Julia ready to boost active communities across Stratford

Health and wellbeing across the Stratford district has taken a step forward, with the introduction of a new role, Everyone Active's Active Communities Instructor.

The role has been introduced following research into the physical activity level of people in Stratford, which revealed that only half of those aged 75 years and older are active.

As part of a three-year Active Communities Strategy, run by Everyone Active on behalf of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, four priority groups will be targeted - older people, women and girls, children and young people, and people with disabilities.

The aim is to transform the health and wellbeing of local residents by delivering a variety of programmes in community settings to a wide range of people of all ages and abilities.

Everyone Active, which runs Stratford Leisure Centre, Shipston Leisure Centre, Southam Leisure Centre, Studley Leisure Centre and The Greig Leisure Centre, has internally recruited Julia Reeves, based on her years of experience across the care, teaching and health sectors.

Within her role Julia will be driving a variety of projects, including Stour Health & Wellbeing Partnership which includes free activities in the Stour area, such as Walking Rugby and Seated Curling, and a 30-minute weekly Walking Group in Bishopston. Both offer low level activities to help communities in their recovery following the pandemic.

Julia, who has already been showcased her expertise by running CPR training sessions in honour of World Restart a Heart Day 2021 at Stratford Leisure Centre, is urging partners, clubs, schools, voluntary organisations, charities, community groups and local businesses who want to be more active to get in touch.

Julia said: "The pandemic has highlighted the importance of physical activity, mental health and social wellbeing. I will be working across the local community to introduce a fun and engaging programme of activity which focuses on being active, in order to promote healthy and happy communities.

"We're delighted to have received approval on funding for two key projects, aimed at those who are currently inactive and/or recovering from long term health conditions, and have already started to deliver successful sessions within our target community groups."

Cllr Matt Jennings, Culture, Tourism and Leisure Portfolio Holder at Stratford District Council said: "The appointment of Julia Reeves in this new role will help drive forward the new initiative of targeting priority groups to help get them active. Taking leisure into communities is a great way to break down the barriers people face in getting active.  We know keeping healthy and active is incredibly important and the leisure service we offer plays a crucial role in the health and wellbeing of our district's residents."

The Active Communities Strategy aligns with a £3million program of improvements Everyone Active is making in leisure centres across the district, with Stratford Leisure Centre recently launching its new Wellness Suite, a range of power assisted exercise equipment designed for those who are looking to improve their fitness, lose weight or increase their strength.   

Everyone Active, which operates nearly 200 leisure facilities across the country, encourages its customers to undertake 30 minutes of activity five times a week, two of which are in centres.

To find out more on how we can support a more active and healthy lifestyle, please email juliareeves@everyoneactive.com.