A radical approach to encourage residents to be more active for life
22 Jan 2020 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
A new physical activity strategy has been launched for the county which sets out a bold, innovative ambition to encourage every resident in Northumberland to be more active for life.
Whilst the Northumberland natural landscape presents significant opportunities for local people across Northumberland to become active, many communities across Northumberland face diverse health, social and cultural challenges in doing so.
These challenges associated with the rurality of the county, access to services and higher levels of social and economic deprivation, mean that in Northumberland, almost 3 in every 10 people are classified as inactive. This means that they do not achieve at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity in a week, which includes walking, cycling or any kind of exercise where their heart rate increases, and they are mildly out of breath.
Facilitated by Northumberland Sport, a multi-agency approach was developed to support local people overcome these wide ranging challenges. This involved Northumberland County Council; Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group; Active Northumberland and a wide range of community and voluntary organisations.
Increasing physical activity levels, especially amongst our inactive communities will bring many benefits, which this strategy is designed to support including lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease; several types of cancer; a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes; improved sleep; support to control body weight; a 30% lower risk of dementia and improved mental wellbeing.
Lee Sprudd, Director of Northumberland Sport said:
“Inactivity is a complex issue and changing behaviours is at the heart of this strategy - but there are no quick solutions, which is why tackling inactivity should be everyone’s business. Activity levels can fluctuate significantly at different stages of people’s lives for a variety of reasons, which is why this strategy has adopted a life course approach, recognising the significant benefits of tackling inactivity across all ages.
Physical activity is important for our personal health, wellbeing and vitality. It also makes an important contribution to our communities by bringing people together socially, building cohesiveness and adding to a sense of place and local identity. Being active adds to our individual and collective potential to live longer, happier, more fulfilling and successful lives.”
Northumberland County Councillor Cath Homer, cabinet member with responsibility for leisure said:
“We firmly believe that our residents should be able to enjoy physical activity, whatever their circumstances or abilities. Northumberland offers so many fantastic opportunities for an active lifestyle with a beautiful coastline and countryside and many superb sports centres with highly trained staff.
“ We should all be aiming to incorporate some form of physical activity into our daily routine and by doing something that we enjoy, be it sport, gardening, walking the dog, hiking, cycling or even dancing, then we are much more likely to stick at it.”
Judith Stonebridge, Public Health Consultant for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said:
“ Physical activity plays a pivotal role in maintaining good health and preventing ill health.
In fact, it has been said that if a medication existed which had a similar effect to physical activity, it would be regarded as a wonder drug or miracle cure.
“ Through this strategy we are placing physical activity at the very heart of the preventative health agenda by educating and supporting our communities to lead healthier and more active lives.”
The launch event held at Macdonald Linden Hall Golf & Country Hotel was hosted by BBC Look North presenter and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland Carol Malia.
For more information on the Northumberland Physical Activity Strategy, please visit www.moreactiveforlife.co.uk