Green Prescription expands service
Sport Taranaki’s Green Prescription service is branching out to help people connect with new ways to get active in challenging times. In New Plymouth, the team is working with providers starting new introductory activity options in 2022, and a Green Prescription team member will also work in Hawera one day a week, supporting positive health and lifestyle changes.
Green Prescription is a free health promotion programme designed to support people to make positive change and improve their health and wellbeing by being physically active and having nutritional support. Friendly, skilled advisors give support, advice and resources to people to start their healthier-lifestyle journey.
Sport Taranaki Active Lifestyles Lead Claire White says many in the community were looking for introductory, supportive environments to try new ways to get active, and it’s exciting to see more options available.
‘‘It’s about helping people find the right fit for them,’’ Claire says. ‘‘All of these opportunities give people the chance to learn some basic strengthening exercises that can be done in the gym or your home, which is highly relevant with Covid impacting our communities at the moment. It’s really great if people can have the opportunity to try something they haven’t done in the past, in a supportive environment.’’
For those wanting one-on-one sessions to learn new skills, the Western Institute of Technology (WITT) has an exciting opportunity to be part of a programme offering free personal-training sessions from a Level 5 student working towards their NZ Certificate in Exercise. All sessions will be supervised by qualified tutors and participants will get five individual training sessions together with assessments before and after the programme, which starts on May 2.
‘‘This is a wonderful opportunity to learn new skills and habits in a one-on-one setting where everyone benefits,’’ Claire says.
WITT is also offering new entry-level exercise classes at the campus gym. These simple body-weight circuit classes will be led by Level 4 students weekly on Tuesdays (7am – 8am) and Thursdays (4pm – 5pm) from early April. Entry is koha only and all sessions are supervised by qualified tutors.
The team at New Plymouth’s Latitude 39 are also gearing up with new lifestyle sessions to give people a ‘‘gentle and supported introduction to functional fitness’’. These sessions are geared towards getting people moving to make their daily activities easier.
This new six-week programme begins on March 8 and is just $5 per session, or $25
How do you sign up?
Ask your doctor or practice nurse for a referral or you can refer yourself by visiting the Green Prescription page at www.sporttaranaki.org.nz
What Green Prescription clients say:
‘‘Thanks for the calls, they give me confidence in what I can do and help me feel really supported.’’
‘‘Your calls help me stay motivated and positive.’’
‘‘You are saving my life! Thanks for all your help, something had to change!’’ for the full programme.
Things are also on the move in south Taranaki with Green Prescription advisor Emma Coombe heading to Hawera one day a week to work alongside the health team at Pinnacle Rooms, 47 Victoria Street (behind the TSB bank). Emma will be alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays in south Taranaki and is keen to make plenty of connections and help people to make a difference. People wanting to see Emma just need to make an appointment with her by contacting the Green Prescription service.
‘‘We are really excited about this opportunity to connect face-to-face, better understand community need and be able to respond,’’ Claire says.
Vaccination passes are required for all these classes and programmes mentioned in this story. Vaccination passes are not required for Green Prescription support.
❚ For more information or to register your interest in any of these opportunities, phone 06 759-0930.