Health promotion

Health outreach programmes
To improve the health, fitness and general well being of target groups in Southall and Acton, Active Ealing’s sports outreach workers offer a range of services. Supported through funding from Ealing Primary Care Trust, the objectives of the sports outreach workers are to:

provide physically and mentally stimulating classes for older adults that aim to provide gentle exercise and companionship with other people in similar circumstances
increase the number of young people, people with disabilities, people from black and minority ethnic groups, girls and young women taking part in physical and/or recreational activities
create new opportunities for people to become active
work with community groups and take exercise/physical activity to these groups
give people at risk of disease through lack of exercise and those with existing conditions, support and knowledge of how to exercise safely to improve their health and manage their condition, improve social interaction, increase self-confidence and promote community cohesion

Acton Sports Outreach
During the first three years of funding, this programme has successfully delivered a wide range of classes and opportunities to enable people in Acton to become more active. Activities include:

exercise classes for people with physical and mental (or psychological) health needs
exercise classes in three venues for older people
basketball coaching for 11–16 year olds
a series of talks about the benefits of physical activity
helping to deliver holiday activity programmes for children and young people
an exercise class for people with physical disabilities

The project has secured one year of further funding and will continue to deliver opportunities for more people to become active in Acton.

For more information contact Austin Lumley on 07733 303598 or email austin.lumley@ealing.gov.uk.

Southall Sports Outreach
Over 150 people take part every week in this outreach project. Activities make use of local venues
and sessions are subsidised or free. The outreach worker also provides information at community events
and advises local groups on healthy active lifestyles. Outreach sessions currently available:

ladies-only keep fit sessions at Havelock community centre
light exercise to music for people aged 50 plus at Neighbourly Care
gentle exercise for beginners at Golf Links Community Centre
led health walk around Southall Park
a badminton club night for adults at Southall Sports Centre
badminton sessions for 12–16 year olds
ladies-only gym sessions at Southall Sports Centre

The Southall Sports Outreach worker speaks Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu.

For further information contact Sumir Vaid on (020) 8825 5039 or 07966 532688 or email sumir.vaid@ealing.gov.uk.

Active 4 Health scheme
The Active 4 Health exercise referral scheme, which started in February 2003, came to an end on 31 May 2006. New referrals to the scheme by health professionals are no longer being accepted.

Ealing Primary Care Trust (PCT) may launch a similar scheme in the future.

Active 4 Health scheme (word)
Background information and end of scheme report.