Page updated: 20 Dec 2010
Getting active
Being physically active is one of the best things you can do for your health. The body needs to exercise in order to burn off calories, but exercise also helps your mental health. Exercising releases endorphins, or happy hormones, which improve your mood. The more you exercise, the more endorphins will be in your system, and the better you’ll feel.
Being active doesn’t have to mean joining the gym. Just going for a brisk walk every day will get your heart pumping and will improve your overall health. As you get fitter, try walking faster between every other lamppost – little changes like this will help you burn more calories.
You can also try dancing, cycling, jogging, swimming, yoga, pilates or keep fit classes.
The Go 3 website has details of plenty of exercise classes and groups in the borough. You can search by postcode to find those nearest to you.
Please note: If you have a heart or lung condition, consult your doctor before embarking on a new exercise programme.
Trafford’s health improvement team
The purpose of the health improvement team is to develop co-ordinated programmes of health improvement activity within Trafford.
The following programmes are implemented by the health improvement team. More information on programmes is available by contacting the named lead.
Strong hearts groups
Strong hearts is a programme of community based exercise groups, aimed at people who have had hospital treatment for heart disease.
Contact: Susie Jones on 0161 873 6003.
Health walks
According to findings from the 2003 Health Survey for England, 81% of men and 87% of women aged 55 years and over do not reach the recommended levels of physical activity to benefit health. A series of doorstep health walks are available across Trafford.
Health Walk volunteer leader training is available for any one wishing to become a health walk leader.
Contact: Heather Kozer on 0161 912 3140.
Stop smoking service
Services are available throughout Trafford to support people who want to give up smoking. All help is free of charge and can be offered on a one-to-one level or group basis.
Contact: Kerry Briggs on 0161 873 6078.
Healthy Hips and Hearts is a peer education exercise programme designed to prevent falls in the over 65s. The programme also incorporates accident prevention awareness.
Contact: Kelly Godwin on 0161 873 6004.
Healthy School Scheme
This project aims to support schools in promoting the health of the whole school community. Schools receive guidance, training and support to enable them to meet set criteria and work towards a Healthy School Award.
Contact: Helen Hyndman on 0161 873 6007.
Resources and information library
The resources and information library has a range of leaflets, posters, training packs and videos.
Contact: 0161 212 4944.
For more information regarding the health improvement team, please contact
Helen Darlington. Click on Helen's name to e-mail her, or telephone 0161 873 6036.
Trafford 2012
The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to get the nation moving and when the flames arrive, Trafford will need to be ready.
As Trafford will be a host venue for the Games, with football at being held at MUFC, the Olympics has the power to positively impact upon every adult and child in Trafford in the run up to and in the years following the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
There is an aspiration to get two million people in the UK more active by 2012. It is our firm intention that everyone in Trafford, regardless of disability, race, gender, socio-economic background or health status will be involved.
The 2012 Games has the potential to bring people and communities together, to inspire, and to motivate the Trafford population to become healthier and more physically active.
Now is the time to demonstrate our commitment to create a health and wellbeing legacy from the 2012 games. The games can be a much needed catalyst to put physical activity for Trafford people in the starting blocks.
Local events between now and July 2012 will capture people’s imagination and inspire them to get involved.
For more information visit www.nwbeinspired.com.