Local community groups encouraged to get a life, get active

Get a life, get active - that’s the message from the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) today as it launches the 2005 Get Active in the Community Cash Grant Awards.

A television advertising campaign will go on air today to publicise the scheme and encourage local groups to apply for a community grant award to help increase physical activity levels of the people in their area.

Physical inactivity is a serious and increasing public health problem. Seven out of 10 adults in Northern Ireland do not engage in the recommended level of physical activity and one quarter are physically inactive or sedentary¹. For general health benefits, adults should achieve at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day on five or more days in the week.

Dr Paula Kilbane, Chair of the Northern Ireland Physical Activity Strategy Implementation Group (NIPAIG), said: “Current lifestyle trends have led to a largely inactive society. This has potentially serious consequences for our health, placing us at risk of developing coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. Schemes such as the Get Active in the Community Cash Grant Awards are essential in getting groups together in the local community and encouraging those who are largely sedentary to get active.

“Being active, even for short periods, can provide health benefits to everyone, regardless of age, weight, health condition or disability.”

Linda Barclay, Director of Programme Development at the HP A said: “The scheme has been very successful in the past and is now in its seventh year. Since it was launched it has helped over 750 groups to improve health in their local communities through physical activity. Last year over 600 applications were received and more than a quarter were awarded funding.

“These small grants provide financial support to community and voluntary groups to enable them to develop initiatives targeted at those who may otherwise engage in little or no physical activity. The enthusiasm and effort of local groups continues to be effective in the drive to achieve a more physically active, healthier population.”

The Get Active in the Community Cash Grant scheme aims to enable local groups to provide physical activity opportunities in their communities and to raise awareness of the importance and benefits of being regularly, moderately physically active. Groups may apply for cash grants up to the value of £500 to support their projects by contacting 0845 601 22 77.

The television advertisement will run from Tuesday 1 March to Friday 18 March 2005 and the closing date for applications is 4.00pm on Thursday 24 March 2005.

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Notes to the editor

• Linda Barclay will be available for interview today between 2.30pm – 4.30pm. The television advertisement can be viewed at the Health Promotion Agency, 18 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast during this time.
• This initiative is funded by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and has been developed by the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland in support of the Northern Ireland Physical Activity Strategy. The strategy aims to increase participation in physical activity, especially by those who are currently sedentary.
• The ‘Get a life, get active’ campaign was first launched in 1999 to provide the public with positive and motivational messages about the health benefits that can be obtained from becoming more physically active. The campaign includes television advertisements, leaflets and posters. Further information on the campaign can be accessed here.
  

For further information contact
Rosie McGaughey on 028 9031 1611 or 9031 1514.

1.Northern Ireland Health & Wellbeing Survey 2001, NISRA 2002.