Latest news
Jenny Patrickson: mental health qualification gaining interest
By Tom Walker
A new qualification focusing on mental health – one of the first of its kind for the physical activity and fitness industry – is creating interest across the sector.
Officially recognised as a Level 2 qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), the qualification has been created by Active IQ.
Jenny Patrickson, Active IQ managing director, described the new award as a key focus for the company.
Speaking to HCM at the recent Elevate conference, Patrickson said: "The new Level 2 Award focusing on mental health comprises two units: Mental Health Awareness and Mental Health First Aid.
"It's going really well and we've had interest from colleges, private training providers, apprenticeship providers and also employers who are beginning to realise the importance of their staff being able to identify mental health issues and know how to signpost individuals to help and support where it's needed."
Patrickson added that the mental health award is one of many new qualifications launched by Active IQ recently.
She also revealed details about a new coaching qualification – created in partnership with double Olympic champion Max Whitlock – aimed at ensuring more children participate in gymnastics.
To see the full interview, click here.
Patrickson spoke to HCM at the recent Elevate conference
A new qualification focusing on mental health – one of the first of its kind for the physical
activity and fitness industry – is creating interest across the sector.
HAF,FIT,IND,PTS,EVT,SAM,TRA,PHR,PUB
imagesX/THUMB341859_633546_826770.jpg
Latest news
19 Jun 2026
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives,
18 Jun 2026
Elevate Arena is underway at London's Excel and the hot topic of AI was the
16 Jun 2026
PureGym Group has announced that group chief financial officer, Alex Wood, is taking over the
15 Jun 2026
Independent operator, Fitness Worx Gyms, is introducing private blood testing as a service to members.
15 Jun 2026
International industry lobbying associations are calling for physical activity and strength training to be deeply
12 Jun 2026
Global group exercise specialist, Les Mills, is inviting operators to sign up to its Workout
Elevate is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style this June, with organisers confirming
12 Jun 2026
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch
10 Jun 2026
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, is gearing up to unveil its most significant redevelopment
10 Jun 2026
Researchers in the US have identified an antibody which could greatly reduce the loss of
09 Jun 2026
Peloton has made the strategic acquisition of Pilates start-up, Skōp, to support the expansion of
09 Jun 2026
Crunch Fitness has announced the launch of Crunch Reform Pilates – its own reformer concept
08 Jun 2026
The 20th State of the Industry Report from LeisureDB has revealed a resilient, expanding and
CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an on-demand personal
08 Jun 2026
Purpose Brands has announced its entry into the Italian market, having sold the franchise rights
08 Jun 2026
Fitness First UK is integrating red light therapy into its yoga and Pilates classes through
05 Jun 2026
Nuffield Health has told HCM that it takes its responsibilities towards its colleagues seriously and
05 Jun 2026
Technogym has announced the launch of the Run X World Treadmill Championship, the first world
05 Jun 2026
Shocked by the UK loneliness statistics, charitable trust Mytime Active has been doubling down on
05 Jun 2026
Portugal’s leading operator, SC Fitness, is celebrating a milestone by reaching 100 gyms. The company
As healthcare continues to shift towards prevention, there’s a growing focus on helping people stay
03 Jun 2026
Australia’s fast-growing fitness network, Viva Leisure, is adding a low-cost gym brand to its already
03 Jun 2026
Speedflex has launched a strength training programme for 10 to 16-year-olds, to make it safer,
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
SnowDome Fitness has added 50 per cent more space with cutting-edge Technogym solutions
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Third Space partnered with IndigoFitness to deliver a
bespoke training space for its new club at The Whiteley
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Starpool supports Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs, says Riccardo Turri
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Find out how your gym can tap into the corporate wellness boom
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
David Lloyd is stepping up its commitment to women’s health as it continues to explore what fit-for-purpose looks like for the female population
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Greg Bradley looks at the shift towards strength training in gyms and advises on how operators can create the ultimate training environment
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
EGYM has opened a new HQ in Paternoster Square,
London and revealed a range of new launches
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Active IQ is calling for greater accountability in online fitness advice with the launch of a new trustmark
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Pulse Fitness has created a
new health club delivering an
elevated wellness experience
HCM promotional features
HCM magazine
If the health service is to
survive, we must recognise
that it is a disease service
– and that wellbeing rests with
us, says the activity advocate
and healthy ageing champion.
He talks to Kate Cracknell
HCM magazine
As the entrepreneur who started Wexer, Fresh Fitness, Fitness DK and Repeat, as well as being a former elite athlete, Rasmus Ingerslev’s life looked perfect from the outside, but onthe inside it was a different story. He talks to Kath Hudson about healing old wounds
HCM magazine
Small improvements to sleep, diet and physical activity have major benefits for the heart, according to new research from the University of Sydney
HCM magazine
HCM People
Stephen Price
Founder, SP&Co Group“Working in public health over the last few years has lit up parts of my brain again”
HCM magazine
HCM People
Jamie Clements
The Breath Coach“I experienced a blissful feeling of joy I hadn’t felt since I was a kid”
HCM magazine
Raphael Cuomo explores the
powerful link between addiction,
health and behaviour change
HCM magazine
Collaborations with the medical profession and greater aspirations around wellbeing are creating a need for more experts in our sector. It’s time to reboot our thinking around the workforce
HCM magazine
Strength training is evolving,
driven by changing consumer
preferences. Julie Cramer talks
to innovators about how their
products are meeting this demand
HCM magazine
For every member with a tripod and a big following, there are others irritated at the way equipment is being hogged or wary they’ll be in the background on someone’s Insta feed. Do influencers offer valuable, free marketing or are they just a nuisance? Kath Hudson finds out how operators are responding
HCM magazine
HCM People
Phillip Mills
CEO, Les Mills“The Les Mills partnership with Hyrox is something I'm personally really excited about”
HCM magazine
UK market penetration has risen to 18 per cent – one of the highest
globally, yet with 100 per cent of people seeing benefits when they
exercise, how high could it go? Kath Hudson asks the experts…
HCM magazine
Read the latest issue
Opinion
promotion
“Strength training has moved from the margins to the mainstream.”
Featured supplier news
CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an
on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right
client in under 10 seconds.
Featured supplier news
As healthcare continues to shift towards prevention, there’s a growing focus on helping
people stay active, independent and feeling good for longer.
Company profiles
With an award-winning portfolio of over 450 pieces of cutting-edge, premium fitness equipment, Pulse Fitness ...
Company profiles
Perfect Gym, part of the Sport Alliance group, is a global software provider specialising in ...
Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
Directory
Water experiences and hydrotherapy solutions
Spa and beauty equipment
Industrial washing machines
Fitness tracking platform
Lockers
Hot tubs
Property & Tenders
Stratford, East London.
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Property & Tenders
Diary dates
22-23 Jun 2026
WX Wakefield , Wakefield, United Kingdom
Diary dates
21-24 Sep 2026
The Langham Huntington Pasadena , Pasadena, United States
Diary dates
Search news, features & products:
Find a supplier:
