Pilton Community Health Project will be delivering their two-day ‘Liven-Up’ seated exercise training course next month. Continue reading LIVEN-UP: seated exercise training at Pilton Community Health Project
Tag: physical activity
Getting people active: £500 million investment has made NO difference
Over the past 10 years, the number of Scots taking part in sporting activities in Scotland has remained static, according to a new Parliamentary report. The Health and Sport Committee has found no evidence £500 million of public funding in the last year has increased the number of people getting active.
Currently, statutory support is awarded by sportscotland (£100m) and through local authorities (£400m).
These figures were revealed during phase two of the Committee’s inquiry which looks at reasons preventing people from taking part in sport and physical activities.
Convener of the Health and Sport Committee, Neil Findlay MSP said: “The variety of sports and physical activity on offer in communities is a real testament to the efforts and dedication of sport and community groups. We recognise the hard work that is going on to try and improve and expand participation rates.
“However, we are disappointed that overall participation figures have remained fairly stagnant over the past decade. In fact, we found that many of the issues raised during this inquiry have been raised before.
“The Committee believes these findings show how wide ranging decisions and initiatives across different portfolios taken at both governmental and local level can have wider impacts.
“We look forward to a response from the Scottish Government to tell us what its plans are to increase participation rates and to hear what lessons have been learned over the past decade”.
Further information is available via this link.
Least Active: Johnstone Calls For Summit To Tackle Obesity Crisis
Scottish kids bottom of physical activity league tables
Alison Johnstone MSP, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, has called for a physical activity summit after research showed that Scotland’s children are some of the least active in the world. Continue reading Least Active: Johnstone Calls For Summit To Tackle Obesity Crisis
Changing minds: government supports new physical activity programme
People with mental health problems will be encouraged to become more physically active following a near £1 million investment from the Scottish Government. The programme, a collaboration between the Scottish Government and mental health charity SAMH, will build on the well-established links between physical activity and improved mental wellbeing. Continue reading Changing minds: government supports new physical activity programme
Primary kids get set for Daily Mile
A few minutes of physical activity aids health and boosts performance
The Education and Health Secretaries have written to all primary schools in Scotland to encourage them to implement daily physical exercise as part of the school routine, through the roll out of the Daily Mile or other initiatives. Continue reading Primary kids get set for Daily Mile
Circuit Class is fitting replacement for Metafit
Thursday night’s first session of the Circuit Class attracted seven people with a further 5 older people turning up and putting themselves forward for next week’s session.
The Metafit formula was changed to allow older users to take part and, with more elder people joining the group, we are sure that the decision to ‘re-shape’ Metafit – as reported as reported in the NEN, our own website & and North Community Newsletter and Facebook – was the correct journey to make.
As word of mouth goes round we think we’ll get even busier so thanks to all who supported our news and to the participants – see you all next Thursday!!
James McGinty
NEPAF: How is it for you?
Hello all,
The North Edinburgh Physical Activity Forum (NEPAF) is nearly two years old already! PCHP has been leading NEPAF since it began in June 2013 and we are really keen to evaluate its usefulness.
It would be very helpful if you could take 10 minutes to answer the following questions and get them back to me by Wednesday 18 March. We will bring the responses together to discuss at the next NEPAF meeting in April.
1. Is NEPAF helpful, and if so how?
2. What has the impact of the forum been for you and/or your group/organisation?
3. Who have made connections with?
4. Have you done anything differently?
5. Have you started any new pieces of work as a result?
6. Do you have more information, access to more resources?
7. How often would you like to attend?
8. When is the best times/days for you to attend?
9. Do you think NEPAF should (Please tick as appropriate)
– Respond to consultations from local or national government
– Hold networking meetings
– Have meetings with speakers
– Influence decision makers (have a collective voice locally and nationally)
– Plan and deliver events together
Thank you very much for your time – we look forward to seeing you at the next meeting,
Lianne Pipskyj
Development Worker – Physical Activity, Pilton Community Health Project
Telephone: 0131 551 1671
Setting the agenda: North Edinburgh's Physical Activity Forum
How can we improve access to open spaces in North Edinburgh?
