Oban on track to be first ‘health town’
Oban is well on its way to becoming Scotland’s first ‘health town’.
The journey officially started on Saturday at a health fair in Atlantis Leisure, where people were encouraged to try out a new activity or sport.
Dozens of organisations that help to improve people’s health, turned out to offer advice. Attendees were also given the opportunity to take part in taster sessions, such as walking football, CPR training, tennis coaching and Tai Chi, as well as other sports and fitness classes.
Roy Clunie, a volunteer director at Lorn and Oban Healthy Options, said: ‘We are launching Oban as Scotland’s first healthy living town. Forty per cent of the population is not active enough to stay in good health, but today is not about being scared.
‘In Oban we have fantastic organisations. What we are doing and what these organisations do is fantastic, but it’s still reactive. We want people to stay healthy – that’s what healthy Oban is all about.
‘There are 150 different organisations either directly, or indirectly, improving our health. Not just sports clubs and gyms, but walking and social groups. They all improve our health, reduce isolation and loneliness, and get us active.
‘As a town we have our own sports centre, a cinema, and we are working towards having a community centre at Rockfield. Today, we are saying to the Oban community, this is us making a commitment and the journey has started – and the journey will never end. This is a long-term project.
‘It’s a mindset. We never think, “I am going to brush my teeth today”, we just do it. We want the same for exercise – we just go for a walk.’
Discussing the next steps, Roy said: ‘We have a group of committed people from voluntary organisations who are all pulling together. We just want to support, encourage and provide opportunities for people. We need to support these organisations.’
Andy Spence, chief executive of BID4Oban, said: ‘We have a keen interest in what’s happening with Oban as a healthy town. It’s essential to the residents and the businesses that we support this and make it a success.’
Councillor for Oban North and Lorn Elaine Robertson said: ‘We are so fortunate to have a community that responds to a call such as this one. This includes physical and mental health because unless you have both, your well-being and quality of life are diminished.
‘Unfortunately not everyone enjoys good health, but we can all do something to help ourselves. Exercise does as much for us than anything prescribed. Just get out there and go into the community and you will feel better.
‘One of the great things about being the first is you can’t make a mistake as there are no rules. Having fun and enjoying yourself is better than any medicine. Look around and see if there’s any activity you might enjoy – such as walking football.’
More photographs at www. obantimes.co.uk