Fun for all at fitness classes in Rattray
East Perthshire residents have been encouraged to take part in free weekly aerobics to help boost their activity levels and mental wellbeing.
The informal and inclusive gatherings take place from 5.15pm until 6pm each Wednesday at Rattray Hall in Balmoral Road.
Led locally by Blairgowrie-based instructor Angela Cameron, the sessions are part of a wider initiative called Get Out Get Active Tayside – more commonly known as ‘GOGA’.
GOGA is a programme that runs across the UK, supporting disabled and nondisabled people to enjoy being active together.
Made possible by ‘Spirit of 2012’ – which was set up to build on the legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games in London – the aim is to provide a platform for people to improve their health, self-esteem, mood and energy levels while fostering a sense of community.
GOGA Tayside is hosted by locally NHS Tayside, in collaboration with Scottish Disability Sport.
It was initially rolled-out in the region in early 2020 but was primarily restricted to an online programme as a result of measures introduced to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, in-person activities are now in full swing and organisers have said that just over 2500 people enjoyed GOGA Tayside activities between September last year and the middle of last month.
As well as the aerobics in Rattray, ‘walk and wheel’ events, gentle jogging, low intensity fitness classes such as yoga, dance, family swimming sessions and the ‘Grow with GOGA’ community gardening programme take place elsewhere in the NHS Tayside catchment area.
The ground-breaking wider project began in 2016, with creator Activity Alliance teaming-up partners, including Scottish Disability Sport, to help GOGA reach a wider range of people more recently.
A Scottish Disability Sport spokesperson said: “Scottish Disability Sport would like to thank Spirit of 2012
and the London Marathon Charitable Trust most sincerely for investing in the phase two GOGA programme in Tayside.
“This investment will allow us to build on the success of the first phase GOGA localities in Fife, Forth Valley and Grampian and develop an innovative approach to linking health services and physical activity opportunities to the benefit of the least active across the region.”
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “This is a very exciting time for Tayside, with the partnership between Scottish Disability Sport, Spirit of 2012, the London Marathon Charitable Trust and
NHS Tayside driving forward the GOGA Programme.
“Being physically active has huge benefits for everyone and being active together can make a significant difference to our overall health and wellbeing outcomes.
“GOGA is a fantastic addition to the physical activity work going on across Tayside at present and we look forward to supporting this important and inspiring programme.”
The Rattray sessions currently take place from 5.15pm until 6pm each week but organisers have said the times may be subject to change shortly.