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?
We have an exciting opportunity for a Fitness Instructor to join our Fitness and Wellbeing team, 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 Mondays 9.30-16.30; Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 10.00 -16.00.
The Trust currently supports the Real Living Wage (RLW) hourly rate as set by the Living Wage Federation and will apply a pay supplement if the national A4C hourly rate falls below this
Shortlisting for this vacancy is due to commence on 24/04/2026 and the proposed interview date is 07/05/2026
Main duties of the job
The service aims to provide a gym service, exercise sessions and health promotion to our service users who are in hospital. Our service users are adults and young people (13-17) requiring acute inpatient mental health care, and adults requiring high dependency mental health rehabilitation. We have an established Fitness and Wellbeing service and a large well resourced gym.
About us
You will be a highly motivated team player with appropriate experience to at least Level 2 Fitness Instructor, and a genuine interest in improving wellbeing for people with mental health conditions. Ideally, you will have some experience working with vulnerable people or working within health or social care.
The post holder 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. Fitness sessions take place within the gym or on the hospital wards. You will be supported by the Lead Occupational Therapist and Lead Fitness Instructor. The team works closely with ward clinical staff, including Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Nurses.
This is a dynamic and rewarding role where no two days are the same, and where creativity and empathy are key skills alongside the ability to encourage engagement in physical activity as part of an individual's mental health recovery journey.
There is possibility of scope for extra hours on a flexible basis to support service need.
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
- Minimum Level 2 Certificate in fitness instructing which includes gym qualification or
- 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
- Minimum Level 2 Certificate in fitness instructing which includes gym qualification or
- 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).
