£8,000 Sport England grant funds outdoor gym at Bridge House
Date added: 27 October 2026
Last updated: 27 October 2026
People receiving treatment for drug or alcohol dependence at Bridge House in Maidstone will have more opportunities to get active outdoors, thanks to an £8,000 grant from Sport England.
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has secured the funding to install a permanent outdoor gym at Bridge House, its 9-bed inpatient detoxification service for adults near Maidstone.
The new gym will give people staying at Bridge House the chance to enjoy fresh air, try different forms of exercise and find activities that help them feel better during treatment. The weather-resistant equipment will be available throughout the year.
Being active can help lift mood, relieve stress and improve strength and fitness. The gym will offer people another way to spend their time, build confidence and support their recovery.
The investment is part of ongoing work at Bridge House to improve the experience of people receiving treatment and create an environment that supports their recovery.
Adrian Richardson, Director of Transformation at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: “We want people staying at Bridge House to feel supported and have opportunities to do things that matter to them.
“This new outdoor gym will give people more choice during their stay, helping them stay active, build confidence and find positive ways to support their recovery.”
The Bridge House team will work with people staying at the service to explore the equipment and find activities that suit their interests and abilities.
Joe O'Rourke, Manager of Bridge House at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: “We’re delighted to have secured this funding. Getting outside, enjoying fresh air and having something positive to focus on can make a real difference to someone’s day.
“We’re looking forward to giving people the chance to try new activities, build their confidence and discover what they enjoy. We’ll support everyone to use the equipment in a way that suits them, whatever their starting point.”
Based in a converted oast house on the outskirts of Maidstone, Bridge House provides inpatient detoxification for adults aged 18 and over, including people with more complex needs.
Its team provides medical treatment alongside therapeutic support to help people manage the risks associated with detoxification, reduce harm and prepare for the next stage of their recovery.