Looking forward to seeing you at next weeks’ NEPAF meeting where the theme will be ‘How can we improve access to open spaces in North Edinburgh?’ Response to this months’ forum meeting has been really positive; here is the agenda so far:
- Presentation, sharing good practice- ‘Friends of Dalmeny Park’- Tom Hoon/Out of the Blue
- West Pilton Park- Lianne Pipskyj/Clare Symonds PCHP
- Community Growing- Kate Wimpress/NEAC
- Informal/structured play on local green/brown sites- Kate Wimpress/NEAC
- Forth Neighbourhood Partnership Community plan (physical activity priority)- Jim Pattison/FNP
- Edinburgh Physical Activity and Sports Strategy- Active Lives- Sean Webster/ECC
The meeting takes place on Wednesday 10 December from 2 – 4pm
at Pilton Community Health Project, Boswall Parkway
It looks like it’s going to be a good one, can’t wait! It would be very helpful if we have an idea on numbers so if you could confirm attendance and add any agenda items by this Friday ( 5 December) that would be great!
Lianne Pipskyj (on behalf of NEPAF)
Development Worker- Physical Activity, Pilton Community Health Project
0131 551 1671
Local Health Project looking for leaders
We are looking for
VOLUNTEERS WITH ATTITUDE …
THE RIGHT ATTITUDE !
Are you the kind of person that sees a problem and wants to fix it?
Is your glass always half full? Do you have a skill that you can share with others or would you like to develop new skills?
If you can answer yes to any of these questions then read on…
Pilton Community Health Project is currently looking for Physical Activity LEADERS!
Would you like to lead a group of your own? Would you like to GET MORE INVOLVED in your community? Do you think you have what it takes to encourage others to get moving? If so, then we may have the perfect opportunity for you!
We have been encouraging and supporting local people to start up their own activities. So far we have a Bollywood dancing group and a weekly Walk/Jog Group. We would also welcome IDEAS and SUGGESTIONS for BRAND NEW ACTIVITIES.
Our walk/jog group is expanding fast and there is room for people to get involved in this activity. Here’s what some of our existing volunteers have to say about being an activity leader:
‘Becoming a walk/jog leader has given me something to focus on when not working and chance to contribute to society. It has also given me structure to my day so I have something to do.’
Phil (walk/jog leader)
‘I’ve been dancing Bollywood my whole life and I’ve always dreamt about teaching others to dance too. Volunteering as a dance leader with PCHP has given me the chance to share my love of Bollywood. Leading my own session each week has made me believe I have the skills to be a good teacher. I have met lots of new people from my community, people of all ages and backgrounds. I am proud to live in North Edinburgh.’
Savita Purran
Volunteering can be a highly beneficial and rewarding experience. It can increase confidence and self-esteem. It can also open the door to training and employment and there are great social benefits too!
Over the last year, our fabulous team of physical activity volunteers has grown from strength to strength. In fact, some of them are even award winning!
Pilton Community Health Project’s walking volunteers have just won the ‘Paths for All volunteer group of the year award’. The award recognised their dedication and team spirit that has been key to the success and expansion of the walking programme.
The ‘walking with us’ volunteers are passionate about walking and how being active can address health inequalities. Without volunteers, the project wouldn’t be able to offer an increasingly wide range of opportunities for local people. Together they effectively manage the walking groups and help others ‘take steps’ toward improving their health and wellbeing.
“I don’t volunteer to get awards, but I felt honoured that we were given our award in the Parliament – it felt that our work was really acknowledged even at the highest level,” said volunteer Liz.
If you are interested in finding out more about physical activity volunteer opportunities on offer you can:
telephone 0131 551 1671
email liannepipskyj@pchp.org
or visit www.pchp.org.uk for more information
New walk jog club hits the ground running!
Whilst many of you were possibly sitting enjoying the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games last night …
Dave and Phil’s Walk/Jog Club started here in North Edinburgh at East Pilton Park and had a great turn out for the first night! This brand new exciting activity is led by amazing and enthusiastic and experienced local volunteers and is accessible to anyone who would like to try out jogging for the first time; or second, or third….
It’s also great to see so many people getting out and using some of the fantastic local green spaces we have here in Greater Pilton too! Please feel free to spread the word about this great activity to anyone and everyone you think needs to know.
Healthy Regards
Lianne Pipskyj
Development Worker- Physical Activity
Pilton Community Health Project
