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A MAJOR push has been launched to encourage older adults to stay active and independent – linked to the one year anniversary of the region’s DG Doing More physical activity campaign and website.

The website serves as a one-stop point of information on healthy activities, and is now being used to signpost a new regional programme of opportunities ranging from aerobics to kettle bell classes and park walks, developed by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Active Communities team in collaboration with Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership.

A spokesman said: “We’re delighted to be announcing a bustling programme of activity, now taking place on a weekly basis in Annan, Lockerbie, Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, Newton Stewart and Stranraer.

“These Community Activator classes will be delivered in a fun and inclusive manner, aiming to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of participants.

“This new programme builds on the work already undertaken through the DG Doing More website, which over the past 12 months has continued to grow and develop to become an authoritative regional source for information about healthy activities.

“The programmes it promotes aim to prevent de-conditioning and contribute to health and social care priorities including healthy ageing. 

“Thanks to funding from the Health and Social Care Partnership, Community Activator staff have undertaken a range of training in evidenced based physical activity delivery to ensure programmes are age and stage specific while being delivered in a safe and inclusive environment.”

To find out more information about classes near you please the visit the ‘DG Doing More’ website - https://dgdoingmore.co.uk/active-communities/

The launch of Community Activators programme ties in with the one-year anniversary of the DG Doing More physical activity campaign on 21 March 2023.

The campaign aims to encourage and enable people to be more physically active across Dumfries and Galloway.

Led by Dumfries and Galloway Council with the Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership and Third Sector partners, the DG Doing More website has been locally developed to be a one-stop shop for anyone looking to become more active in our region.

Included is practical information and resources that enable people to move more and sit less as part of everyday life. An ‘activity tool’ has been developed to provide practical ideas and advice to encourage local people to be active. 

The website showcases local people and places and shares opportunities on how and where to be active across Dumfries and Galloway from active travel, to sport, leisure and the outdoors.

Since launching in March 2022 with a ‘flashmob’ dance in Dumfries High Street, content continues to be updated to reflect new programmes, evidence and feedback from partners and users.

For example, the ‘Where to Do More’ directory of local activities has expanded and now includes specific information for people living with a health condition(s) and disability sport.

Since launch, DG Doing More website has engaged thousands of people across the region. Over 5500 people have visited the website (4.5% of the adult population of D&G), with page views approaching 18,000. The associated Active Communities Facebook page has been visited almost 16,000 times with a reach of over 100,000.

Over the next 12 months DG Doing More will continue to provide the most up to date information to support local people to benefit from being physically active. New and updated content will also be added to support Health and Social Care Professionals promote and signpost to community based physical activity programmes.

Supporting people to be physically active is important for health, wellbeing and disease prevention. DG Doing More includes content to enable people to live strong for longer with information on DG Doing More Website. 

Chair of Communities Committee, Councillor Ian Blake said “The launch of the Community Activators classes is great for the region.  Unfortunately we have a lot of older people in our communities who have lost confidence and have become de-conditioned.  These classes, together with the DG Doing More website, can help people live healthier and more independent lives. The DG Doing More is a great site for inspiring individuals to be more active.”

Vice Chair, Councillor Jackie McCamon said “I welcome the introduction of the new Community Activator classes across our region.  It is an additional boost for increasing physical activity and supporting the health and wellbeing of the people we serve.  The DG Doing More website is a vital early intervention tool for our Health and Social Care colleagues in a bid to encourage local physical activity opportunities and the prevention of long-term health conditions.”

Lead AHP for Community Health & Social Care, Lynne Mann said “DG Doing More is a fantastic resource to support everyone in our communities to be more active. This single access point provides up to date information about what activities are available in local areas. It promotes partnership working, supporting health and social care professionals to ensure everyone has information and access to being more active. Promoting living a happier, healthier life in D&G.”

For more information visit Facebook - www.facebook.com/activecommunitiesdg or www.dgdoingmore.co.uk.