ESCAPE-Pain Programme
Tired of knee or hip pain? Join ESCAPE-pain and learn to self-manage and cope better with hip/knee pain.
If you're over 45 and dealing with persistent knee or hip pain from osteoarthritis, the ESCAPE-pain programme can help. This six-week group programme combines education with tailored exercise to help you manage your pain and regain your quality of life. *Programme eligibility criteria does apply.
What is ESCAPE-pain?
ESCAPE-pain (Enabling Self-management and Coping with Arthritic Pain using Exercise) is a group-based rehabilitation programme designed to help you:
- Manage your symptoms and carry out daily activities with greater ease.
- Become more active and continue to exercise long-term.
- Learn practical strategies to better cope with your pain.
Participants meet twice a week for a total of 12 sessions, each lasting one hour. Sessions include 20-minutes of interactive education and a 40-minute, supervised exercise circuit designed for your specific needs and abilities. You'll be guided by qualified coaches and have the chance to connect with others who are also living with joint pain.
The scheme builds on the city’s existing offer, which already includes the GoodBoost programme at Dimensions. People who complete ESCAPE-pain will be able to continue their progress through GoodBoost, helping them to stay active and manage their condition in the long term.
Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “I’m pleased that our leisure services are expanding their support for residents living with muscle and joint pain by adding the ESCAPE-pain sessions to their programme.
“Together with the GoodBoost programme, we are continuing our commitment to helping residents improve their health by managing pain that can have a huge impact on people’s daily lives. I encourage anyone that’s struggling with symptoms to check it out and give it a go if they’re eligible.”
Is this programme right for you?
ESCAPE-pain is a self-referral programme suitable for adults over 45 with a clinical diagnosis of knee and hip osteoarthritis. To get the most out of the programme, you should be:
- Independently mobile and able to participate in weekly supervised exercise classes (can use walking aids such as a stick or walker for long distances)
- Motivated to attend both sessions each week for the full six weeks.
- Comfortable participating and communicating in a group setting.
At the beginning and end of the programme we ask you to complete 2 questionnaires. This will allow you to measure the progress you have made throughout the programme. The outcome forms are anonymized. Your instructor will be able to help you with the forms if you have any questions
Thousands of people have completed the ESCAPE-pain programme. Hear from past participants about how the programme has helped their pain.
Participants discuss benefits of ESCAPE pain
Ready to get started?
The ESCAPE-pain programme is available at Dimensions Leisure Centre, The Wallace Centre, and Fenton Manor Sports Complex.
There is an introductory offer of just £15 for the 6-week programme available for programmes enrolling through-out 2025* (£30 for 12 sessions post offer)
Dimensions Leisure Centre:
First 6-week programme starting every Tuesday and Thursday 11am-12pm from 09/09/2025
Weekly sessions dates;
Week 1: Tuesday 9/9 | Thursday 11/9
Week 2: Tuesday 16/9 | Thursday 18/9
Week 3: Tuesday 23/09 | Thursday 25/9
Week 4: Tuesday 30/9 | Thursday 2/10
Week 5: Tuesday 7/10 | Thursday 9/10
Week 6: Tuesday 14/10 | Thursday 16/10
Dimensions Leisure Centre:
Second 6-week programme starting every Tuesday and Thursday 11am-12pm from 28/10/2025
Weekly sessions dates;
Week 1: Tuesday 28/10 | Thursday 30/10
Week 2: Tuesday 4/11 | Thursday 6/11
Week 3: Tuesday 11/11 | Thursday 13/11
Week 4: Tuesday 18/11 | Thursday 20/11
Week 5: Tuesday 25/11 | Thursday 27/11
Week 6: Tuesday 2/12 | Thursday 4/12
Fenton Manor Sports Complex:
First 6-week programme starting every Wednesday and Friday 10am-11am from 10/09/2025
Weekly sessions dates as follows;
Week 1: Wednesday 10/9 | Friday 12/9
Week 2: Wednesday 17/9 | Friday 19/9
Week 3: Wednesday 24/9 | Friday 26/9
Week 4: Wednesday 1/10 | Friday 3/10
Week 5: Wednesday 8/10 | Friday10/10
Week 6: Wednesday 15/10 | Friday17/10
Fenton Manor Sports Complex:
Second 6-week programme starting every Wednesday and Friday 10am-11am from 29/10/2025
Weekly sessions dates as follows;
Week 1: Wednesday 29/10 | Friday 31/10
Week 2: Wednesday 5/11 | Friday 7/11
Week 3: Wednesday 12/11 | Friday 14/11
Week 4: Wednesday 19/11 | Friday 21/11
Week 5: Wednesday 26/11 | Friday 28/11
Week 6: Wednesday 3/12 | Friday 5/12
Wallace Sport and Education Centre:
First 6-week programme starting every Tuesday and Thursday 12-1pm from 02/09/2025
Weekly sessions dates as follows;
Week 1: Tuesday 2/9 | Thursday 4/9
Week 2: Tuesday 9/9 | Thursday 11/9
Week 3: Tuesday 16/9 | Thursday 18/9
Week 4: Tuesday 23/09 | Thursday 25/9
Week 5: Tuesday 30/9 | Thursday 2/10
Week 6: Tuesday 7/10 | Thursday 9/10
Wallace Sport and Education Centre:
Second 6-week programme starting every Tuesday and Thursday 12-1pm from 21/10/2025
Weekly sessions dates as follows;
Week 1: Tuesday 21/10 | Thursday 23/10
Week 2: Tuesday 28/10 | Thursday30/10
Week 3: Tuesday 4/11 | Thursday 6/11
Week 4: Tuesday 11/11 | Thursday 13/11
Week 5: Tuesday 18/11 | Thursday 20/11
Week 6: Tuesday 25/11 | Thursday 27/11
For more details about upcoming dates and how to enrol, please contact the Wellbeing and Leisure team:
- Email: Leisure.services@stoke.gov.uk
- Phone: 01783 235004
If you have concerns about your joint health, are awaiting a diagnosis, or have a medical condition that might prevent you from participating in gentle exercise, please seek advice from your GP or healthcare practitioner before enrolling.
*T&Cs apply. The Introductory offer applies to programmes delivered until end of December 2025 . Payment must be made in full at the time of enrolment. Participants must meet the required eligibility criteria to take part in the ESCAPE-Pain Programme.