New Cancer Rehabilitation Programme Launches at The Nene Centre, Thrapston

25 June 2026

Freedom Leisure, one of the UK’s leading not for profit leisure trusts that manages The Nene Centre on behalf of North Northamptonshire Council, is pleased to announce the launch of a new Cancer Rehabilitation Programme funded by Macmillan Cancer Support.

After a successful application for a Macmillan Cancer Support grant, the Freedom Leisure Healthy Communities team in North Northamptonshire secured just over £11,000 to support this project for people living with cancer.

The trust has partnered with the Macmillan Cancer Support Centre at Kettering General Hospital to promote the programme directly. They have also worked closely with the hospital’s prehabilitation and rehabilitation teams to reach more people. This work has been supported by Northamptonshire Sport.

The funding will support people at different stages of their cancer journey, whether before treatment or after. Participants can take part in an 18-week exercise programme, with one session each week led by Freedom Leisure’s Healthy Communities Manager, Izzy Collyer.

The programme will take place every Tuesday at 10am starting in July 2026. It will offer much more than exercise classes or gym sessions. It is designed to support people throughout their recovery. Sessions are open to anyone living with or beyond cancer, no matter where they are in their journey.

In addition to structured exercise, there will be social activities and opportunities such as day trips. These will help participants improve their physical health while connecting with others who understand what they are going through and can share their experiences.

Our cancer rehabilitation programme is about much more than exercise. It is about bringing people together, rebuilding confidence, improving wellbeing and supporting each other.

We are proud to offer funded places through the support of Macmillan Cancer Support. Research shows that appropriate physical activity can play an important role in recovery and rehabilitation. It can help manage fatigue, improve flexibility, support mental wellbeing and improve quality of life.Izzy Collyer, Healthy Communities Manager at Freedom Leisure.

This is great news for our residents in North Northamptonshire. We now know ‘rest is best’ is no longer the only message for people living with cancer. By helping people build fitness before treatment, recover more quickly afterwards, and better manage the side effects of treatment, programmes like this can make a real and positive difference to people's lives.Cllr Brian Benneyworth, North Northamptonshire Council's Executive Member for Housing, Health and Leisure.

After completing the 18-week programme, Freedom Leisure offers further opportunities to stay active through its exercise referral scheme. This gives access to the pool, gym and group exercise sessions, as well as other Healthy Communities activities such as walking sports and wellbeing walks.

Anyone who would like more information or wishes to apply for a funded place can contact the team by email at the Nene Leisure Centre.