Physical Activity Schemes

Your local council will have a Health Promotion Department.  Ask them what schemes exist in your area.  Some examples include:

Sixty and Sagging  in Dundee
Young at Heart in Stirling
LIFT in Herefordshire
Vintage Sports in Wealdon
Wear Fit in Wearside

The Health Development Agency can also provide further information -
www.hda-online.org.uk

Exercise Referral Schemes

Ask your doctor about Exercise on Prescription.  GPs are now encouraged to offer exercise as a treatment for various conditions. This may be based at your local leisure centre or even your village hall with fully trained exercise professionals.  It does not mean you will not also receive your normal prescription but after just a few sessions you should notice the benefits to your health.  Such schemes usually last 10 weeks, and you are encouraged to join in with other classes and activities after you finish.

Further information about Exercise Referral schemes is available from the
Department of Health on their website www.doh.gov.uk/exercisereferrals

Healthy Living Centres

You may be lucky enough to live in an area which has a Healthy Living Centre.  This scheme has been running since 1996 using £300 million of National Lottery money by the New Opportunities Fund (NOF).  Healthy Living Centres or HLCs are designed by members of the community to provide whatever services are needed in that area, including anything from childcare, financial advice, organic produce, exercise sessions, and tea dances to a bridge club. If it does not offer what you need then why not make a suggestion to the organisers?

Information can be obtained from www.nof.org.uk or by ringing 0845 0000121 (UK), 0845 0000122 for Wales, 0845 0000123 for Scotland and 0845 0000124 for Northern Ireland.

02/06/2009