Health and Wellbeing of Adults News – November 2024
Everyday Active
Everyday Active is Active Kent & Medway’s flagship campaign helping more people to be more active in their everyday life. The website, www.everydayactivekent.org.uk is central to the campaign. It promotes activities offered by partners countywide and provides support and resources for health professionals, social prescribers, One You advisers and other partners to have meaningful and productive conversations about physical activity.
Free Workshop
The Everyday Active Workshop is for anyone wanting to improve their knowledge and understanding of the benefits of physical activity, to feel confident about having conversations with others to help get more people, more active across Kent and Medway.
- “Both presenters clearly knowledgeable around physical activity and the benefits. Their natural passion for it shined through.” Attendee
- “Highly informative and impactful, made me think about my own activity levels as well as the importance of encouraging our service users.” Attendee
Join us online for our next free workshop:
Wednesday 4 December 2024, 10:00 – 11:30. Book Your Place
Everyday Active Challenge
Jumpstart January 2025 with this new Everyday Active Challenge. Keeping active is not only good for our physical health but it’s especially important during the winter months to help improve our mental wellbeing. Whether it’s a walk to the shops, a jog around the block, a wheel in the park, a spot of gardening, cycling to/from work, an online exercise class, a game of walking football or a swim in your local pool – anything goes!
- “Logging my daily activity makes a real difference to me. Keeping track of what I’ve done shows me that I am taking it seriously and am achieving something. It keeps me going when it feels difficult.” Previous Challenge Participant
To take part, all you have to do is sign up to Kent’s free Activity Tracker and start logging your walking and wheeling activities from 1 January 2025 – 31 January 2025. Prize draw winners are randomly selected at the end of the Challenge.
Everyday Active Resources
To help spread the word about Everyday Active and encourage more people to become more active, we’ve produced some Everyday Active posters, postcards and z-fold cards which are free and available to all.
Perhaps you’d like to display a poster in your workplace or local community hall? Your local GP Surgery, Library or supermarket?
You can download our resources to print yourself or fill in an order form and we’ll post hard copies out to you. We also have digital screen versions available. Email activekent@kent.gov.uk and we can discuss your requirements.
Men's Mental Health Awareness Month
November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Active Kent & Medway is committed to breaking the silence and encouraging open conversations about men’s mental health all year round. In 2023, we caught up with Trevor and John, who explained how they use the power of being outdoors in nature and meeting like-minded people, to support their mental health.
“Meeting new people, especially people who’ve had the same experiences, is really good because you know they get it. It’s very important, that freedom and carrying on living, you know, not giving up.”
Follow this link to access Mental Health resources and support
Menopause and Movement
Every woman’s experience of perimenopause and menopause is different, but evidence shows that physical activity can help women manage and cope better with their symptoms.
Around 8 in 10 women experience menopause symptoms and they last an average of four years. Menopause typically occurs between ages 45-55 and this is an age group that is also particularly inactive, with 36% of those aged 45-54 not achieving the Chief Medical Officers guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week.
To help you, your colleagues and loved ones, move through this key lifestage, we’ve pulled together a range of local support services and resources.
Gift Ideas to Live Longer Better
Finding the perfect gift can be a challenge, especially when you want to give something that promotes a longer, healthier, and happier life.
Whether it’s for Christmas, a birthday, or just because, gifts that encourage well-being and longevity are thoughtful and appreciated. From trainers (not slippers!) to fitness gadgets and active days out, nutritious food recipes and mindfulness tools, there are countless options to help your loved ones live their best lives.
Discover our top 12 inspiring gift ideas that can be given at any time of the year (not just for Christmas!), contributing to a healthier, more active, fulfilling lifestyle.
Follow this link to discover gift ideas to Live Longer Better
Consultations - Have Your Say
Postural Stability Service
Our colleagues at Kent County Council are seeking your views on proposed changes to their Postural Stability Service to help more people improve their health and wellbeing, and live independently, for longer.
”If you have lived experience about ageing well, or expert knowledge of providing health and wellbeing support for older adults, we’re particularly interested in hearing from you about the proposed changes to our existing postural service.”
The consultation closes on Tuesday 17 December 2024.
Follow this link to have your say
Active Travel – London Road, Dartford
Active travel is journeys made in physically active ways – like walking, cycling or wheeling (using a wheelchair or mobility aid). Dartford Borough Council work with the local highway authority (Kent County Council) on active travel opportunities.
The first consultation is underway on how London Road in Stone, Dartford can be improved for walkers and cyclists. The aim is to explore how to bring health benefits and reduce congestion, air and noise pollution in Stone, by carrying out changes to London Road for bicycles and pedestrians.
The consultation closes on Friday 20 December 2024.
Find an Activity near You
Active Kent & Medway’s activity finder, powered by Played, allows you to discover what physical activity and sport opportunities are available near you.
Whether you’re wanting to join a new group, try out a new class or see what other sessions are available in your local area, the finder will help you explore what’s on offer.
If you’re a local activity provider who would like to add your sessions to the finder, you can input your details for free onto Open Sessions and the activity finder will pick up the session details from there. For support, please email activekent@kent.gov.uk and one of the team will be in touch.
Sport England Social Value Report
New research from Sport England has found that the annual social value of community sport and physical activity is £107.2 billion.
The value is made up of £96.7 billion in annual wellbeing value for adults and young people taking part and volunteering in sport and physical activity. A further 10.5 billion in wider savings to the health and social care system a year.
“Health experts have called physical activity a ‘miracle cure’. We stand ready with our partners across the sector to work with the government to unleash the miracle cure for our NHS, our economy and our future.” Tim Hollingsworth, Chief executive, Sport England
Other News & Announcements
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you
If there’s anything in this newsletter you’d like to discuss, then just get in touch and one of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible. Please email: activekent@kent.gov.uk
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