New Get Active programme to address health inequalities

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority is launching a programme of activities to encourage those who are inactive, living with health conditions or facing social isolation to become more active. Under the umbrella name Get Active, the Authority is working with GP’s, health and social care teams and health support groups to encourage people to take part in a wide range of new and established outdoor activities within its 26 miles of outdoor space across Lee Valley Regional Park.

Activities in the Get Active programme include social, Nordic and sensory walking, cold water swimming, cycling for health and group exercise and multisports. There are up to 18 free sessions a week for people to choose from.

Working in partnership with health organisations and GPs, sessions in the Get Active programme can be ‘prescribed’ to individuals to support their health needs and specific activities have been created to support targeted groups, such as people living with dementia or mobility issues.

Programmes to support both mental and physical health have been developed - funded by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and partners including Sport England and the Hertfordshire Sport & Physical Activity Partnership - and are being rolled out over the coming months.

These include:

· Monthly Nordic Walking – developed in conjunction with health professionals to support people with mobility issues. River Lee Country Park, Herts.

· Swim Together - at Lee Valley White Water Centre – Cold water swimming is proven to be good for mental health. Weekly supervised inclusive, safe welcoming swim sessions in the lake will be on offer from June and run by Mental Health Swims, a community that supports those facing mental health challenges.

· Cycling for Health - Sessions are designed for riders looking to regain fitness and confidence, and those who just want a friendly cycling group. All rides are run on traffic free non technical terrain such as country parks, towpaths and bridleways. Every Wednesday at 10am at different locations in Lee Valley Regional Park.

· Lifewalks – daily group walks of varying lengths to suit all abilities aimed at the over 50s but open to all, provide opportunities to be in nature and make connections with other walkers. Held at various locations across the park.

· Sensory Walks – Our monthly walks tailored for people with complex disabilities activate the senses and enable a connection with your surroundings.

· Multisports & outdoor exercise sessions - on Walthamstow and Leyton Marshes – run by Our Parks, a range of free weekly sessions for all.

The Get Active programme provides more opportunities for people in London, Essex and Hertfordshire to be active in Lee Valley Regional Park’s open spaces and world class venues, continuing the Authority’s mission to improve the health and wellbeing of communities across the region.

Herts Sports & Physical Activity Partnership is one of the partners utilising the programme. Matt Ridley, their Active Local Officer said: “We’re proud to support Lee Valley’s Get Active campaign and the vital role they play in creating more opportunities for local residents to be active. Their partnership is helping to bring people together, reduce inequalities, and ensure that every corner of our community has access to meaningful, local opportunities to get active.”

Andrew Rix, Get Active Specialist at Active Herts, said: “Over the last year, the Active Herts programme has seen some great partnership work with the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. We have been able to enhance our programme of activities for our participants by delivering two new classes at the Lee Valley White Water Centre. The classes have enabled more sedentary residents who are living with medical conditions to make positive lifestyle changes. Without the ongoing support of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the Lee Valley White Water Centre, we would have struggled to make an impact in the Waltham Cross area”

Among the partners working with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority is Dementia Care, Enfield. A tailored one-year wellbeing programme has been created for people it supports, who attend a range of enriching activities in the Park’s open spaces, plus workshops and water activities at Lee Valley White Water Centre. As part of the Get Active offering, the team are able to develop customised sessions to meet the specific requirements of individual organisations.