Released on: 21 October 2015
NCT and ukactive have announced an exciting new partnership to encourage postnatal mums in North Bedfordshire to become more physically active
In collaboration with NCT staff, volunteers and local mums, ukactive have specialised Let’s Get Moving, a flexible evidence-based service that supports people to be more physically active, to address concerns new mums may have about becoming active. Funded by Legal and General, this new free service is open to both NCT members and non-members and baby is welcome too.
For many new mums, becoming active or returning to activity after having a baby can be daunting and many struggle to find the time or motivation needed. Mums taking part in the programme will be offered 12 weeks of specialised post-natal support from a community exercise professional comprising of one-to-one appointments and weekly group get-togethers. From signposting to community activities, to peer-led group sessions, participants will be able to access all of the support and resources they may need to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Already operational in GP surgeries across the country, Let’s Get Moving delivers unprecedented results with participants achieving an average of 340 minutes of physical activity per week - more than double the 150 minutes per week recommended by Public Health England.
Steven Ward, Executive Director, ukactive commented “Thanks to the initial support from partners such as Sport England and Nesta, we have built the evidence base of the Let's Get Moving Service to the point that it is ready to scale. Partnerships such as this with L&G and NCT enable us to test out the programme with new audiences and in new settings, outside of primary care. The mission of getting more people, more active, more often starts even before the cradle, so we're delighted to be supporting families at such a crucial time."
Nick Wilkie, Chief Executive, NCT, said: “We’re really pleased about this new partnership and are confident it will lead to more physically active families in the area. We know that exercise and a healthy lifestyle has all sorts of physical and mental health benefits for new parents and their babies.”
NCT and ukactive are grateful to Legal and General for its generous funding of this project.
