Stockton Children Active4life
NHS Stockton-on-Tees is definitely pulling out the stops to enable the children and families of Stockton to enjoy being active. NHS Stockton has teamed up with Tees Active to deliver several exciting and innovative initiatives that are proving extremely popular.
Firstly NHS Stockton has commissioned Tees Active to distribute 3000 free leisure cards to the children of the borough. The leisure cards are available at Splash, Thornaby Pool, Thornaby Pavilion and at Billingham Belasis; the card entitles the child to discounted prices to activities within Tees Actives centres.
The Sporting Start programme is probably the largest free childrens holiday activity programme in the United Kingdom and with over 8000 attendances during the last year and will be will be bigger and better this year with over 10,400 places available over 11 weeks of holidays with 22 different activities available for 3-16 year olds, this year’s programme will be the best yet.
The highly successful Young Persons Active Health Scheme is a free scheme for 5-16 year olds which is designed to offer support and advice to children and families who have concerns about their weight. Children are offered nutritional, behavioral and exercise advice and are entitled to free access to numerous physical activities within Tees Actives leisure centres. The scheme now can offer a buddy system which enables children to receive one on one support with their exercise programmes. A new family intervention programme enables families to take part in an 8 week course of exercise, nutritional and behaviour change sessions and has proved very popular.
Claire Spence, Health Improvement Specialist said “Being active at an early age promotes healthy habits that can last a lifetime and can help prevent a range of health problems in later life. NHS Stockton has commissioned Tees Active to deliver a variety of free programmes which appeal to families and provide healthy lifestyle opportunities for children and their families in Stockton”.
For further information on any of the programmes contact Paul Bambrough on (01642 528773) or visit www.teesactive.co.uk