Men's Health Week

The eighth annual Men’s Health Week commences on Monday 14th June. The theme this year is physical activity. Physical activity can improve all aspects of health, from relieving stress and anxiety to losing weight, reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes, and improving sexual performance. If it came in the form of a pill, we'd all be asking for it. Yet too many men are now physically inactive.

Nationally the Week has 3 main aims;

• To encourage more men to be physically active

• To improve male participation in sport

• To develop the potential of sports settings for delivering health services and campaigns to men

Locally, Barrow Borough Council, through the Park Leisure Centre, in partnership with Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust are co-ordinating a series of events and activities aimed at increasing participation and entry into exercise.

Different activities will be running all week, kicking off with an open day at the Park Leisure Centre on Monday 14 June. During this time men will be able to swim for free (between 12-1.30) and play badminton. Also, men will be able have a tour of the facilities – gym, studio, sports hall etc. – and sample some of the opportunities available. There will also be a health fair running in the Leisure Centre Café during the afternoon, providing information on a variety of health issues such as stopping smoking, alcohol awareness and there will also be the opportunity to have your blood pressure checked.

In addition, a series of led walks will be running over the course of the week taking in different parts of the town, each lasting between 30-60 minutes.

If golf is your bag, you can take advantage of some free group coaching at Furness Golf Centre provided by PGA qualified professional, Paul Rawlinson, you will need to buy a bucket of balls however. Furness Golf Centre are also, very generously, offering a round on the par 3 course (9 holes) free, on production of a voucher.

The free golf is one of several offers which are redeemable on production of a magic voucher. Furness Golf Centre, The Park Leisure Centre, Barrow Park and Dalton Leisure Centre are all offering very generous promotions. For the duration of the Week any man signing up to the gym at the Park Leisure Centre will not have to pay the £17.50 joining fee on production of the voucher.

Dalton Leisure Centre are extending their offers for 2 weeks and they include 1 free gym induction (booking required) 1 free aerobics taster, 3 free gym sessions and 3 free swims.

Also, Barrow Park is offering free crown green bowling, again on production of the voucher.

So where do you get hold of one of these magic vouchers? Firstly you have to register with the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation - http://www.cumbriapartnership.nhs.uk/become-a-member.htm - for free and you will be emailed your voucher (only available to residents of Barrow Borough.)

Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist health services including mental health, learning disability and drug and alcohol across the whole of Cumbria.

They work together with a range of other agencies, including Adult and Cultural Services and Children's Services, which are run by Cumbria County Council, to provide community and hospital based services.

They have been a Foundation Trust since October 2007 which allows them more freedom to decide how they deliver services locally, and make them accountable to the local community through their members and governors. For more information contact Linda Coutts on 01539 816169.

There has never been a better time to start, you are never too young or too old, so get your voucher and get involved.

For more information contact Mike Otto, Barrow Borough Council Health Improvement Officer, on 01229 876496 or mwotto@barrowbc.gov.uk