‘So Go!’ – Solihull Council’s year-long physical activity campaign is encouraging all residents to get active this new year, with a wide range of free and low-cost activities available across the borough.
Targeting everyone, from people who aren’t active, right through to those who already undertake some form of regular exercise. So Go! aims to help people find an exercise that works for them, regardless of age, long-term health conditions or ability. To ensure So Go! is relevant for local people, real Solihull residents feature in the campaign, taking part in various physical activities. Increasing awareness of a variety of exercise ideas and motivating residents to try an activity they’ve never tried before, are ways in which people are being supported to ‘get active’.
Activities and ideas for moving more, more often, include well known exercises such as swimming, table tennis, cycling, nature walks and running. As well as less obvious activity suggestions, many of which don’t require you leaving your home, such as gardening and chair based stretching and simple movement exercises.
North Solihull Sports Centre and Tudor Grange Leisure Centre offer extensive exercise options, whilst the boroughs parks and open spaces include a hidden collection of opportunities for all age exercise including outdoor gym equipment, table tennis tables, cycle and BMX tracks, tennis courts and pathways which include wildlife walks and nature reserves.
Accessible exercise for disadvantaged groups and those whose physical activity levels have been impacted the most by Covid, can find ideas and inspiration that suits their needs and budget. To make it easy for everyone to get involved, see lots of ways to get moving, here www.solihullonthemove.co.uk/get-moving/
In addition to the obvious physical benefits, the campaign will be promoting the significant mental health ‘feel good’ factor associated with getting active, as well as the relationship benefits, such as meeting new people and the feeling of reward and achievement.
Cllr Diane Howell, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Communities, said: “Covid had a huge impact on mental health, as well as restricting opportunities to keep fit, such as going to the gym or meeting up with friends for a walk. So Go! is the ideal way to showcase the huge range of activities and opportunities available across Solihull, for all ages and abilities, many of which are available to access at no cost. It’s also great to involve Solihull people in the campaign, with residents photographed taking part in a variety of exercises – we hope this will inspire many others in the borough to try a new exercise or activity.”
Organisations, clubs and groups in Solihull can also benefit from the campaign, by downloading a toolkit which includes a range of posters, leaflets, social media posts and assets, that can be customised with their own activity information.
For details of activities, ideas and inspiration to motivate everyone to ‘So Go! and get active’ and to download the toolkit, visit the new Solihull On The Move website at www.solihullonthemove.co.uk/sogo
Sign up here – ticking the Solihull Active newsletter, to receive updates and information about activities, practical opportunities and tips to keep you active.