“I’ve been using the Good Boost service for several months now, and looking back, it’s been quite a journey. When I first started, I wasn’t a sporty person at all. I’m 66, a bit overweight at the time, and exercise wasn’t something I naturally gravitated towards. Then I had a sudden flare‑up of psoriatic arthritis, a form of rheumatoid arthritis, which hit me very hard and very quickly. Both my knees were affected, and the pain travelled down through my legs. Overnight, mobility became incredibly difficult. I went from being someone who regularly hit 10,000 steps a day and considered myself reasonably fit, to struggling to walk and being in constant pain.

"I was referred by my GP and eventually started treatment, but it takes a long time to get the right medication. I was also referred to physio, but the land‑based exercises were physically impossible for me. I simply couldn’t weight‑bear enough to do them, which left me in a real dilemma. It was suggested that I try water‑based activity instead, but I was apprehensive. I’ve never been sporty, and the idea of going into a leisure centre brought back those typical memories of school - being the last one picked or being stuck in goal. I worried about how I’d be seen, especially turning up on crutches.

"But I needed help, so I went. And from the moment I walked into reception, everything felt normal, down‑to‑earth and welcoming. The staff were fantastic. They talked me through the programme, set me up on the tablet, and the questions felt genuinely tailored to me - my condition, my limitations, and what I hoped to achieve. It felt like it was working with me, not forcing me into something I couldn’t do.

"Even the changing rooms, which I’d been nervous about, were a positive experience. The whole environment; staff, other users, the accessibility of the building, made me feel respected and safe at a time when I felt very vulnerable. Knowing there was a hoist available if I needed it, and discovering there was a lift, made a huge difference.

"Getting into the water for the first time was transformative. Suddenly I had movement again. I could weight‑bear without the same pain, and I could feel my tendons, joints and muscles actually working. It gave me confidence, and it gave me back a sense of physical capability. It also reconnected me with people. Chronic illness can be incredibly isolating, and being part of a community again mattered more than I expected.

"I kept going, and over time, as my medication was adjusted and my confidence grew, I started to see real progress. Now, 12 to 18 months on, I’m walking almost independently. I use a stick when I need to, but I’m no longer on crutches. I have tried different medications during that time too, but I genuinely believe I wouldn’t have the tendon or muscle strength I have now without Good Boost.

"The programme has also made me reflect on what I can do for myself, not just what others can do for me. It encouraged me to think about my weight, my diet, my sleep, and my overall health. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been incredibly positive. Good Boost didn’t just help me move again; it helped me take back control of my life.”