ACTIVE health
active health
Active Health is a free and confidential one-to-one advice service for people (aged 16+) living in the NHS Highland area who would like to become more active to help their physical and/or mental health. Ask your GP or other healthcare professional to refer you or you can refer yourself direct.
“It has helped massively and has changed my perspective. I have most definitely become more active, walking more and doing things I didn't think I was capable of.”
what is active health?
Our Active Health project supports people to become more active as a way of improving their health and wellbeing.
There is no cost to participate and we work with anyone registered with a GP practice in the Highlands who would benefit from being more physically active.
“Prior to taking part in the project I did virtually no exercise. Meeting up with the link worker has given me
the necessary motivation to get moving and enjoy it. It came at the right time and gave me the
kickstart I needed”
how can active health support you?
One of our Link Workers, Lisa, Jodi or Tom, will meet with you to discuss your motivation, interests, hopes and challenges. We understand it can be difficult to make changes and support you to take small steps towards activities you enjoy. It can be helpful to set goals and create a plan to keep track of how you’re getting on.
We currently work 1:1 by video call (or phone). We usually have 3 appointments spread over 3 months but there is some flexibility here and can be extended.. The initial meeting is up to 1 hour, followed by 2 x 30 minute reviews.
Sofia’s story
Watch this video of Sofia, one of our Active Health participants, to hear how the project has helped her.
For clinicians and refers
Find out how we work and what others are saying about us.
FAQs
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Being more active has lots of benefits:
it can reduce your stress and anxiety
it protects you against chronic diseases
it helps maintain your muscle strength and balance
it helps with joint pain and reduces stiffness
it gives you more energy and improves your sleep
Making changes can be a really hard thing but help is available. Our Active Health project can support you to work out what sorts of activities would fit best with your lifestyle. Even if you’ve never been active or are living with or recovering from a medical condition, we can help you to find ways of being active that are enjoyable and will work for you.
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Our friendly Active Health link workers will help you:
explore motivation, interests, challenges and hopes
set goals and form an activity plan
link in with local opportunities to get more active
discover online resources
We work with people 1:1 (usually by video call or telephone) and offer advice tailored to your needs, with follow-up sessions as needed. This is a completely free service.
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The range of activities we discuss can be wide and varied, from walking to tai chi, pilates to ping pong, and all sorts in between.
It doesn’t have to involve organised group activities, you might prefer to build up short walks from home, move around the house, or join in with family activities.
quotes from active health participants
“I feel much better in myself after walking, clearer head, more energy and feel much more positive about things, also feel really refreshed.”
“It’s helped me to see things differently, to notice changes in my activity levels and be more conscious of what I’m doing.”
“It has helped massively and has changed my perspective. I have most definitely become more active, walking more and am doing things I didn’t think I was capable of.”
“I enjoyed the motivation that the sessions provided, I stuck to my plan throughout and didn’t get bored.”
Meet the Active Health Team
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Jodi, Lisa & Tom
Active Health Link Workers
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