Be Active

Individuals

• Use the stairs instead of the lift.
• Walk to colleagues to talk with them instead of phoning.
• Sports groups often have free Have A Go days in spring with equipment and tuition provided – look out for what’s on offer locally.
• Try an activity you haven’t tried before
• Get off the bus one stop earlier than your stop.
• Volunteer to walk a friend’s or neighbour’s dog.
• Cycle to work instead of driving.

Families 

• Take a family walk – after dinner or a longer one on the weekend. Let family members take turns to choose where to go.
• Support family members in sports training – join them on runs, cycling or swimming – it can get lonely!
• Play family outdoor games – touch, backyard cricket, volleyball etc – invite the neighbours too!
• Family dance-off with different members putting on music.

Communities

• Organise a dance day – Celidh / Bollywood / Hip-Hop / Latin / Line Dancing…
• Organise walking tours of local places of interest in your community or suburb.
• Take part or organise a fun run/walk to raise money for your local mental health community group.
• Invite several families to participate in an annual cricket or similar neighbourhood match at the local park, bring a BBQ.
• Start a regular casual beach volleyball or soccer game with friends – invite passersby to join in every week.

Schools

• Adopt a local park and go down to clean it up. Teachers could liaise with council.
• Student organised activities for staff, e.g. dance-off for teachers.
• Senior students could put together an obstacle course for junior school.
• ‘Top Town’-style events between classes with wacky, fun activities that everyone can participate in.
• Start or join a walking bus for school children. 

Older people 

• Try tai chi classes for strength, balance and mental wellbeing.
• Join supported swimming or ‘water walking’ groups at your local pool.
• Bring activity into the everyday, e.g. don’t use the remote.
• Join a bowls, croquet or similar sport to be active and meet people at the same time.

Workplace

• Take the stairs instead of the lift when moving between floors
• If possible, walk or cycle to work for a week instead of driving
• Find out the most popular sport among your colleagues and then organise a match or tournament for staff
• Form teams in the workplace and track how far each one walks/cycles/swims over the week (or longer) – set a target distance and try to be the first team past the post!

Working with Primary Health Care/Health Professionals

• Promote the green prescription to GPs
• Work with Public Health Organisations to supply posters for GPs waiting rooms on the benefits of exercise or mental health and wellbeing in general.