Movement as a tool for healing: Clinical Exercise Team leads Sports Days across our sites
Over August and September, our Clinical Exercise teams have led Sports Day events for both staff and service users across our sites.
Most recently, on Wednesday 10 September, a Sports Day was held at our Bethlem site in the Gym, with over 33 attendees, including staff and service users. Earlier, on Thursday 14 August, the Ladywell Unit in Lewisham hosted its first-ever Sports Day, led by Kylie Mack, with over 30 attendees and the Virginia Woolf Ward emerging as the winner. Meanwhile, the National Autism Unit (Witley One Ward) including Scott Francis, Clinical Exercise and Wellbeing Lead, held a full Sports Week starting Monday 18 August, featuring five days of activities lasting 90 minutes each day and culminating in a celebration on the last day to recognise participants' achievements.
Each event featured a variety of activities, including shot put, football keep-ups, broad jump, javelin, egg and spoon races, and more.
The Clinical Exercise Team is made up of nine Clinical Exercise Instructors across South London and Maudsley —six based at Bethlem and one each at Ladywell, Maudsley, and Lambeth. The team is led by Sofie Grabinski, Clinical Exercise Lead, who joined earlier this year. They are passionate about promoting physical activity and exercise as essential components of mental health care.
Sofie shared: “Rehabilitation should be holistic and address not just the mind, but the body too. Our Clinical Exercise Instructors work both on and off the wards, supporting patients and staff with tailored exercise sessions, physical activity, and education around small lifestyle changes. Whether someone is in hospital or transitioning back into the community, we aim to make physical activity accessible, empowering, and sustainable.”
Sports Day offers a chance to bring people together in a spirit of celebration and inclusion. It empowers service users to engage in movement that boosts self-esteem and highlights the mental health benefits of exercise—such as improved mood, reduced anxiety, better sleep, and increased strength for everyday tasks. These events also provide a space to try new activities, connect with exercise professionals about personal goals and challenges, and meet new people.
Sofie added: “We know that taking the first step can be daunting. That’s why events like Sports Day are so important—they open the door to new possibilities and remind us all that movement is a powerful tool for healing.”
