Breaking barriers with Active for Health

At Places for People, we’re committed to creating and supporting thriving Communities by delivering a wide range of activities that promote health and wellbeing.

So, we are excited to introduce ‘Active for Health’, an exciting new initiative funded by the Places Foundation for 2023. This project is designed to drive behavioural change and encourage individuals to lead more active lives by providing access to exercise classes to various groups across Edinburgh.

Active for Health in Action

Since its launch in April 2023, Active for Health has already achieved significant milestones. With 28 sessions already conducted, we’re proud to have engaged a remarkable 1,461 participants spanning a wide age range from 5 to 92 years old. This success wouldn’t have been possible without our dedicated Places Leisure colleagues, led by Healthy Communities Manager (Scotland), Paul Sanderson.

Beyond just physical activity

Active for Health goes beyond just physical, it promotes a broader message of Health and Wellbeing. Collaborating with local healthcare partners, we aim to understand what needs exist that are currently not being met in our Communities.

One of the key features of Active for Health is its delivery within areas of need. By taking our initiative directly to individuals, it allows us to engage with hard-to-reach groups and individuals who may face barriers such as transport or mobility issues that limit their ability to participate in physical activities. In the past, projects of this type have struggled as individuals can be reluctant to walk short distances to attend leisure centre sessions due to fear of the unknown and negative perceptions.

Extending our reach in the Community

By working closely with our Places Leisure network, Active for Health has successfully extended its reach to three older people’s housing schemes, Norton Park, Drum Court, and Fountain Court.

These sessions cater to individuals who are deemed inactive (engaging in less than 30 minutes of physical activity per week) and are designed to improve mobility and prevent falls. Additionally, participants are offered comprehensive health and wellbeing checks consisting of essential physical tests including blood pressure, cholesterol, and waist-to-hip ratio assessments. The holistic wellbeing review, which covers lifestyle and background, can equip participants with guidance to make positive changes for improved health and wellbeing.

Shaping a healthier future

In addition to targeting older age groups, our project has extended its positive impact to the younger generation. We’ve taken proactive steps to address the pressing issue of childhood obesity by introducing weekly fitness sessions in three primary schools, situated in deprived areas, where access to PE teachers is limited.

These sessions play an important role in addressing the alarming statistic from Obesity Action Scotland in December 2021, which revealed that 36% of children in the most deprived areas are at risk of being overweight or obese.

The great news is that the project has really struck a chord with younger participants.

“We've really enjoyed our lessons with Paul in P1. He has taught the children new skills that they might not have experienced before, like rugby, boxing, and aerobic exercises. The children are very excited when I say it's PE with Paul.”

At Niddrie Mill Primary, weekly fitness classes are operating as a ‘lunchtime club’ for pupils who benefit from additional support during lunchtime due to a range of social, emotional, and physical factors.

“Paul has only been working with us for a short time but has already made a huge presence in our school with his positive attitude and flexibility. He has been on hand to help us plug gaps where we feel pupils struggle, one of which is being out at lunchtime. He started a lunchtime boxercise club which has been an amazing incentive for some of our trickiest pupils and we are very excited to continue our partnership into next year!”

Continuing the project

We are excited to see the Active for Health project develop throughout Edinburgh, supporting individuals to lead healthier lives.

To find out more or to support the project, please contact Paul Sanderson: PaulSanderson@pfpleisure.org.