Joe Wicks joins Sheffield Children’s to help young patients prepare for surgery
Children waiting for surgery are being encouraged to build healthy habits at home through a new series of videos filmed by Joe Wicks at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.
The workouts, aimed at children and young people aged eight to 16, combine accessible exercises with practical guidance covering physical activity, nutrition, sleep, stress management and general wellbeing.
The resources are intended to help families make lifestyle changes before an operation which can also support children during their recovery.
The project brings together Wicks, known as The Body Coach, and clinical teams at Sheffield Children’s. National partners include the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland and the Centre for Perioperative Care.
During his visit, Joe Wicks filmed a series of five short videos. He also spent time meeting children and families staying on the wards, chatting with them about how they stay active while in hospital.
He also hosted a 10-minute afternoon workout session, bringing together patients, families and colleagues from across the hospital for a fun burst of movement and energy.
Joe Wicks said: “I’m really proud to be working with Sheffield Children’s, the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the Centre for Perioperative Care, and APAGBI, to help children and young people feel more prepared for surgery. This is about showing families that small changes can make a real difference to how children feel before surgery and during recovery. Whether it’s moving a little more, building confidence or making healthier choices where possible, it all adds up.”
Dr Zoë Burton, Consultant Anaesthetist at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Council Member: “For 150 years, Sheffield Children’s purpose has been to create healthier futures for children and young people. In our preoperative care clinics, we’ve integrated lifestyle medicine approaches to help children and families build healthy habits that can last well beyond their surgical episode. We know that physical activity is a fundamental pillar of both physical and mental health. For all children, but particularly those living with excess weight, increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time can have huge benefits, both now and in the future.
“We’re really excited to have collaborated with Joe Wicks to bring this messaging to a much wider audience. These short, fun and accessible videos are a fantastic way to help make physical activity feel achievable for everyone. We hope they’ll inspire more children and their families to take simple steps towards becoming fitter, stronger and healthier before and after surgery. Every child deserves the opportunity to access the information and support they need to build healthy habits and go on to enjoy a healthier future.”
Dr Claire Shannon, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said: “At the Royal College of Anaesthetists, we know that better preparation and shared-decision making leads to improved outcomes.
“These videos give children and families trusted, practical support to improve health and wellbeing before surgery, helping young patients feel more confident, recover quickly and build healthier habits for the future.
“We are proud to bring together clinical expertise, national leadership and innovative partnerships to ensure every child has the best possible start to their surgical journey.”
Professor Denny Levett, Director of the Centre for Perioperative Care at the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said: “Low levels of physical activity in childhood can have lasting consequences for health, and the habits that shape how active we are as adults begin early in life. Yet the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s 2022 profiles report that three-quarters of adolescent boys and more than four in five adolescent girls in the UK are not active enough.
“Preparing for surgery offers an opportunity to help children, young people and their families build healthier habits, supporting the NHS’s shift from treating illness to preventing it. These new videos with Joe Wicks make movement fun and accessible, helping families turn waiting time into preparation time—with benefits both for their surgery and for their long term health.”
Dr Samantha Black, Consultant Paediatric and Perioperative Anaesthetist and Patient Information Lead at Royal College of Anaesthetists, said: “With 37.6% of 10 to 11-year-olds in England classified as overweight or obese, surgery can be a teachable moment for children, young people, and families to encourage healthier habits as the NHS shifts from treating illness to preventing it.
“Exercise can improve recovery, support mental health and reduce screen time. By working with Joe Wicks, we hope to help families use surgical waiting lists as preparation lists, with simple activities that make movement part of everyday life.”
The videos are on The Body Coach Youtube channel.
