small changes – like walking meetings, signposting to local exercise groups, or adding movement prompts in waiting rooms – can have a profound impact on wellbeing across your practice.
What the Active Practice Charter involves
To achieve Active Practice status, your surgery simply needs to show action in five key areas:
- Reduce sedentary behaviour in staff
- Reduce sedentary behaviour in patients
- Increase physical activity in staff
- Increase physical activity in patients
- Partner with a local physical activity provider
There’s no complex evaluation, no rigid targets, and no end date. Just practical, creative steps that fit your practice, your people, and your community.
Ready to get started? Here’s how simple the process is:
1. Identify your Practice Lead
Anyone can champion the initiative – GP, manager, social prescriber, or receptionist. What matters is enthusiasm and a desire to spark change.
2. Review what you already do
Most practices already promote activity without realising it. A quick review often reveals you’re closer to achieving the Active Practice Charter than you think.
3. Add new movement-friendly ideas
Incorporate simple initiatives such as:
- Staff walking meetings
- Waiting-room activity videos
- Partnerships with local walking groups or exercise classes
- Patient signposting to community activities
4. Complete the short sign-up form
Share how your practice meets each of the five criteria. Once approved, you’ll receive your official Active Practice status and certificate.
5. Celebrate and share your success
Your achievement is something to shout about across your practice, on social media, and within your local community. It’s a huge step toward healthier patients and a healthier workplace.
Take the first step today
Becoming an Active Practice is about creating a healthier future – one small step, movement break, signposted walk, or active partnership at a time. Start your journey towards becoming an Active Practice today!
Your team deserves it.
Your patients will feel it.
Your community will celebrate it.
Find out more about our partnership opportunities
Join us in transforming lives through the power of movement. With your support, we can inspire and empower communities across the county – creating brighter futures and opening doors to opportunities that last a lifetime.
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