Our work on this programme has now ended. However, FaME continues to run. Further details on the classes are on the Steady on Your Feet website. Please contact [email protected] if you wish to discuss the contents of this page.

You may be interested in some of Health Innovation South West’s other programmes, you can find out more here.

The Falls Management Exercise (FaME) programme is a six-month, face-to-face group exercise programme aimed at improving strength and balance in people aged 65 and over. Research has shown that FaME results in fewer falls, improved confidence, and reduced fear-of-falling. However, despite this, FaME is not yet available across all of England, which is where Health Innovation South West is supporting its spread. 

Research teams at University of Nottingham, Manchester, Exeter (PenARC) and Glasgow Caledonian wanted to understand how best to increase availability of the training programme and ensure high quality delivery. They began by studying FaME’s set-up, delivery and quality in the East Midlands. They then developed a guide for those wishing to start up their own sessions: the FaME implementation toolkit. This evidence-based toolkit contains all the information needed to set up and run a FaME programme, from making the initial business case to promoting it to participants.  

The teams then used this toolkit to begin spreading the programme across two regions: Greater Manchester and Devon, assessing the programme’s efficacy across these populations. 

The University of Nottingham, along with co-applicants including University of Exeter, were awarded funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). 

Health Innovation South West was commissioned in 2021 to provide spread training and coaching to the research team behind FaME (called FLEXI) to help them to spread the programme across Devon, whilst Health Innovation Manchester supported in Greater Manchester.  

The researchers, along with a commissioner and current provider of FaME in the county, formed the team that attended our Spread Academy delivered in partnership with the Billions Institute in October 2021, and we have since provided workshops and coaching on both spread and communications. 

Part way through the programme, a decision was made by the research team to set up a dedicated spread team for the programme. This team was named the National FaME Implementation Team (N-FIT) and has continued the work of spreading FaME in both counties.  

An event was hosted at the Health Innovation South West office in June 2023 to bring together key stakeholders from across the region to raise the profile of FaME and its success and explore ways of spreading it further. 

Impact

In Devon, by July 2023 there was an increase of 26 classes since the project started in 2021. 

In 2024/25, Health Innovation South West engaged with stakeholders across Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset to understand current approaches to falls prevention and identify how FaME can best support regional efforts, particularly in reducing hospital admissions and improving community-based care. 

To support implementation, we developed stakeholder resources and a NICE-endorsed toolkit for commissioners, NHS trusts, and delivery partners, highlighting FaME’s benefits and proven impact in the South West. We also chaired and hosted the National FaME Implementation team meetings with national providers who are delivering FaME, to understand their challenges and successes. 

As of 2024/25, FaME:

• Reduced falls by 26-54%, with some cohorts as high as 88%.
• Generated significant savings: £2.36 of healthcare money saved for every £1 invested in FaME; £50.59 social return of public health money on investment per £1 in FaME.
• Helped older adults remain physically active even for 12 months post-intervention.
• Lowered risk of costly incidents: hip fracture = £14,642, ambulance call-out = £249, hospital day = £1,104.
• Demonstrated real-world effectiveness comparable to clinical trials.

Within Livewell Southwest groups in Plymouth from May 2024-April 2025:

• 118 new participant assessments completed.
• 90 patients have started FaME, 63 have completed FaME.

Since it began in Plymouth in 2022, more than 450 people have benefitted from the six-month programme run by Livewell Southwest and the local authorities, helping to reduce the number of falls in those taking part.

On 3 February 2026, FaME in Plymouth was featured in a BBC news item and on Spotlight and is attracting more interest from those wanting to participate.