The Department of Health’s Self Care Steering Group has joined forces with the Isle of Man Football Association and the National Sports Centre (NSC) to host an over 50’s walking football event. The matches, which will run on Monday 18 November 2013 at the NSC’s main sports hall between 11:00am and 1:00pm have been organised to ‘kick off’ this year’s Self Care Week.
Norman Kneen, a lay representative for the Department of Health’s Self Care Steering Group and a keen member of the Isle of Man Football Association, came up with the unique idea of holding a walking football competition as a way of launching the annual Self Care Week awareness campaign on the Island. The event is being led by Lewis Qualtrough, Football Development Officer for the Island, along with Hannah May, Physical Activities on Referral Coordinator and Ann Corkill, Senior Nurse for Self-care.
Self Care Week, which this year runs from 18 to 22 November, aims to encourage everyone to learn more about the actions they can take to practice self-care and self-management; from daily activities such as brushing your teeth, to keeping as active as possible, and living and coping well with a long term health condition such as arthritis, Parkinson’s Disease or asthma. A key element locally in enabling people to learn more about self-care has been the development of the Health-e Directory, a dedicated online resource for self-care which is available on the Government website.
Long term or ‘chronic’ health conditions are on the increase, and it is estimated that around six out of 10 adults report some form of long term health condition at some stage in their lives. This figure is set to increase significantly in the coming years as a consequence of the public’s lifestyle choices such as poor diet, lack of exercise and excessive alcohol and smoking, as well as because of an increase in size of an ageing population as life expectancies continue to rise.
Mr Kneen said:
'Staying active is an important part of self-care and this can be difficult as we get older, so when I heard about walking football and how popular it was becoming in the UK it seemed like a great opportunity to bring it to the Island. We have some local ‘celebrities’ who are keen to play, however I will be keeping an eye out for any cheating as I will be refereeing during this competition!'
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK, said:
'Self Care Week is an important way of raising awareness amongst the public, and helps the Department to get the message out about the important role self-care plays in wellbeing. The concepts of self-care and ill-health prevention are fundamental to the Department’s Strategy for the Future of Health Services. Participating in physical activity, such as walking football or ‘Walk and Talk’ provides health benefits, including maintenance of good physical and mental function. The Department itself will be fielding a football team, which includes myself and the Chief Executive, along with other members of staff, to help raise awareness that self-care is everyone’s responsibility, and that staying active is an important part of wellbeing.'
The public are welcome to come along to the walking football event in the main sports hall at the NSC to show their support and to find out more about self-care. Those who would like further information on how to join in with the walking football on Monday should contact the Isle of Man Football Association on 613750.
Throughout the rest of Self Care Week, there will be poster displays at Noble’s Hospital, the NSC, Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital and across the Island in local Shoprite stores. Members of the Self Care Steering Group along with staff from many different care sectors will be on hand at the information stands to explain more about self-care. The team will be visiting the Island’s Shoprite stores on the following days and times:
- Peel Shoprite (Derby Road) – Tuesday, 19 November 11am – 2pm
- Ramsey Shoprite – Wednesday, 20 November 11am – 2pm
- Port Erin Shoprite – Thursday, 21 November 11am – 2pm
- Douglas Shoprite (Victoria Road) – Friday, 22 November 11am – 2pm.
Cath Quilliam, Head of Community Health Services, said:
'Any level of physical activity is better than none, and exercise – even if it’s gentle – remains extremely important as part of a healthy lifestyle, especially as we get older. Being active helps maintain mental and physical health, and can reduce the likelihood or impact of a range of diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. Exercise also helps to maintain a healthy weight and improves mood and self‑esteem. Self Care Week isn’t just about exercise, but exercise and a healthy diet play a fundamental role in ensuring good health and wellbeing. The week aims to raise awareness of the numerous local activities, resources, support and information that is available across the Island.'
For further information on self-care please contact:
