Healthy Living

Sport can enrich people’s quality of life, raise self-esteem and confidence levels and provide enjoyment to individuals.

But sport also has a much larger part to play in achieving other outcomes, building stronger safer communities, strengthening the economy and developing the skills of local people, meeting the needs of children, as well as the associated health benefits.

The role of sport and physical activity in promoting health and in particular its contribution to reducing obesity and chronic heart disease is being increasingly recognised.

"There are few public health initiatives that have greater potential for improving health and well being than increasing the activity levels of the population of England."
Chief Medical Officer, DoH 2004

We provide a range of initiatives to help to promote this important message. Each town has access to a leisure facility where a  range of activities can be enjoyed from swimming to exercising in the fitness gymnasium.

In addition to this there are a range of sports coaching courses provided in rural areas to help young people develop skills in football, netball, cricket and other popular sports. But there are many parts of the population that cannot access, or do not wish to use these services, and we are trying to encourage these people to become healthier by adopting an Active Lifestyle.

Walking and Cycling are easily available to many people living and visiting the Derbyshire Dales and can help people to change their lifestyle. We provide a Walking for Health service that is aimed at getting people active. It is also a great way to meet people.

Walking for Health

Walking is a perfect way to begin to get fit, become more flexible and lose weight. We provide a service of guided walks in Matlock, Ashbourne, Wirksworth and Bakewell that help to get people started on easy track to health. Beginners' walks last no more than half an hour and can significantly improve your health.

Contact our Sports Development Officer on 01629 761381 or email rob.wilks@derbyshiredales.gov.uk

Cycling for Health

There are many dedicated cycle routes across the Derbyshire Dales which allow you to cycle for pleasure, shopping or just to get fitter. Cycling is an ideal sport to get out and enjoy the wonderful countryside in the Dales and improve your health at the same time. The Council provides coaching courses for children aged 5 to 11 to encourage more people to take up cycling.

Healthy Hearts Clubs

We run Healthy Hearts Clubs at leisure facilities in Ashbourne, Bakewell, Matlock and Wirksworth. These are run by qualified BACR Phase IV Gym Instructors where you can exercise under supervision to improve your heath.

The following links may prove useful:

• Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust (opens in a new window) have details of local contacts that you will find useful in relation to any information you seek regarding Health and Medical Care.

• The NHS (opens in a new window) always encourage a healthy lifestyle and have lots of relevant advice on their informative web site.

• Derbyshire County Council have some information about promoting healthy lifestyles in schools (opens in a new window).