Be Active… Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy; one that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

• Active Kent and Medway Gets Active
• Explore Nature and Get Healthier
• Change 4 Life
• Exercise Referral Schemes
• Join a Group
• Cycling
• Swimming
• Walking
• Information on Coaching or Setting Up a Sports Group

Active Kent and Medway Gets Active

If you want to become more active but are unsure of what is available in your area then either Active Kent or Medway Gets Active would be a good starting point. The sites include tips and information, not just on becoming more active, but on making successful lifestyle changes that you will benefit from. They also have information on exercise referral schemes, health trainers, and health walks.

If you want to look at Active Kent click here or if you want to search Medway Gets Active click here.

If you are up for more of a sporting challenge or if you want to get involved in an organised sport, then Kent and Medway have really good, easily searchable websites where you can find what is available where you live.

If you live in Kent click here to go to Kent Sport or if you live in Medway click here.

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Explore Nature and Get Healthier

If you would rather get active by enjoying the Kent countryside you could go for a walk, do a guided tour, go cycling or even just visit a park, open space or coastline, find something suitable for you by visiting Explore Kent, or Whats on in Medway.

To search Explore Kent click here or to go to What’s on in Medway click here.

If you live in north west Kent why not join a group at the North West Kent Countryside Partnership they work with local groups to get active and improve wellbeing for the community. To find out more about the project and how you can get involved watch this video.

Or you could see if there a Green Gym available near you. The BTCV Green Gym is a scheme to inspire you to improve your health and environment at the same time. In a Green Gym you will be guided through a range of physical projects in the outdoors, improving your health as well as the environment and green spaces. To look at their website click here.

There also might be an environmental project near you where you could get active, do something to benefit the environment and meet like minded people. The Muck 4 Life website can link you into fun, healthy and free environmental volunteering activities for everyone, including individuals and family groups. To explore further click here.

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Change 4 Life

Change 4 Life is the Department of Health campaign to get families and individuals to be more active and living healthier. On the website is a lot of useful information, advice and tips as well as a database of what is available in your area. To find out more and to register on the site and receive a free information pack click here.

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Exercise Referral Schemes

Exercise referral schemes are aimed at making long term lifestyle changes in physical activity levels. To qualify for an exercise referral scheme you will have to be referred by a health professional (e.g. GP, practice nurse, physiotherapist etc.) To find out about the scheme click on the link below depending on which area of Kent or Medway you live in.

• East Kent
• Medway
• West Kent

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Join a Group to get Healthier and more Active

There are many clubs and groups in Kent and Medway for you to join covering a wide variety of interests. A lot of these can also involve you getting more active, such as an exercise or dance class that gets you moving more. We have listed some ideas below but there are other ways of finding a club or group local to you. For instance when you are in towns or villages, keep an eye open for posters advertising local events, clubs or groups.

Visit your local library as they keep a list of local clubs and hobby groups. If you live in Kent find your local library by clicking here or if you live in Medway find your local library by clicking here.

The libraries also produce an online searchable database. If you live in Kent you can click here or if you live in Medway click here or look at the Connect section in Live It Well for some more ideas. To explore the connect section click here.

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Cycling

Want to get healthier and see more of the outdoors? Maybe cycling is a good way for you to do this. Cycling is clean, green, quiet and lots of fun.

If you want to find a local cycling group, please click on the link below depending on where you live:

• Kent
• Medway

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Swimming

Swimming can be both healthy and relaxing. It is great for toning the body as well as being the best form of exercise for people who have problems with their joints – as it is non weightbearing. If you cannot swim, all pools hold swimming lessons, and it’s never too late to learn this valuable skill.

To find your local pool look on the yellow pages by clicking here. There is some additional information to help find your local club / pool if you are based in Kent, search by clicking here.

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Walking

Walking is a great form of exercise, as well as getting healthier you also get to see new places and improve your mood and wellbeing. By joining a walking group you will meet new people as well as enjoying the Kent and Medway countryside. To find a nearby walking club or walking route to suit your abilities, click on the relevant link below:

If you live in Kent go to Explore Kent or here for Walking in Kent or if you live in Medway click here.

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 Information on Coaching or Setting Up a Sports Group

Time to Change have been working with Sport Relief to develop information on running a mental health sport project. Some people with mental health issues may benefit from the provision of sports projects specifically designed for them. The information toolkits that have been developed is aimed at the statutory and voluntary sector as well as sports organisations who may be interested in starting a physical activity project for people with mental health issues.

• To download the Mental Health Awareness in Sport booklet click here.
• For more information on Setting up a Sport Mental Health Project click here.
• For more information on Delivering a Sport Mental Health Project click here.

In addition, if you are looking to set up a football project and need more support please contact your local Football Association Office for:

• Coaches who want technical advice or support
• People with mental health problems who have a problem with a football opportunity, such as a club, league or a particular situation
• Clubs who want to ensure that their processes and policies are consistent with equality best practice

In Kent and Medway you can contact the KENT FA at:

CEO: Paul Dolan, Chairman: Barry Bright
Tel: Governance 01622 791850, Development 01622 792140
For their website click here.
or you can email them at: info@kentfa.com

Want to read Jasons story to see how football was a lifeline for him click here (this will take you through to the Time to Change website).

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If you would like to add a suggestion or idea for more ways of getting active in Kent or Medway, or if you want to let us know how getting active has helped you, contact us by clicking here.

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