Active For Life
What is Active for Life?
Active for Life is a Physical Activity Recovery Programme. It is designed to enable people who experience complex secondary mental ill health and are currently inactive, to discover the benefits of being more active.
What does the scheme involve?
Active for Life involves you working with a Health Coach to increase your levels of physical activity. Working together may enable you to:
• Find activities you enjoy and which fit with your lifestyle.
• Design, agree and follow a personalised activity plan.
• Develop confidence, learn new skills and improve your fitness.
Throughout the scheme the Health Coach will offer an agreed level of support and encouragement to help you increase your activity levels and enjoy the many benefits regular physical activity can offer.
Activities available whilst on Active for Life
Active for Life Walk
Getting outdoors and walking is a great way to improve both your physical and mental health. Walking as part of a group is also a fantastic way to keep motivated and meet new people.
The Active for Life Walk are free and lead by Wellness Coaches and Walk Leaders who can support and guide you as you become more active.
Generally, the walks take place within local parks and or where there are rest places available. The walks are particularly beneficial for people with low fitness levels, low confidence when walking and or those who simply want to enjoy a low-level walk in the company of others.
Once people have built up their fitness and confidence to walk, they will be encouraged and supported to move into other mainstream walking offers within the community.
| Location | Meet Point | Day | Time | Live Updates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huddersfield Leisure Centre | Outside Huddersfield Leisure Centre | Wednesday | 1pm | Ongoing |
| Wilton Park, Batley | Car Park between the pond and cafe | Thursday | 1.30pm | Cancelled this week and will restart on 27th February |
Active for Life Activity Hour
The Active for Life Activity hour is run every Wednesday 1.30 – 2.30pm at Greenhead Park, Huddersfield and is free.
Whilst attending the activity hour, there is a chance to partake in several activities such as bowling, tennis, walking, boccia and many more. Each activity is linked to a community group that is run in the park so there is a chance to carry on the activity in the community.
| Location | Meet Point | Day | Time | Live Updates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenhead Park | Community room by the tennis courts | Wednesday | 1:30pm | Ongoing |
Cycling
Cycling is a fantastic way to raise your heart rate, improve cardiovascular function, and enhance your overall fitness level whilst in a social setting.
To partake in the cycle session, the participant must be able to ride a bike, The aim is to build confidence and fitness so that the participant may move onto a community group to continue with their journey. Bikes and helmets are provided.
| Location | Meet Point | Day | Time | Live Updates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spenborough Running Track, Bradford Road, Dewsbury WF15 6EG | Meet Track side near containers just off the track. Bikes will be out and a member of staff to greet you. | Monday | 12:30pm | Ongoing |
| Leeds Road Sports Complex | Reception Area | Thursday | 1:30pm | Ongoing |
Active for Life 1-1 in the Gym
Active for Life can also support participants in the gym by providing 4 weeks of 1-1 work introducing them to the machines and giving them a programme to follow to help improve fitness and confidence when in a gym setting.
Whilst on Active for Life the participant will get a 4 week FREE membership to the sports centre where they will be able to access the gym, swimming and exercise classes with weekly goal setting sessions to help improve confidence. The participant will get a programme tailored to their needs and supported for 4 weeks. Once the 4 weeks is over and the participants have attended sessions at least 6 times they will then move onto a subsidised membership for the year.
The sign up and tour of the facilities will be on the first Friday of each month and after that the participants will receive 1-1 gym sessions. The table below shows the dates of the sign up and tour of the facilities.
**(At the minute it is only at Huddersfield Sports Centre but will be at a north site soon)**
| Date | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 7th February 2025 | Huddersfield Leisure Centre | 9:30am |
| 7th March 2025 | Huddersfield Leisure Centre | 9:30am |
| 4th April 2025 | Huddersfield Leisure Centre | 9:30am |
| 2nd May 2025 | Huddersfield Leisure Centre | 9.30am |
| 6th June 2025 | Huddersfield Leisure Centre | 9.30am |
How much does Active for Life cost?
The basic Active for Life service is free of charge. This includes regular one to one meetings, activity plans, information and support as agreed between you and the Health Coach.
Some activities, including walking and cycling are also free. However, there is a charge for other activities, such as activity classes, swimming and using a gym.
How can I join?
You need to be referred by a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN). They will decide whether your health could benefit from some regular activity and can complete a referral form to enable you to join the scheme.
Your CPN can refer by clicking on the ‘Refer to the Wellness Service’ button on the right hand side of the screen.
Mental Health for you and others
The Mental Health for you and others is a FREE course for anchor groups, community groups or workplaces dedicated to helping you support your own mental health and the mental health of others. This course will help raise your awareness of mental health issues and offer insight into ways of coping with challenges.
The 3 hour course will cover:
- What is mental health?
- Perceptions associated with mental health
- What does good mental health look like?
- Influences on mental health
- Coping mechanisms
- Practical breathing techniques and relaxation
- Mental Health in others
- How to support someone in crisis
- Resources
If you are interested in hosting a mental health for you and others course, please contact the Wellness Service on 01484 234095 or email wellness.service@kirklees.gov.uk.
