Balanced Life is Edinburgh Leisure’s redesigned evidence-based falls prevention programme, delivered in partnership with the Edinburgh Health & Social Care Partnership (EHSCP).
Its innovation lies in combining NHS-informed falls prevention, pathway integration, person-centred assessment and long-term progression into community physical activity.
Designed for older adults who have experienced, or are at risk of, a fall, it translates proven NHS falls prevention evidence into accessible community support that improves strength, balance, mobility, confidence and independence while reducing social isolation.
It builds on our long-standing falls prevention service, established in 2012. Following a comprehensive redesign – informed by participant feedback, programme evaluation, instructor insight and NHS evidence – Balanced Life relaunched in July 2025, expanding from 34 to 65 classes weekly across 10 Edinburgh Leisure and two community venues, and increasing capacity from 1,152 to 2,232 participants annually.
Falls are a leading cause of injury, hospital admission, and loss of independence among older adults, placing significant pressure on health and social care services. Balanced Life addresses this challenge through early intervention, rehabilitation, and sustained physical activity support.
By providing an accessible programme in community settings, it tackles barriers associated with social isolation, reduced mobility, and health inequalities. The programme’s two-tier model is fully embedded within Edinburgh’s Falls Prevention and Management Pathway with person-centred assessment matching participants to the right level of support and creating a clear progression from targeted intervention to long-term physical activity.
With a 75% completion rate, Balanced Life enables older adults to remain active, connected, and independent.
Balanced Life supports local and national priorities including Edinburgh’s Community Falls Prevention and Management Pathway, EHSCP prevention objectives, the Lothian Falls Prevention and Management Framework, and Scottish Government ambitions around healthy ageing, prevention, rehabilitation and reducing health inequalities.
By improving strength, balance and confidence, it reduces avoidable falls, hospital admissions and pressure on health and social care services.
Edinburgh Leisure’s representation on Edinburgh’s Community Falls Prevention and Management Oversight Group ensures the service remains aligned with citywide priorities and local need.
Participant focus groups, evaluation findings and instructor feedback directly informed the development of our expanded two-tier model and improved progression routes for participants. The redesign also involved instructors, NHS partners and health and social care professionals.
Clear referral guidance, regular updates, case studies, impact reports and session observations help build partner confidence and strengthen referral quality. Participants receive a welcome call to ensure they understand the programme and are matched to the right class.
Ongoing contact supports attendance, while post-session discussions provide opportunities for feedback, education and peer support. 42 volunteers support the programme including some, like Jen Dembovsky, who previously benefitted from Balanced Life and now want to give something back. Volunteers strengthen person-centred delivery by helping participants feel at ease, offering encouragement and sharing lived experience.
Jen says, “I share my story of how Balanced Life has helped me. I think that helps others, especially people who don’t see the impact straight away. It helps them feel supported and see what’s possible.”
Balanced Life uses recognised outcome measures to assess changes in physical function, balance confidence and health-related quality of life.
Among programme completers:
• 75% improved their Timed Up & Go score, with 15% moving out of the high falls-risk category.
• 59% improved their 180° Turn performance, demonstrating better dynamic balance.
• 64% improved Functional Reach, increasing an average of 7cm.
• 69% reported improved balance confidence.
• EQ-5D quality-of-life measures showed meaningful improvements, particularly in mobility and ability to undertake everyday activities.
The programme achieves a 75% completion rate, significantly above the physical activity referral sector average of 60%.
For many older adults, a fall can trigger declining confidence, reduced mobility, social isolation and loss of independence. Balanced Life intervenes before that cycle takes hold, helping people build strength, confidence and resilience so they can continue living active, connected lives, while reducing reliance on health and social care services and strengthening community wellbeing.
“I have gone from using a walker to walking confidently without aids – Balanced Life has completely transformed my independence.” – Jennifer Gallacher
“I do feel steadier on my feet now and more confident when moving around, and I now have a plan in place if I were to fall that would support me to get up safely.” – Robert Meagher.
Through a pathway-embedded, evidence-led community programme which combines clinical insight, leisure delivery and peer support, Balanced Life tackles health inequalities, supports healthy ageing and transforms lives.
With representation at Edinburgh’s Community Falls Prevention and Management Oversight Group, we will ensure Balanced Life’s continued alignment with citywide priorities and will continue to closely collaborate with the Edinburgh Health & Social Care Partnership to support prevention and ease pressure on health and social care services.
To support sustainable growth, we will continue strengthening referral pathways, improving participant placement and building referrer confidence. We will also invest in instructor recruitment and workforce development, with the ambition to deliver over 100 classes per week by March 2027, reaching 3,000 people.
We will broaden programme choice by introducing water-based activity and static cycling, both of which have potential benefits for falls prevention.
These options will be evaluated through pre- and post-course assessments, stakeholder feedback and participant focus groups, with learning used to inform future development. In partnership with Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, we will also pilot Balanced Life in two Edinburgh care homes in 2026 27, delivering three sessions per week over 12 weeks to explore whether the model can help reduce falls in care settings.
Evaluation outcomes will be shared with partners and used to inform future delivery models. Balanced Life will also continue sharing best practice through CLUK’s Health & Wellbeing Special Interest Group in Scotland.
