The IFI Get Moving

Get Moving week is running from 4-12^th October 2008. This is the first annual England-wide mass participation event celebrating the benefits of physical activity for mental wellbeing.

 

A range of different events has been organised from football, yoga to a morning of gardening. Activities are taking place throughout the whole week and on Friday 10^th October 2008; there will be a mass walk in Battersea Park, London to link with World Mental Health Day.

 

It has already been proven that physical activity can boost mental wellbeing by lifting your mood, reducing tension and stress plus giving you more energy. ‘Get Moving’ will bring people with direct experience of mental health problems together with those without these experiences to build awareness, challenge attitudes and tackle discrimination. This is the first year of a four-year project called ‘Time to Change’, every Get Moving participant will receive a wellbeing pack crammed full of useful tips and information on how to get exercise into their life.

 

The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) are pleased that IFI accredited facilities are taking the opportunity to be involved in this national programme. Chesterfield College Fitness Suite, Derby College Fitness Centre and Bircotes Leisure Centre in Doncaster are three facilities in the East Midlands who are getting involved in Get Moving week.

 

Chesterfield College Fitness Suite is holding a Flex and Relaxation exercise class on Monday 6 October, 12:15pm – 1:00pm. In addition to this, throughout the week, the college are encouraging people which have experienced mental health problems to come along with a friend and to see the benefits of exercise and that the gym is a very friendly, safe and inclusive environment to exercise in. The college has a large directorate of learners with learning difficulties and disabilities; therefore inclusion is a major factor in the day to day running. Being an IFI accredited site, the college are already regularly utilised by many external community groups. Staff members in the fitness suite are looking forward to welcoming even more new faces. For more information about the activities happening at Chesterfield College please call Karl Smith on 01246 500579.

 

Derby College Fitness Centre in Mackworth is supporting the week by encouraging people with mental health conditions into the facility by offering ‘An introduction to the gym’. Service users are invited, along with a friend, to come along to the gym to sample and learn for themselves how exercise can improve their quality of life. Anybody attending will be shown around by qualified fitness instructors and other service users who have already experienced the benefits of using this facility. This invitation is open during the dates of 6-10 October, Monday to Friday between the hours of 11am – 8pm. In addition to this, on Sunday 12 October 2008, marking the end of the week, there will be a 1 ½ mile adventure / nature walk around Elvaston Castle. Participants will be challenged to complete the course, finding and recording landmarks along the way. For more information on these events please contact Steve Powell on 01332 520372.

 

On Wednesday 8th October, Bircotes Leisure Centre in Doncaster, Nottinghamshire are working in partnership with their walking group the "smiley milers" and providing an opportunity for people to join in on a walk around Bircotes. There will be supervision with their regular walk leaders and it all ends with a cup of tea, a biscuit and a chat.

 

The walk will start at 10am and participants are asked to get to the Leisure Centre for 9.45am.It is hoped that people will enjoy the experience and that it may lead to sustained activity. For more information please contact, Howard Tomlinson 0132743979.

 

 

These are a few examples of the kind of activites taking place, to find out where your nearest Get Moving event is please visit, www.getmovingweek.org.uk. Please make your pledge to exercise to improve your mental wellbeing and help to reduce the widespread discrimination surrounding mental health.

 

For more information on events at IFI accredited facilities please contact the IFI head office on: 0114 257 2060.