'Get moving' - Walking football launched for South Tynesiders with long-term health conditions
‘We have wanted to do this for some time in South Tyneside.’
A walking football class has been launched to get people with long-term health conditions moving in South Tyneside.
The session, set up by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT), is run and funded by Sunderland AFC’s charitable arm Foundation of Light and hosted at Temple Park Centre in South Shields.
People with respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma, cardiac conditions and diabetes are invited to join. But the events are open to anyone, men and women.
The idea backs the NHS 10 Year Health Plan. It is based in the community and aims to prevent ill health. The walking football meet-up is thought to be the only one in the borough specifically for those with long-term health conditions.
A total of 25 people can play in the match, which lasts around an hour, with time allowed for people can have a quick breather and a drink if necessary.
Simone Rowlands of STSFT, said: “We have wanted to do this for some time in South Tyneside and we are delighted the Foundation of Light has worked with us to run it.
“We both share a passion to improve health and help get people more active, so I want to take this chance to thank the Foundation for teaming up to get this going.
“As a Trust, we already run classes to help our patients who have had cardiac or have respiratory conditions. This supports their recovery and rehabilitation.
“But these sessions are also for those who want to get up out of their chair and get moving a bit more.
“It’s at a low level, so they don’t need to worry about not being fast or that it will be too difficult for them.
John Woodhouse, 64, from Jarrow, continues to work on his recovery following a heart attack four years ago.
He said: “The walking football sessions are really enjoyable and fun, which makes it better than usual fitness classes.
“It’s also the fact that the others there are in the same position as you. Because you’re in that same boat, you don’t feel totally alien around each other.”
A session costs £2 and parking charges now apply at Temple Park Centre.