‘Yesterday’s Children’ striding to good health today

The ‘Clann an Là Dè’ (Yesterday’s Children) older people’s group from Shawbost, Lewis, had a good natter with Karen Peteranna, NHS Western Isles Health Improvement Practitioner, recently about opportunities for physical activity and the challenges to being physically active.

Physical active can have many benefits to your health, improve your sleep, help maintain a healthy weight and manage stress. 

Walking is a simple way to increase activity – you can start off small and increase your pace and distance over time. Undertaking strength and balance exercises on at least two days per week can help older adults stay active and independent in everyday life and reduce the risk of falls. 

NHSWI Health Improvement Practitioner Karen shared information with the group on the ‘Walk on Hebrides’ walking projects plans, including Walk Leader training on the Westside of Lewis in the New Year and the creation of new local Health Walks. 

The group was supportive of these developments and expressed interest in travelling to Health Walks across the islands. 

Karen said: “It was really great to hear that one member of the group had an interested in becoming an active Walk Leader after undertaking the training a few years ago; and I look forward to supporting them.”

Dan Morrison, Energy Services Director, and Kirsty Macleod, Senior Fuel Poverty Officer, from Tighean Innse Gall (TIG) also joined the group and provided information on their energy advisory service, insulation service, home safety and TIG Switch which helps people get the best tariff for their energy usage.

If you would like more information on local Health Walks, strength and balance exercises or training – including Walk Leader training course due to take place in the Carloway area in the New Year – please contact: Karen Peteranna, NHS Western Isles, Health Improvement Practitioner. Email: karen.peteranna@nhs.net  Phone: 01851 762016