Tuesday February 21st 2017
A new strategy to promote physical activity, sport and health is being developed by Midlothian Council.
The aim is to get more people of all ages to lead an active life, and to raise awareness of its health benefits.
Local people have the chance to take part in an online survey, the results of which will help develop the strategy, which aims to make physical activity and sport a way of life in Midlothian.
The survey follows a series of local workshops facilitated by sportscotland last year, which set out the priorities and developed a framework for the initiative.
Key goals include working with schools and community sports clubs to develop opportunities for lifelong participation in physical activities and developing local facilities and the natural environment to encourage more people to take part.
A particular emphasis will be in encouraging more people from under-represented groups to get active, including young women, people with a disability, adults in later life, and people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
As well as promoting the health benefits and raising awareness of the wide range of opportunities available, the strategy aims to promote physical activity and sport as a fun, and not necessarily competitive, pastime.
The public survey is only one of a series of consultations being planned. Local people will also have the chance to take part in focus groups, and to have their own personal fitness ‘MOT’ at free sessions being organised across Midlothian.
To find out more about the new strategy and to take part in the survey, visit www.activemidlothian.org.uk. The online consultation is open until Friday 17 March.
