Manchester gets moving

Manchester Public Health Development Service has teamed up with Manchester City Council and Manchester City Football Club to get local residents active.

Getting Manchester Moving is a year-long, city-wide campaign designed to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity.

It aims to show people how to make activity a part of every day life without necessarily visiting the gym. There will also be a strong focus on healthy eating and weight management.

The £60,000 campaign is being funded by Manchester Joint Health Unit, which aims to reduce health inequalities in the city. Manchester has some of the greatest health challenges in the country, with high mortality rates from strokes, circulatory diseases, colorectal cancer and coronary heart disease.

Increasing physical activity levels are considered vital in cutting these mortality rates. The campaign therefore aims to target people leading sedentary lifestyles, working closely with those in the community that do not access GP practices or mainstream service provision.

A range of events will be held across the city over the course of the year, with a different theme each month – ranging from healthy shopping and walking to cycling and healthy balanced lifestyles. Activities already planned include family cycle rides, sponsored runs and healthy eating BBQs.

“This initiative can help improve the quality of life of many Manchester people by focusing on the benefits of physical activity, healthy eating and weight management,” said Mark Hackett, Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture. “It shows what we can do by working together.” Details: www.gettingmanchestermoving.org