New Year prompts collective health drive

Residents are being encouraged to get fit in the New Year, thanks to a collaborative venture between Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Sheffield, NHS Sheffield and Sheffield City Council. Funded by the NHS R&D Health Technology Assessment Programme and launched this month, `Booster´ is a new project which aims to promote fitness and help Sheffield residents get up and about by using a free interactive DVD which provides tailored physical activity advice. Over the coming months, the project team, which includes clinicians, exercise scientists and researchers, will be writing to people aged 40-64 across the city offering them a copy of the DVD. However, instead of working like an exercise regime, the DVD focuses on how to make active choices and changes, featuring real local people, local opportunities and facilities around Sheffield. Produced exclusively for this project by exercise scientists at Sheffield Hallam University, it uses techniques proven to help people change behaviour and become more active and offers a choice of different types of advice and information to suit people whatever their current activity level. The DVD, which will only be available by returning the postage paid reply card included with the invite letter, will also be accompanied by information about opportunities to be active in the local community. The team are hoping that the project, which has already been piloted amongst residents of High Green in north Sheffield, will help residents beat the bulge and improve their general health and fitness in the New Year.