Step up to join health campaign

STOCKPORT’S health and social care organisations are supporting a new drive to encourage residents to simply walk briskly for at least 10 continuous minutes every day.

The plan is to help people build more physical activity into everyday lives without it feeling a chore.

To help motivate people to get more active, Public Health England has launched a free new mobile app to measures duration and intensity of walking.

People are being encouraged to download the app – Active 10 – which shows how much brisk walking a person does throughout the day. Active 10 also provides tips and encouragement on how to fit 10 -minute bursts of brisk walking into the day.

Dr Vicci Owen-Smith, clinical director at NHS Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “If walking was a drug it would be regarded as a miracle cure.

“Brisk walking can lower the risk of serious illnesses like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes stroke and cancer. In addition, it can improve your mood and help you maintain a healthy weight.”

Tom McGee, Stockport council’s executive member for health, said: “I would encourage people to download the free app and see how you can build some brisk walking into your daily routine.

“You don’t need to spend money on a gym to get more active, taking a brisk lunchtime walk, walking to the shops or walking some or all of the way to work all count.”

Visit www.nhs.uk/one you/active10/home or see ‘Active 10’ online to find out more and get the app.