• Job Description

  Req#: C9373-25-0746?language=en&page=862&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  Would you like to make a difference to the health of vulnerable adults and young people? Would you like a non-traditional role working as part of an NHS clinical health care team? Do you have an interest in supporting people to improve mental health as well as physical fitness? Would you like to work within a hospital environment?

  We have an exciting opportunity for a Fitness Instructor to join our service, based at the Old Chapel Gym on the Countess of Chester Health Park site.

  This post is a permanent part time post (0.61 WTE 23 hours a week). The work pattern is Monday 9.30-16.30; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10.00-16.00.

  The service aims to provide a gym service, exercise sessions and health promotion for patients who are in hospital undertaking assessment and treatment for mental health conditions. Our patient group includes people with dementia, functional mental illness (such as schizophrenia) and people with neurodiversity.

  The Trust currently supports the RealLivingWage(RLW) hourly rate as set by theLivingWageFederation and will apply a pay supplement if the national A4C hourly rate falls below this

  Main duties of the job

  You will work as part of the Fitness and Wellbeing team in managing referrals, providing inductions, developing individualised programs and contributing to the day to day running of the gym. This is a role where no two days are the same as you adapt goals to suit patients' recovery journeys and the dynamic hospital environment.

  The team is based at the Old Chapel Gym. Exercise sessions are held within the gym as well as directly on the wards depending on need. All wards are on the Countess of Chester Health Park site at Bowmere Hospital.

  A creative approach is required due to the changing needs of our patients such as doing seated exercise, individual or group sessions or using games/sports.

  There is possibility of scope for extra hours on a flexible basis to support service need.

  About us

  We have an established Fitness and Wellbeing service and a large well resourced gym with modern equipment and an established timetable.

  You will be a highly motivated and adaptable team player with appropriate experience to at least Level 2 certificate (REPS recognised). It is desirable to have experience working within the NHS, care or with vulnerable people, and to have an awareness of how fitness and wellbeing is impacted by mental illness. You will have excellent communication skills and be able to speak to people from all walks of life, to motivate others around the benefits of physical activity.

  You will be supported by experienced senior staff. The Fitness and Wellbeing team works closely with ward clinical staff, including Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses and volunteers. We support Continuous Professional Development and clinical supervision.

  Details

  Date posted

  02 October 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 3

  Salary

  £24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Part-time

  Reference number

  373-SMH2474

  Job locations

  Chapel Gym, Countess of Chester Health Park

  Liverpool Road

  Chester

  CH2 1BQ

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.

  At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.

  CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

  Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.

  An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.

  If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?

  Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

  The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.

  Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.

  New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

  Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

  Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.

  At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.

  CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

  Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.

  An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.

  If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?

  Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

  The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.

  Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.

  New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

  Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

  Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Level 2 Certificate in fitness instructing which includes gym qualification or
  • OCR Level 2 Certificate in teaching exercise and fitness, including gym qualification
  • Eligible for registration with Register of Fitness Professionals (REPS)
  • First Aid Certificate

  Desirable

  • GP Exercise referral certificate
  • Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training

  Knowledge and Expertise

  Essential

  • Knowledge of human anatomy
  • Demonstrate ability to implement individually tailored physical exercise programmes
  • Some awareness of impact of mental illness and/or learning disability on an individual's health and wellbeing.

  Desirable

  • Understanding of the link between physical and mental health
  • Knowledge of health promotion and healthy lifestyle eg nutrition/diet, balanced lifestyle, stress management

  Experience

  Essential

  • Experience of delivering Exercise classes
  • Experience of engaging individuals in physical exercise

  Desirable

  • Previous experience of working within mental health or Learning Disability services
  • Experience in health promotion, care or working with vulnerable people

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Level 2 Certificate in fitness instructing which includes gym qualification or
  • OCR Level 2 Certificate in teaching exercise and fitness, including gym qualification
  • Eligible for registration with Register of Fitness Professionals (REPS)
  • First Aid Certificate

  Desirable

  • GP Exercise referral certificate
  • Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training

  Knowledge and Expertise

  Essential

  • Knowledge of human anatomy
  • Demonstrate ability to implement individually tailored physical exercise programmes
  • Some awareness of impact of mental illness and/or learning disability on an individual's health and wellbeing.

  Desirable

  • Understanding of the link between physical and mental health
  • Knowledge of health promotion and healthy lifestyle eg nutrition/diet, balanced lifestyle, stress management

  Experience

  Essential

  • Experience of delivering Exercise classes
  • Experience of engaging individuals in physical exercise

  Desirable

  • Previous experience of working within mental health or Learning Disability services
  • Experience in health promotion, care or working with vulnerable people

  Disclosure and Barring Service Check

  This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Additional information

  Disclosure and Barring Service Check

  This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Chapel Gym, Countess of Chester Health Park

  Liverpool Road

  Chester

  CH2 1BQ

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Chapel Gym, Countess of Chester Health Park

  Liverpool Road

  Chester

  CH2 1BQ

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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