Oxfordshire has a new county-wide project to support people with diabetes into physical activity.
The project is being delivered by five district councils, including South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils and Oxfordshire Sport and Physical Activity and is funded by the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning group.
Adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can sign up to receive motivational coaching sessions, subsidised activities and ongoing telephone support and advice on managing their diabetes. They can also sign up to take part in 12 week StepWatchers programmes where they receive free pedometers and motivation to increase their step count.
There are currently more than 28,000 people registered as having diabetes in Oxfordshire and about 2,200 are newly diagnosed each year.
With type 2 diabetes, physical activity is an important component of your treatment plan. Not only does exercise affect your heart health and lower your blood glucose levels, but it can improve your confidence and sleep quality.
Cllr Charlotte Dickson, Cabinet member for community services at Vale of White Horse District Council said: “We are very pleased to be able to help deliver Go Active, Get Healthy which is a programme targeted specifically for people with diabetes and aims to help motivate and support those who need it to become more physically active.”
Cllr Lynn Lloyd, Cabinet member for leisure services, arts and housing at South Oxfordshire District Council said:” We hope that through this programme, those who need the help will take advantage of the free coaching sessions, long term support and access to a range of great classes and opportunities.”
Ed Nicholas, Physical Activity and Sport Manager at Oxfordshire Sport and Physical Activity added: “The prevalence of diabetes amongst the population of Oxfordshire means that it is time to provide interventions to support them with their condition.
“I am delighted that we are in place to support people into activity. I am also delighted to see all the districts across Oxfordshire continue to support their respective residents. Wehope that residents welcome this scheme and take sustainable physical activity into their lives.”
If you are interested in this scheme, simply complete our Diabetes Survey here https://www.getoxfordshireactive.org and a member of our team will be in touch. Alternatively, you can call us on 01235 422226 or email us hendriette.knouwds@southandvale.gov.uk.
Call to action. Go Active Get Healthy is a programme designed to support people with diabetes with physical activity interventions. Please visit the scheme website for further information and to self-refer onto the programme and find out more about activities taking place across the county
https://www.getoxfordshireactive.org/
Please also follow the scheme on social media