Derbyshire Inclusive Fitness Initiative centres 'Get Moving'

8 October 2008

Inclusive Fitness Initiative accredited facilities in Chesterfield and Derby are among those getting involved in Get Moving Week.

Running from October 4 to 12, it is the first annual England-wide mass participation event celebrating the benefits of physical activity for mental wellbeing.

A range of different events have been organised from football and yoga to a morning of gardening. Activities are taking place throughout the whole week and on Friday, October 10 there will be a mass walk in Battersea Park, London to link with World Mental Health Day.

Meanwhile in Chesterfield, the IFI-accredited Chesterfield College Fitness Suite held a Flex and Relaxation exercise class, and throughout the week is encouraging people who have experienced mental health problems to come along with a friend and to see the benefits of exercise and that the gym is a very friendly, safe and inclusive environment to exercise in.

Derby College Fitness Centre in Mackworth is also supporting the week by encouraging people with mental health conditions into the facility by offering ‘An introduction to the gym’. Service users are invited, along with a friend, to come along to the gym to sample and learn for themselves how exercise can improve their quality of life.

In addition, on Sunday, October 12 there will be a one-and-a-half mile adventure / nature walk around Elvaston Castle. Participants will be challenged to complete the course, finding and recording landmarks along the way.

It has already been proven that physical activity can boost mental wellbeing by lifting your mood, reducing tension and stress plus giving you more energy. ‘Get Moving’ will bring people with direct experience of mental health problems together with those without these experiences to build awareness, challenge attitudes and tackle discrimination.

This is the first year of a four-year project called ‘Time to Change’, and every Get Moving participant will receive a wellbeing pack crammed full of useful tips and information on how to get exercise into their life.

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