New study shows Good Boost to be 11-times more cost effective than NHS treatment

Swim England is proud to highlight the findings of Good Boost’s latest report, ‘Unlocking the Social Value of Community Spaces for Wellbeing: Transforming Community Places into Wellbeing Spaces’.

This research demonstrates how everyday venues, such as leisure centres, libraries, and community halls, can be reimagined as hubs for health and wellbeing, delivering measurable for individuals and society.

Good Boost, a pioneering health-tech organisation delivering personalised therapeutic exercise through AI technology, has published the research in a new white paper, demonstrating the significant social and economic value of its programmes.

As a key partner in Swim England’s Water Wellbeing approach, Good Boost exemplifies how aquatic activity can play a central role in supporting the NHS 10-Year Plan’s ambition to shift from treatment to prevention.

By embedding personalised, AI-supported therapeutic exercise into pool-based programmes, we are harnessing the unique benefits of water to deliver safe, accessible, and effective interventions for musculoskeletal and long-term health conditions.

Unlocking the Social Value of Community Spaces for Wellbeing

The report reveals that Good Boost programmes generate significant improvements in individual wellbeing, whilst being more than eleven times more cost-effective in comparison to equivalent NHS interventions.

Over a 12-week period, participants achieved an average of approximately £2,140 increase in social value per person. With a delivery cost of just £129.60 per participant, the model offers a remarkable social return on investment of £16.50 for every pound spent.

The findings reinforce that aquatic environments are not just recreational spaces but powerful wellbeing hubs, where water-based activity reduces impact on joints, improves mobility, and encourages participation among those who may otherwise face barriers to exercise.

This demonstrates the critical importance of unlocking water-based exercise as a form of medicine, not only for the profound health benefits it delivers but also for the substantial savings it offers the NHS by reducing future demand on clinical care.

Andy Salmon, CEO of Swim England said: “Good Boost’s report is a fantastic example of how innovative approaches can transform health outcomes. It clearly demonstrates the incredible value of aquatic activity as a form of healthcare and the significant savings it can deliver for the NHS.

“This reinforces why our Water Wellbeing programme is so vital, unlocking the potential of pools to support prevention and keep communities healthier for longer.”

Ben, CEO of Good Boost said: “We’re really pleased to see the value of Good Boost’s work being recognised.

“This report highlights not only the positive impact we have on people’s health and wellbeing, but also the significant contribution we can make to the NHS by reducing future demand and supporting a preventative approach to care.”