Roehampton Residents Offered Incentive For Healthier Living
Free gym memberships under the Roehampton Challenge
Hundreds of Roehampton residents who commit to leading healthier lives will be offered free gym or swimming memberships as part of a drive to encourage people in the area to eat well, exercise regularly and generally adopt healthy lifestyles.
The incentive has been arranged by Wandsworth Council’s public health department and will see eligible local people receiving either a gym membership at Roehampton Sport and Fitness Centre or a swimming membership at Putney Leisure Centre.
It is part of a new healthy living scheme called the Roehampton Challenge, through which residents can access a variety of health support services, community schemes or activity sessions.
In order to receive one of the memberships, residents must complete one of the qualifying requirements, such as successfully stopping smoking through the borough’s Stop Smoking service or attending at least 11 out of 12 Adult Weight Management sessions.
Alternatively, a free membership will be offered to anyone completing a Change Champion course, which is run by public health and offers anyone taking part the chance to learn more about health and wellbeing – and possibly even gain a recognised health qualification.
Council leader, Councillor Ravi Govindia, said:
“We want to help people lead healthier lives – whether this be through improving access to health services, establishing healthy living schemes or simply by creating more opportunities to get active.
“The free gym and swimming offer is just one of many elements in the Roehampton Challenge, and we hope it will inspire local people who may be looking to make a positive change in their life.”
Health initiatives featured in the Challenge include a community food enterprise, a dedicated support service for people experiencing mental health issues and free NHS health checks for people aged 40 to 74.
In addition, a Health and Wellbeing Fund has been set up through which local groups are invited to bid for grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 to provide services and activities for their communities.
Also being considered as part of the Challenge is the possibility of installing an outdoor gym in Roehampton for local residents to use at any time. Should the idea receive community support, there will be a public consultation over where to set it up.
Under the free gym and swimming offer, membership to the centres will be free for six months and then available at a 50 per cent discount rate for a further six months. Residents taking up the offer will be asked to commit to minimum attendance rate which will be reviewed on a quarterly basis.
For more information about the Roehampton Challenge – and other services on offer in the area – visit the Team Roehampton website at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/teamroehampton.
These web pages bring together all the information you need to get the most of living in Roehampton - whether it be accessing health services, finding out about education and employment opportunities or catching up on the latest news in the area.
Alternatively, learn more about the Challenge, the free gym and swimming membership offer, or other health activities and support services, by emailing cmillar@wandsworth.gov.uk.
To learn more about the Health and Wellbeing Fund contact Elaine Curley on 07956 248 057 or ecurley@wandsworth.gov.uk.
August 1, 2013