County Community Trust (CCT) – Health Programme Support
What we do:
County Community Trust is committed to improving the health and well-being of people of all ages and abilities across Stockport and the surrounding area to help make a positive difference to their lives. Our aim is to engage and inspire all generations and to support those in our local community by encouraging learning and promoting healthy lifestyles that can improve their quality of life.
Our Health and Well-being programme is vast, supporting children, young people, adults, and senior citizens as well as those with a range of physical and learning disabilities, mental illness, dementia and complex needs. We want to reach out to vulnerable people who may be living in loneliness and social isolation by providing opportunities, making a positive difference, improving their health, mental wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem. By providing valuable community support and outreach across Stockport, Greater Manchester, Tameside, High Peak and Cheshire, we want to offer a range of programmes and activities that promote social inclusion, health and wellbeing and disability and sports participation projects.
Working alongside several key regional partners and national health agencies, the CCT team deliver a range of initiatives, promoting physical and social well-being activities to encourage a healthy lifestyle, ensuring people have access to information and advice to achieve success in delivering school-based health programmes such as Fit4Life. Our provision also includes weekly football and sports coaching sessions, tournaments for children and young adults living with disabilities and mental illness, a walking football group for senior citizens and those with dementia as well as a weekly drop-in Social Well-being group at the ground for vulnerable people in the community.
Mental Wellbeing:
As you can imagine, the numbers of people in our community coming through the pandemic suffering with mental illness, loneliness and living in social isolation will have increased massively and our Community Trust support and Social Wellbeing Groups will be more important than ever. One way to enhance people’s mental wellbeing and protect their mental health is through participating in physical activity which has been shown to have a strong and positive influence. Participation in regular exercise can increase self-esteem, reduce stress and anxiety and help play a role in preventing mental health problems as well as improving the quality of life for those experiencing them.
Evidence shows a 20-30% reduction in depression in adults who participate in physical activity dailyas well as having potential advantages over antidepressants, with fewer side effects, physical activity being available to all, few costs attached and being an empowering approach that can support self-management. There is also clear evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of cognitive decline in adults with a 20–30% risk reduction in developing dementia amongst those participating in daily physical activity.
Benefits for young children:
Physical activity can increase confidence and self-esteem, reduce depression and anxiety and decrease stress in children. Children who develop the habit of regular physical activity at a young age have lower rates of depression and anxiety than their less active peers. Exercise releases endorphins in the brain that elevate a person’s mood along with their energy levels. Experts say physical activity allows children to have a better outlook on life by building confidence, managing anxiety and depression, and increasing self-esteem and cognitive skills.
Just by participating in any kind of sporting activity, this is proven to be good for children’s mental health as they can learn positive skills such as accountability, dedication, and leadership. While sports not only help in developing physical and mental health, it also develops students life skills by enhancing their capabilities and helping them to have a better understanding of themselves. Sports can also help in developing social skills and getting along with people.
What are the health benefits of playing sports?
Playing sports contributes to:
- Muscle development
- Coordination
- Cardiovascular health
- Benefits associated with disease prevention
- Physical activity can help ward off chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression, and osteoporosis, according to Sport and Development.org
Sport plays a vital role in the formation of body muscles. There is no substitute for sports to keep the body healthy and active, a strong body boosts morale in the battle for life. Sports also adds power to the mindsets for success. We know that staying active is one of the best ways to keep our bodies healthy. But did you know it can also improve your overall well-being and quality of life?
Here are just a few of the ways physical activity can help you feel better, look better and live better:
- It’s a natural mood lifter – Regular physical activity can relieve stress, anxiety, depression, and anger. You know that “feel good sensation” you get after doing something physical!
- It keeps you physically fit and able – Without regular activity, your body slowly loses its strength, stamina, and ability to function properly. It’s like the old saying “you don’t stop moving from growing old, you grow old from stopping moving”. Exercise increases muscle strength, which in turn increases your ability to do other physical activities.
- It helps keep the doctor away – Stand up when you eat your apple a day! Too much sitting and other sedentary activities can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. One study showed that adults who watch more than 4 hours of television a day had an 80% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
Being more active can benefit your overall Health and Well-being
The top 5 benefits include:
- Heart disease prevention
- Healthy weight management
- Boosting your immune system
- Improved dexterity and injury prevention
- Reduces blood sugar levels.
Being more active can also help to:
- Lower your blood pressure
- Boost your levels of good cholesterol and lower your blood cholesterol level
- Improve blood flow (circulation)
- Keep your weight under control
- Reduce risk of a heart attack
- Prevent bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis
- Lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers
Here are some other benefits you may get with regular physical activity:
- Helps you quit smoking and stay tobacco-free.
- Boosts your energy levels so you can get more done
- Helps you manage stress and tension
- Promotes a positive attitude and outlook
- Helps you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly
- Improves your self-image and self-confidence
- Helps you spend more time outdoors
All of this can add up to fewer medical expenses, interventions and medications later in life as well as helping you to live longer. It’s true, 70 is the new 60… but only if you’re healthy. People who are physically active and at a healthy weight live on average seven years longer than those who are not active and are obese. And the important part is that those extra years are generally healthier years! Staying active helps delay or prevent chronic illnesses and diseases associated with aging so active adults maintain their quality of life and independence longer.
County Community Trust are committed to improving the health and well-being of people of all ages and abilities across Stockport and the surrounding area and reducing health inequalities.
For further information please contact our Health & Well-Being Manager Adrian Rigby-Bates at [email protected]
