NHS Campaign Launched To Get People Fit and Active

A campaign to encourage people to take part in more physical activity was launched at the big Screen on Humberstone Gate in Leicester city centre. 

Leicester gets Active 4 Life campaign, led by Leicester City Council and NHS Leicester City  is aimed at everyone aged 14 and over in the city.

In particular the campaign will target the 14 to 25 age bracket where activity levels are lower, families and 40 to 74 year olds who are deemed at risk of developing heart disease.

It will encourage adults to undertake the Department of Health’s recommended 150 minutes of physical activity a week and for young people, 14 to 18 years old, to complete 60 minutes a day.

People who sign up to the Leicester gets Active 4 Life campaign will get a personalised activity plan, tailored to them. If, after 12 weeks, participants meet their target, they could win a prize.

Envisage Promotions, a local promotional staffing agency, furnished the event with promotional staff from the surrounding area. They managed the event and helped organise a number of promotional activities including hula hooping, roller-skating, cycling, golf and skipping to name just a few.

Nichola Clydesdale, Director of Envisage Promotions, said she was “delighted” to be asked to be involved in such a worthwhile promotion. “Anything that gives an opportunity for young people to get involved in physical activity and take an interest in their personal health can only generate positive results.”

The promotional staff and event staff also gave an opportunity to the general public to join in the physical activity and access daily exercise tips and advice.

Assistant City Mayors, councillor Manjula Sood and councillor Piara Singh Clair officially launched the campaign on Saturday. Both gave short speech about the importance of keeping fit and active and how to get started.

Cllr Sood, Leicester city council’s lead for health and community involvement, said: “People might think that 150 minutes a week for adults and 60 minutes a day for young people sounds like a lot but you can build this up very quickly.

“It doesn’t have to involve expensive gym sessions and strenuous exercise classes, you could walk to work, use the stairs, dance or do a spot of gardening – every 10 minutes count.”

Cllr Piara Singh Clair said: “People lead very busy lives these days and don’t always find it easy to make the time to exercise in addition to their other commitments.

“However the Leicester gets Active 4 Life campaign is about making very simple and small changes in order to incorporate regular physical activity that doesn’t impact on our family time, social life or work.

“Give it a try – you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Deb Watson, joint director of public health for both the city council and NHS Leicester City, said: “By building a little bit of activity into your daily life you could reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, as well as maintaining a healthy weight and strengthening bones, which helps prevent fractures in later life.

“Make the change now and start feeling the benefits.”