By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice
From the 11th to 18th May the Get Out Get Active (GOGA) Programme is partnering up with Dundee Green Health Week and Dundee Green Health Partners (Dundee GHP). The Green Health Week is a Nature Scot initiative, that has four partnerships across Scotland – Dundee being one – that is aspiring to showcase the benefits of green spaces across Scotland. In addition, it aims to highlight how successful partnership working can have a positive impact on individuals’ psychological and physiological health through demonstrating the use of green spaces for physical activity.
GOGA is a collaboration between NHS Tayside and Scottish Disability Sport with the aim of strengthening links between physical activity and health. As people with disabilities are almost twice as likely to be physically inactive (43%) than those without a disability (23%) it is essential that our communities are encouraged to move more throughout their typical week and the GOGA programme is enabling many to do just that.
GOGA’s partnership with Dundee GHP can help promote their work and provide more individuals across Tayside with opportunities to participate in outdoor physical activity. Lynsey Gerrie, GOGA Tayside administrator, explains why it is important to alter trends around physical activity.
“There is a significant evidence base for the benefits of being outdoors on our health and wellbeing, both physically and mentally.”
With both the GOGA programme and Dundee GHP being supported by NHS Tayside, there is an opportunity to influence trends around outdoor activity.
“Not only is it important for the NHS to get people outdoors and active but sustainability is also key. Therefore, we support these aims by offering activities on NHS sites and in the community,” said Lynsey.
The GOGA programme is familiar with delivering outdoor activities, often using non-traditional spaces which proves to be an appealing aspect for many.
Lynsey said: “Feedback from deliverers and participants have been very positive. As we deliver in non-traditional fitness settings, we are always trying to be more resourceful when it comes to where our classes take place to break down certain barriers in attending, for example, developing confidence.”
“Delivering [activities] outdoors provides an excellent opportunity for us to do this. This helps people attend who wouldn’t necessarily access other opportunities.”
Providing physical activities within these areas also promotes fun and social opportunities. This has been a key focus of GOGA: “Above all else, our classes are designed to be fun. The opportunity to be active is almost supplementary to the enjoyment aspect. If people are enjoying themselves, they are more likely to sustain these physical activity levels which helps us to change misconceptions of physical activity not being for everyone.”
She continued to say: “Lastly, the fact that people are moving more than they possibly would have, is great for their physical health.”
When looking at GOGA’s involvement in Dundee’s Green Health Week and their partnership with Dundee GHP, there is an amazing chance to provide the Tayside area with more opportunities to become physically active.
GOGA Tayside is an entirely participant-centred model. Lynsey explains the goal is, “To allow us to break down even more barriers of participation. We want to offer sessions in whatever way is comfortable to the participant, rather than expecting them to adjust.”
“Therefore, we have classes in community settings across Tayside, indoors and outdoors, online and within NHS settings, allowing us to cover more bases to help more people feel comfortable to attend. Trying to find them the right activity in the right place that suits them.”
You can find out more about GOGA and their opportunities, here. To learn more and participate in Green Health Week, visit here.