PATIENTS staying at adult mental health inpatient wards in Taunton can now have access to a refurbished gym with new equipment and outdoor sports equipment thanks to a Sport England grant.

Holford psychiatric intensive care unit and the two Rydon wards, based at Taunton’s Wellsprings Hospital site and run by Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, have received almost £5,300 to upgrade facilities and create a space to cater for all levels of abilities and fitness.

Clinical research shows there is a strong link between physical activity and positive mental health, and this is now recognised as an important addition to the support offered to the patients.

Stephen Davis, physical health and wellbeing facilitator for the wards, said: "This generous grant from Sport England gives us the opportunity to create a health and wellbeing service that can help our patients to understand the benefits of physical exercise, and give them the skills and confidence to continue pursuing their goals once they leave us.

"Colleagues from across the hospital worked together to develop this idea and we are now looking forward to being able to offer this increased level of care to our patients."

Wellsprings Hospital Site has five mental health units – two at Rydon, two at Pyrland and one at Holford - caring for a range of patients across Somerset with mental illness.