Pooled resources to boost physical activity

15 June 2012

Work and community groups are being urged to get moving and grab some of the £150,000 on offer to increase access to physical activity and promote its health benefits.

Working under the Belfast Strategic Partnership, Active Belfast is offering grants to groups of up to £25,000 although the vast majority of grants are expected to be in the region of £1,000-£1500.

Belfast City Council and the Public Health Agency (PHA), two of the organisations involved in the Active Belfast Partnership, have each pooled a portion of their budgets to create the new fund.

Chairman of the council`s Parks and Leisure Committee, Councillor Gerard McCabe said: “Active Belfast is about getting Belfast on the move, encouraging more people to get active, either involved in sport or more aware of the importance of doing a little exercise every day.

“Being active is important at all ages, and even gentle exercise, a daily walk for example, makes a difference to your health. We all have to take responsibility for our mental and physical wellbeing and this money will allow groups out there to help us do something about it.

“It will help local communities to help themselves by making greater use of leisure and other facilities and allowing clubs to organise new and different events to encourage people to get involved,” added Councillor McCabe.

Grant applications are available in three categories, Active Travel, Active Workplaces and Active Play. Two levels of grants are available. Priority 1 applications can receive up to £25,000 and the Partnership expects one application in each programme area.

Séamus Mullen, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement for PHA in the Belfast area said: “We are delighted to offer this opportunity for groups in the Belfast area to work with us to help increase access to physical activity opportunities and also help raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity.

“Evidence about the benefits of physical activity is now overwhelming, one could say `titanic` and it doesn`t just mean sports - the good news is that any activity is good for you. The recommended level of physical activity is a minimum of 30 minutes per day for adults.”

Application forms and guidance notes are available from Martina Smyth by phoning 028 9050 2073, or my emailing martina.smyth@bhdu.org

ENDS

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