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Physical activity campaign bus tours Derbyshire

16 May 2008

The ‘Get Active’ Bus is being run by Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust (PCT) as part of a pilot project which has also seen the launch of a new micro-site on the NHS website ( (opens in a new window)www.nhs.uk/active (opens in a new window) ) and will encourage young people to manage their own health more effectively. If successful, the pilot could be extended to the rest of the country.

The bus will be visiting venues across Derbyshire for the next three months, including visits to Chesterfield Tourist Information Centre, Ilkeston Market Place and the Tesco supermarket at Clowne. A full list of dates is below.

Young people visiting the bus will be able to:

• Try out different physical activity programmes with the help of a ‘cyber coach’ - a virtual instructor ( (opens in a new window)www.cyber-coach.co.uk (opens in a new window) ) and dance mats
• Have a go on Derbyshire County PCT’s pages of the website ( (opens in a new window)www.nhs.uk/active (opens in a new window) (opens in a new window)) where young people can find out all they need to know about being more active, check their BMI, alcohol intake and how to be safe in the sun
• Record their physical activity story in the bus’ diary room – and win £50 shopping vouchers from East Midlands Designer Outlet if their entry is published on the www.nhs.uk/active (opens in a new window) website
• Sign up for an eight-week ‘30 a day’ exercise challenge for the chance to win a number of great prizes including a Nintendo Wii, a £1,000 shopping sprint at Westfield Derby, an iPod and free gym passes
• Talk to a physical activity advisor and find out how to customise a programme of fitness activity to fit in with everyday life
• Create computer pictures of how they will look in the future if they don’t get more active
• Use motivational tools such as video case studies of peers talking about their physical activity experiences.

Physical activity advisors from Derbyshire County PCT, Derbyshire Sport and sport and leisure staff from local authorities around the county will also be on board the bus to offer advice on local opportunities.

Gerald Beales, director of health promotion at Derbyshire County PCT said: “Inspiring young people to get more physically active is one of the key health challenges of our times. The activities on this bus are designed to show young people that there are lots of interactive, interesting, fun and cutting-edge resources that they can use to stay fit and healthy. So why not pop your head round and take the challenge – you might even win a Nintendo Wii?”

Angela Carter, active lifestyles officer at Derbyshire Sport, said: “Hopefully the ‘Get Active’ Bus and the wider campaign will inspire young people to get active. There are lots of opportunities around the county, from walking or jogging to watersports and climbing, and this campaign is all about showcasing what is already out there and showing young people that there is something for everyone and living an active lifestyle is fun.”

During May and June Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust’s (PCT) ‘Get Active’ Bus will be appearing at the following venues:

• Chesterfield Information Centre (Thursday 22 May, 11am-4pm)
• Ilkeston Market Place (Friday 23 May, 11am-9pm)
• St Albans Parish Centre, Holmewood (Thursday 29 May, 11am-4.30pm)
• Clowne Tesco (Friday 30 May, 11am-9pm)
• Ripley Market Place (Saturday 31 May, 11am-9pm)
• Shirebrook Market Place (Tuesday 3 June, 10am-5pm)
• Alfreton Tesco (Friday 6 June, 11am-9pm)
• East Midlands Designer Outlet (Saturday 7 June, 11am-5pm)
• Clay Cross – Old English Inn, Market Street (Wednesday 11 June, 11am-4.30pm)
• Killamarsh Parkside Shopping Centre (Friday 13 June, 11 am-4.30pm)
• Staveley Healthy Living Centre (Saturday 14 June, 11am-5pm)
• Duckmanton Hotel (Saturday 14 June, 6pm-9pm)

The campaign to encourage 18-24 year olds to get 30 minutes of exercise a day was launched by James Cracknell OBE, double Olympic gold medallist for rowing, on Thursday 8 May at Derby’s Westfield centre. It is being delivered by Derby City Council’s b-Active team and Derbyshire Sport in conjunction with Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust and Derby City Primary Care Trust.

It is also closely linked to Derbyshire Sport’s new Active Derbyshire campaign ( (opens in a new window)www.activederbyshire.co.uk (opens in a new window) ) which aims to get county residents more active by providing the motivation, information and ideas to get started.