Social Prescribing in New Malden: Qi Gong for Over-50s and Gentle Chair-Based Exercise
If you are a GP, social prescribing link worker or community organiser in New Malden or the wider Kingston area, you probably see the same pattern again and again.
Older adults who are stiff, tired and in pain. People who feel nervous about falling. Folks who are lonely after bereavement or retirement. Many want to move more, but gyms, fast classes and loud spaces feel overwhelming.
This page shows you how the New Malden Monday Qi Gong class can become a trusted referral option for over-50s and gentle movers – especially through social prescribing. It also links you to local impact data from the Brighter Living Qi Gong Impact Report, so you can see what this kind of class has already done for older adults in our area.
If you want the bigger national picture first, you can read
Qi Gong and Social Prescribing in the UK: A Complete Guide for Link Workers
and
Social Prescribing Explained: How Gentle Movement and Qi Gong Support NHS Personalised Care.
Who this New Malden guide is for
This page is designed for:
Social prescribing link workers in Kingston, New Malden and neighbouring practices
GPs, nurses and Allied Health Professionals looking for gentle movement options
Local charities, churches and community groups supporting older adults and carers
You will find:
A clear picture of the New Malden Monday class
Exactly who it suits (and who it does not)
How it supports falls risk, pain, blood pressure and loneliness
Simple referral steps and links you can send to people straight away
For more on the evidence behind Qi Gong for pain, breath and mood, you can also visit
The Science Behind Qi Gong for Social Prescribing: Pain, Breath and Mood.
Meet the New Malden Monday Qi Gong class
Time and place
Mondays, 12 noon – 1 pm
Graham Spicer Institute, New Malden
£10 per class (pay-as-you-go)
Who it is designed for
Adults over 50
People who feel stiff, tired or out of shape
Anyone who needs a slower, kinder start back into movement
People with mild-to-moderate joint pain, arthritis, high blood pressure or deconditioning
What happens in a typical class
People arrive, settle in and are gently welcomed. The session usually includes:
Simple joint-tapping and loosening to warm up
Slow Qi Gong movements you can do standing or seated
Breath-led exercises to calm the nervous system
A short relaxation or meditation to finish
The focus is on comfort, confidence and connection, not performance. There is no need to remember long routines. Movements are repeated week after week so people can relax into them.
You can share the main booking and information page directly with clients:
And if you want a wider overview of Qi Gong at Bright Beings Academy, you can also use:
Chair-based options and accessibility
A key reason this class works so well for social prescribing is that it is genuinely accessible.
Many movements can be done sitting in a chair.
People can switch between standing and seated as needed.
There is no pressure to keep up; pausing or resting is encouraged.
Instructions are clear, friendly and paced for people who may have hearing or cognitive challenges.
This makes the class suitable for people who:
Are afraid of falling
Use a stick or frame for confidence
Are recovering from illness and have low stamina
Experience light-headedness when standing too long
For people who need or prefer to practise entirely at home, you can also refer to:
How this New Malden class supports common social prescribing referrals
The New Malden Qi Gong group has been shaped over time by the people who attend. It is particularly helpful for:
1. Joint pain, arthritis and stiffness
Gentle, repeated movements help lubricate joints and improve range of motion. Over time, many people:
Find it easier to get up from chairs
Notice less morning stiffness
Feel safer on stairs and pavements
For a deeper dive into how Qi Gong supports pain and inflammation, you can share:
2. Falls risk and balance confidence
Slow weight shifting, footwork and posture work help people feel more steady on their feet. Even when done with a chair nearby, this builds:
Better proprioception (sense of where the body is)
Stronger leg and core muscles
More trust in the body, so people walk with less fear
For broader cardiovascular and balance evidence, see:
3. Loneliness, low mood and confidence
Perhaps the most important piece: people do not just move – they belong.
