‘Get moving’ with Active Belfast

£200k available to increase access to physical activity across the city
 
Schools, workplaces and community groups in the Belfast area are being urged to ‘get moving’ to secure part of £200,000 funding being made available to increase access to physical activity and promote its health benefits.
 
Working under the Belfast Strategic Partnership, Active Belfast is offering grants to successful, eligible groups of up to £25,000 in finance for projects designed to encourage people to get active, although the vast majority of grants to be awarded are expected to be in the region of £1,000 and £1,500.
 
For a second consecutive year, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Belfast City Council, two of the organisations involved in the Active Belfast partnership, have joined together to create this dedicated new fund.
 
Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive of the PHA and Co-Chair of the Belfast Strategic Partnership said: “By taking simple steps, you can make a real difference to your health and wellbeing. These changes don’t have to be drastic, and can be built into everyday life in a way which is fun and sustainable.
 
“Earlier this year the PHA launched its ‘Choose to Live Better’ campaign to tackle overweight and obesity, with a focus on small things that you can do which all add up to make a big difference. The good news is that any activity is good for you, with a recommended level of physical activity at 30 minutes per day for adults. We hope these grants will help more people across Belfast to meet and exceed this.”

Councillor John Kyle, member of the Belfast Strategic Partnership, 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 a more physically active lifestyle. 
 
“Active Belfast is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of all citizens by encouraging more people to get active, to be involved in physical activity at some level, or to become more aware of the importance of doing a little exercise every day.
 
“We all have to take responsibility for our mental and physical wellbeing and this money will go some way to helping us to achieve our aims. The funding, which is being made available to innovative workplaces, schools and community groups,  will ensure that more people can experience and enjoy the health benefits which becoming more active can bring.”
 
Grant applications are available in four categories: Active Schools, Active Travel, Active Workplaces and Active Play. 
 
Application forms and guidance notes are available from Martina Smyth by phoning 028 9050 2073, or my emailing martina.smyth@bhdu.org
 
ENDS