Mid and East Antrim Borough Council are continuing their Get me Active Campaign and are offering a Physical Activity Referral Scheme to manage chronic conditions:

What is the Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS)?

Delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), and Council, PARS is a physical programme that will last 12 weeks.

Using prescribed physical activity, PARS will support referred clients with managing their chronic conditions.

What Can You Expect from PARS?

This physical programme will include the following:

• An initial consultation with a specialised exercise instructor
• Gym induction
• Reviews every four weeks to track your progress
• 12-week free membership to use the gym andswimming pool
• Reduced monthly membership fee after completingthe scheme

Who Can Join PARS?

You must be referred to PARS by your General Practitioner (GP), your physiotherapist, or your nurse.

You must also have no condition that makes exercise a risk, and:

• be 19-years-old or over
• be inactive (you do less than 150 minutes ofmoderate activity and 75 minutes of vigorousactivity a week)
• be motivated to change; and
• have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of between 25 –40kg/m2

You may also have at least one of the following chronic conditions:

• Hypertension
• Hyperlipidaemia
• Impaired glucose levels or diabetes
• Family history of heart disease
• Asthma, bronchitis, or Chronic ObstructivePulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Musculoskeletal conditions
• Mild or moderate mental health conditions

How Can Physical Activity Help You Manage Your Condition?

Physical activity will:

• help you control your weight
• help you manage painful conditions
• help prevent or reduce osteoporosis
• lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• help you feel more confident and energetic
• promote mental well-being
• reduce the risk of heart disease
• reduce the risk of developing cancer; and
• reduce the risk of developing, or help manage, Type2 diabetes

https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/resident/sport-and-leisure/physical-activity-referral-scheme

They also offer a Move More programme for people at any stage of their cancer journey.

Come and see for yourself and #GetMEActive at our three leisure sites in Mid and East Antrim.

Our activities are suitable for everyone, regardless of where you are in your cancer journey.

It also provides an opportunity for you to meet other people in a similar situation, helping reduce the loneliness and isolation often experienced by people in your shoes.

It also gives you a chance to talk to people who understand what it’s like living with the disease.

The physical activity can be group-based or individually tailored depending on needs.

It can be anything from going to the gym, walking, sports classes, gardening, swimming or anything that gets people moving more.

Physical activity before, during and after cancer treatment can help prevent and manage some of the effects of treatment, such as fatigue, depression and risks to your heart health.

Our Move More Coordinator, Paula, is a passionate advocate of the benefits of physical activity.

She is encouraging people who are feeling the impact of cancer on their physical or emotional wellbeing to get in touch.

For more information on how to get involved contact Paula on M: 07939 634 434 or E: move.more@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Media

Carrickfergus Ampitheatre
E: gemma.brown@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Larne Leisure Centre
E: john.grant@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Ballymena Seven Towers Leisure Centre
E: peter.gregg@midandeastantrim.gov.uk