Falkirk Council

 

What is the 'Let's Make Falkirk More Active' campaign going to do?

The Let's Make Falkirk More Active campaign is working to:

• make it easy for you to access leisure facilities
• ensure that you know what is already available to you
• introduce things that you might be interested in
• improve the physical activity services in your schools, leisure centres, paths and green spaces
• ensure that there is a good communication link to keep you updated with the things that are going on

What will the strategy do . . .

• . . . for active communities 
• . . . for active schools
• . . . for active travel to schools
• . . . for active travel in the community
• . . . for active children, young people and families
• . . . for active older people
• . . . for active outdoors

. . . for active communities?

Our focus is to encourage local communities to engage more in active lifestyles, we want to support the number of people participating locally, also the frequency with which people participate in physical activity. We hope to encourage healthy lifestyles through increased participation. To achieve this we will make better use of and improve the quality and safety of existing local facilities. This will provide local people with more choices to be physically active more often through offering relevant, accessible and targeted services which improve health, fitness and well-being.

We will also advertise existing services more effectively to give greater physical activity options.

. . . for active schools

In Falkirk, we have eight part-time Active School Co-ordinators (Secondary), together with eight full-time Active Primary School Co-ordinators who develop sport initiatives, promote physical activity and provide support on other topics including health promoting schools, Active Travel and Club links.

The fundamental aim of Active Schools is to give school-aged children the tools, motivation and opportunities to be more active throughout their school years and into adult hood. These opportunities are available before, during and after school, as well as in the wider community.

To find out more about what's going on in your child's school check out the Active Schools pages.

. . . for active travel to schools

Active Travel for school pupils is a Scottish Government initiative aimed at increasing the number of young people who walk or cycle to school, rather than going by car or by public transport. Pupils are supported through Active Primary School Co-ordinators who provide training using the Scottish Cycle Training Scheme.

For more information on more active travel to schools why not have a look at the following websites:

• www.saferoutestoschools.org.uk
• www.cyclingscotland.org.uk
• www.sustrans.org.uk

. . . for active travel in the community

Active travel is about promoting walking and cycling opportunities as health-enhancing physical activity. In Falkirk we aim to increase the number of people improving their health and physical activity levels through active travel: walking and cycling.

To achieve this, the key partners are working together to help create cross-cutting initiatives so that active travel and its promotion become part of every day life in Falkirk.

Initiatives in Falkirk include:

• local walking and cycle paths
• Local Transport Strategy
• Open Space Strategy
• Outdoor Access Strategy
• Paths to Health
• Safer Routes to School
• School Travel Plans 
• Scottish Cycle Training Scheme
• Step Forth 
• Sustrans

. . . for active children, young people and families

We aim to maximise the opportunities for safe and active living for all children, young people and families, establishing and promoting physical activity as part of daily life.

This will be achieved through a variety of programmes including:

• early years: active nurseries, active play and active families
• children and young people: Active Schools
• families: active communities, active families, active travelling

. . . for active older people: 'growing older, growing stronger'

Physical activity is effective in dealing with many health problems in later life as well as giving people the chance to meet new people and remain mentally active.

In particular, physical activity does the following, it develops and maintains strength, it develops and maintains postural stability and it is effective in preventing and treating depression ad mood swings. 

It is recommended that for adults aged from about 55, including those who are frail that they take part in three sessions in strength and balance exercises a week.

If you are at all concerned about your health, you should contact your GP before participating in physical activity. They may suggest that you are prescribed physical activity through a referral scheme such as Active Forth.

 

. . . for active outdoors

It's easy to be active outdoors. Using active transportation and being active with other people are great ways to bring more activity to your day. Choosing activities that are simple, affordable, and fun will mean you're active more often outdoors.

There are many trails and paths for biking and walking in Falkirk, encouraging more people to be more active outdoors, using active transportation.

You don't need expensive equipment, just some comfortable shoes, or a bicycle and maybe a friend for company.

Falkirk Council Community Services offer a range of healthy outdoor activities to suit all ages and tastes for adventure.

The outdoor team have been offering outdoor activities for 13 years, giving everyone the opportunity to experience the outdoors in a safe and exciting way.

Some of the activities offered include biking, canoeing, kayaking, blo-karting, climbing, rambling, walking, gorge walking to name but a few.

What ever your sport and level of interest the outdoor team can offer a day to remember. See the Outdoor Activites| pages for more information.

The Falkirk Council Outdoor Learning Team support outdoor learning in schools throughout Falkirk Council. They also offer holiday programmes and clubs. For further details email: outdoorlearning@falkirk.gov.uk |or call 01324 506806.