Physical Activity Referral Scheme
Get MEActive with our Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS), designed to help you manage your chronic conditions.
What is the Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS)?
Delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), and Council, PARS is a physical programme that will last 12 weeks.
Using prescribed physical activity, PARS will support referred clients with managing their chronic conditions.
What Can You Expect from PARS?
This physical programme will include the following:
- An initial consultation with a specialised exercise instructor
- Gym induction
- Reviews every four weeks to track your progress
- 12-week free membership to use the gym andswimming pool
- Reduced monthly membership fee after completingthe scheme
Who Can Join PARS?
You must be referred to PARS by your General Practitioner (GP), your physiotherapist, or your nurse.
You must also have no condition that makes exercise a risk, and:
- be 19-years-old or over
- be inactive (you do less than 150 minutes ofmoderate activity and 75 minutes of vigorousactivity a week)
- be motivated to change; and
- have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of between 25 –40kg/m2
You may also have at least one of the following chronic conditions:
- Hypertension
- Hyperlipidaemia
- Impaired glucose levels or diabetes
- Family history of heart disease
- Asthma, bronchitis, or Chronic ObstructivePulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Mild or moderate mental health conditions
How Can Physical Activity Help You Manage Your Condition?
Physical activity will:
- help you control your weight
- help you manage painful conditions
- help prevent or reduce osteoporosis
- lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- help you feel more confident and energetic
- promote mental well-being
- reduce the risk of heart disease
- reduce the risk of developing cancer; and
- reduce the risk of developing, or help manage, Type2 diabetes
For more information, contact our Physical Activity Referral Co-ordinators:
Carrickfergus Ampitheatre
E: gemma.brown@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Larne Leisure Centre
E: john.grant@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Ballymena Seven Towers Leisure Centre
E: peter.gregg@midandeastantrim.gov.uk