The New Malden class offers:
A regular, predictable weekly routine
Familiar faces and gentle conversation before and after class
A space where people are not rushed, judged or “talked at”
This directly supports social prescribing goals around connection, purpose and wellbeing, as explored in:
Evidence snapshot: Brighter Living Qi Gong Impact Report
The Brighter Living Qi Gong Impact Report gives a local, data-backed picture of what gentle Ki Gong and armchair yoga can do for older adults in New Malden, Chessington and Kingston.
From the report:
Around 100 older adults attended weekly sessions across three community sites.
A small evaluation (28 questionnaires) found that most participants reported improved overall quality of life.
44% noticed better flexibility and ease of movement.
Many people also described less pain, more energy and feeling less alone.
You can explore the full report here:
These findings mirror the wider research summarised in:
How to refer someone to New Malden Qi Gong Mondays
You can keep the process simple and repeatable.
Step 1 – Check basic suitability
New Malden Qi Gong Mondays is usually suitable for people who:
Can sit comfortably in a chair and, ideally, stand with or without support
Have stable long-term conditions (e.g. blood pressure managed, cardiac issues monitored)
Are cleared by their GP or specialist for gentle movement
It is not suitable for people with acute illness, unstable cardiac problems, or anyone in need of urgent medical or mental health support.
For safety and red-flag guidance across all classes, you can also use:
Step 2 – Share the class information
Give people the key details and a link they can keep:
You can also mention the option to move online if their health situation changes:
Step 3 – Suggest a simple commitment
Encourage people to try:
“One class a week for at least 6–8 weeks, then notice what has changed in your body, mood and confidence.”
Step 4 – Track light outcomes
You can use brief, friendly questions:
“How is your pain or stiffness compared to before?”
“Has your sleep changed at all?”
“Do you feel any more confident walking or going out?”
“Do you feel more or less connected to other people?”
If you are building a project or funding case, you can model simple questionnaires on the ones shown in the:
FAQs: New Malden Qi Gong and social prescribing
1. Does someone need to be very mobile to join?
No. Many people start the class feeling stiff, nervous or unfit. As long as they can sit safely in a chair and stand with or without support (stick, frame, rail), they can usually take part. There is no expectation of “keeping up” or doing every movement.
2. Can carers or family members attend with them?
Yes, carers are welcome. Joining together can increase confidence and help the person keep coming regularly. It also gives carers a chance to breathe and move gently themselves.
3. Is this suitable for people with high blood pressure or heart issues?
Often, yes – if their condition is stable and managed. Movements are low-impact and there are plenty of rest options. However, anyone with heart problems, unstable blood pressure or recent surgery should check with their GP or specialist before attending. Qi Gong is a complement, not a replacement, for medical care.
For broader cardiovascular evidence, see:
4. What if someone is very anxious or shy?
The class is calm, friendly and non-judgemental. There is no need to speak in front of the group or share personal stories. People can arrive, find a chair, join in quietly and leave whenever they need. For those who are too anxious to leave home at first, you might start with:
and then move into the New Malden class when they feel ready.
5. How does this fit into our overall social prescribing offer?
The New Malden Qi Gong class gives you:
A gentle exercise option for older adults and people with pain, fatigue or fear of falling
A social connection space that is calm and predictable
A nervous-system regulation tool that supports mental health referrals
You can see how it plugs into your wider pathways in:
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 are ready to include New Malden Qi Gong in your social prescribing menu, you can:
Share New Malden Qi Gong Mondays with anyone in KT3 who needs a gentle, chair-friendly class.
Offer Live Online Qi Gong Classes for housebound, rurally-based or very anxious clients.
For people closer to KT9, consider Qi Gong Live Classes at the Hook Centre, Chessington as a complementary option.
And whenever you need local, story-backed evidence for colleagues, commissioners or funding bids, keep the
Brighter Living Qi Gong Impact Report 2019–2020 (PDF)
close at hand. It shows in plain language how gentle movement can make daily life feel easier, brighter and more connected for older adults in our own community.
I look forward to connecting with you in my next post.
Until then, be well and keep shining.
Peter. :)
