Social Prescribing in Chessington and Hook: Community Qi Gong for Healthy Ageing
If you work in Chessington, Hook or the wider KT9 area, you’ll know the challenge well.
Older adults and midlife residents who are tired, stressed and in pain. People worried about falling. Carers running on empty. Many want to move more, but fast, noisy or competitive exercise classes simply don’t feel safe.
This page shows how the Hook Centre community Qi Gong class can become a reliable social prescribing option for healthy ageing, balance, stress relief and connection. You’ll see who it suits, how it works and how to refer – plus links to local impact data from the Brighter Living Qi Gong Impact Report.
For the wider national context, you can also read:
Qi Gong and Social Prescribing in the UK: A Complete Guide for Link Workers
Social Prescribing Explained: How Gentle Movement and Qi Gong Support NHS Personalised Care
Who this Chessington & Hook guide is for
This page is designed for:
Social prescribing link workers serving Chessington, Hook and surrounding practices
GPs, practice nurses and AHPs looking for gentle, community-based movement options
Local wellbeing teams, churches and community organisations supporting older adults and carers
You’ll find:
A clear picture of the Hook Centre Qi Gong class
Who it suits (and who it doesn’t)
How it supports falls risk, cardiovascular health, stress and loneliness
Simple referral steps and links you can send straight to patients or clients
If you’d like to understand more about the research behind Qi Gong first, you can also visit:
Meet the Hook Centre Qi Gong class in Chessington
Time and place
Wednesdays, early evening (after work-friendly)
Hook Centre, Chessington (KT9)
Community pricing (see booking page for current details)
Who it is designed for
Adults 40+ who want to age well and stay active
Older adults who want to build balance and strength safely
People with joint stiffness, mild arthritis or deconditioning
Stressed workers or carers who need a calmer, more mindful way to move
What happens in a typical class
The class is led by Bright Beings Academy founder and Qi Gong instructor Peter Paul Parker. A usual session includes:
Gentle joint tapping and loosening to warm the body
Slow, flowing Qi Gong sequences to build balance and coordination
Breath-led exercises to calm the nervous system
A short standing or seated meditation to finish
The atmosphere is down-to-earth and friendly – no performance, no competition, no pressure to “get it right”. People are encouraged to move within their own limits and take breaks whenever they need.
You can share the main class information and booking page here:
And for a wider overview of Qi Gong across Bright Beings Academy:
Why this Chessington class works well for social prescribing
1. Balance, confidence and falls risk
The Hook Centre class focuses heavily on balance and steady movement:
Slow weight shifts train the ankles, knees and hips.
Gentle turning and stepping patterns improve coordination.
Upright posture work builds confidence in everyday walking.
Over time, this helps people feel more stable on pavements, buses and stairs, which is central to healthy ageing.
For broader evidence on Qi Gong and heart–blood vessel health, you can share:
2. Cardiovascular health and gentle strength
Many people referred through social prescribing live with:
High blood pressure
Mild cardiovascular disease
Low general fitness
Qi Gong offers low-impact, rhythmic movement that can gently:
Raise heart rate without over-strain
Encourage circulation and joint mobility
Support blood pressure management alongside standard care
For people who are not ready for brisk walking groups or gym-based circuits, this class can be a realistic first step.
You can give more context via:
3. Stress, mood and “wired but tired” lives
Chessington and Hook have many people juggling work, family and caring responsibilities. It’s not unusual for social prescribing referrals to include:
Work-related stress and burnout
Sleep problems and racing thoughts
Low mood, anxiety and emotional overload
Qi Gong brings in the mental-health-supporting side of social prescribing by:
Guiding people into slower, deeper breathing
Giving the nervous system a predictable weekly “downshift”
Offering a calm, non-judgemental space to move and unwind
You can explore this in more depth in:
4. Loneliness, carers and community connection
The Hook Centre class is not just about movement – it’s a weekly anchor point. People often arrive a little early, chat before and after class, and gradually get to know familiar faces.
This supports social prescribing goals around:
Reducing loneliness
Giving carers a shared activity with the person they support – or a gentle hour for themselves
Creating a sense of belonging without pressure to talk or share stories
For more on this community side of things, you can share:
Evidence snapshot: Brighter Living Qi Gong Impact Report
The Brighter Living Qi Gong Impact Report gives a local, evidence-backed picture of what gentle Ki Gong and armchair yoga have already done for older adults across New Malden, Chessington and Kingston.
From the report:
Weekly sessions reached around 100 older adults at three community locations.
A small evaluation with 28 questionnaires found most people reporting improved overall quality of life.
44% noticed better flexibility and ease of movement.
Many also described reduced pain, brighter mood and feeling less alone.
You can explore this data in full here:
These local stories echo the wider research covered in:
How to refer someone to the Hook Centre Qi Gong class
You can keep referrals simple and consistent.
Step 1 – Check basic suitability
This class is usually suitable for people who:
Can stand and walk short distances (with or without a stick/frame)
Have stable long-term conditions (e.g. blood pressure managed; cardiac issues monitored)
Are cleared by their GP or specialist for gentle, low-impact movement
It is not appropriate for people with acute illness, unstable cardiac problems, recent major surgery or anyone in mental health crisis needing urgent support.
For cross-cutting safety and referral guidance, you can use:
Step 2 – Share the class details
Give clients clear information and a link they can hold on to:
If people’s circumstances change (for example, a flare-up or new caring responsibilities), they can also switch to home-based practice via:
Step 3 – Suggest a realistic commitment
A simple, workable suggestion is:
“Try one class a week for at least 6–8 weeks. Notice how your balance, energy, mood and confidence change over that time.”
You can reinforce this message using the national and evidence hubs:
Step 4 – Track gentle outcomes
You don’t need complex tools. Simple questions can show impact:
“Do you feel steadier on your feet?”
“Has your pain or stiffness changed at all?”
“What about your sleep and stress levels?”
“Do you feel any more connected to other people?”
If you’re building a project or funding bid, you can model short questionnaires on those shown in:
FAQs: Chessington & Hook Qi Gong and social prescribing
1. Is this class only for older adults?
No. The Hook Centre class is aimed at healthy ageing, so many people are 50+, but midlife adults under 50 are also welcome – especially those who feel deconditioned, stressed or wary of standard exercise classes.
2. Can someone attend if they have high blood pressure or heart problems?
Often, yes – if their condition is stable and monitored by a clinician. Movements are low-impact and there are regular pauses and rest options. Anyone with unstable blood pressure, recent cardiac events or major surgery should check with their GP or specialist first.
For more on this, you can share:
3. What if someone feels too anxious to join a group straight away?
If a client is very anxious, shy or unused to groups, you might:
Start with home-based classes via
Live Online Qi Gong ClassesThen move into the Hook Centre class when they’re ready
The group itself is calm and low-pressure – no need to talk in front of others, and they can arrive, join quietly and leave when they need.
4. How is this class different from the New Malden one?
New Malden Qi Gong Mondays is a daytime, often chair-friendly class especially good for over-50s who want a very gentle start:
Social Prescribing in New Malden: Qi Gong for Over-50s and Gentle Chair-Based ExerciseHook Centre, Chessington is an early evening class, slightly more active, with a focus on balance, strength and stress relief for a mix of midlife adults and older people:
Qi Gong Live Classes at the Hook Centre, Chessington
Both complement the UK-wide online option.
5. How does this fit our overall social prescribing and personalised care plans?
The Hook Centre Qi Gong class gives you:
A gentle but purposeful exercise option for people who don’t fit standard gym or circuit models
A community connection hub that supports loneliness and carer stress
A nervous-system regulation tool that supports mental health pathways
You can see how it connects to the wider offer here:
Qi Gong and Social Prescribing in the UK: A Complete Guide for Link Workers
FAQ: Social Prescribing and Qi Gong with Bright Beings Academy
Next steps
If you’re ready to include Chessington and Hook Qi Gong in your social prescribing pathways, you can:
Share Qi Gong Live Classes at the Hook Centre, Chessington with anyone in KT9 who would benefit from community-based healthy ageing and stress relief.
Offer Live Online Qi Gong Classes for people who can’t travel, are shielding or feel safer starting at home.
Use New Malden Qi Gong Mondays and
Social Prescribing in New Malden: Qi Gong for Over-50s and Gentle Chair-Based Exercise
as complementary options for KT3 residents.
And whenever you need local, story-rich evidence for colleagues, commissioners or funding bids, keep the
Brighter Living Qi Gong Impact Report 2019–2020 (PDF)
close. It shows, in plain language, how gentle community Qi Gong can make daily life feel safer, brighter and more connected for the people you serve.
I look forward to connecting with you in my next post.
Until then, be well and keep shining.
Peter. :)
