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Motivate to Move
Bringing a sense of fun to exercise is an important part of the Motivate to Move project. It aims to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of inactive people who are over 50.
Run by Pilton Community Health Project, Motivate to Move will recruit and train volunteers to provide chair-based exercises and walking groups to over 50s in the Pilton area of North Edinburgh, an area of social and economic deprivation.
Chair-based exercise can be important to encourage muscular movement which could, for instance, build the strength in older people’s arms to allow them to hold a kettle and make a cup of tea. House-bound elderly people can benefit from mental and physical stimulation. By creating an atmosphere where exercise becomes an enjoyable experience through company and chat, realistic and useful fitness outcomes are possible. Walking groups function as a social gathering as well as a way to exercise, and the group’s minibus means those normally without access are able to join in.
Funding would allow the training of volunteers who would buy the equipment needed in sessions, lead walking groups, and teach first aid skills. Money would also be spent on publicity to encourage isolated elderly people to join, as well as provide transport to take them to the classes where appropriate.
Older and younger people will be encouraged to volunteer with younger community members being trained over the funding period. This will benefit both the groups and the community through a better understanding between different generations.
What the group says:
Why should people vote for you?
Motivate-to-Move will make a big difference to many peoples lives in Greater Pilton, Edinburgh. Being able to take part in regular physical activity through chair based exercise and health walks will improve the health and quality of life for many older, frail people in the area. Recruiting local young people between 17-25 years and over 50s as volunteers to deliver the sessions will also have huge advantages for the community. It will build relationships between generations, create opportunities for people to learn new skills and become active in their community. Participating in this project will also have significant social benefits for many local people currently experiencing isolation. Exercise has been proven to reduce stress and treat mild and moderate depression - both of which occur more commonly in areas of poorer health like Greater Pilton.
What will you spend the money on?
We need the money to recruit, train and support volunteers. Provision of transport will enable physically frail and isolated people the chance to access the project they might otherwise be unable to. The money will also pay for essential equipment to run the sessions. Publicising the project will be essential to allow people to become involved, either as participants or volunteers. The project will also be rigorously evaluated to ensure the project is effective and public money is being well spent.
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