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Health Defence Scotland x Walking Football Scotland

 

Healthy Goals

Keeping active is one of the best things that you can do to improve your physical, mental and social wellbeing. People who do regular physical activity can reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke. With this in mind, the value of taking part in walking football cannot be understated.

As an organisation, CHSS are committed to making sure that as many people as possible, living with and at risk of developing a chest, heart or stroke condition are supported to stay active and make healthier lifestyle choices. This is why, in June 2023, we developed a partnership with Walking Football Scotland.

The partnership is a perfect fit for the demographics, ages and generations we’re looking to support. In addition, this partnership showcases what both CHSS and Walking Football Scotland can do and how we can use walking football as the vehicle for improving lives and health.

To support our joint aims and objectives, the CHSS Health Defence team are looking to deliver health prevention services to your walking football club. This page explains what health prevention services we can offer to your football club, provides more information about the delivery methods, and answers any questions you may have before contacting us.

Together, we will ensure that nobody has a life half lived through developing or worsening of one of our health conditions.

Health prevention services

We can provide sessions in person at your Walking Football Club or online where you can learn more about health improving strategies from the comfort of your home.

The CHSS Health Defence team will respond to your request within 5 working days and contact the named club representative to confirm details and support delivery of the requested services.

In person

We can deliver services at your Walking Football Club or at a suitable venue.

We can deliver:

  • Blood pressure checks because high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
  • Peer reviewed health information guides and information relating to our other CHSS services like Adviceline, Physical Activity and Community Support groups.
  • Lifestyle advice. We are free to discuss healthy nutrition ideas, physical activity and the benefits of participation, sleep and other general health determinants like smoking and alcohol intake.

Online

We have a package of interesting and educational online resources.

We can deliver:

  • Healthy nutrition (1 hour) Learn more about healthy eating, how much sugar, salt and saturated fat your body needs and find out how to make healthier choices to promote long term health.
  • Reducing the Risks/ Lifestyle Management (1 hour) Designed to raise awareness of strategies to reduce the risk of developing one of our health conditions. This presentation explains a way of living that focuses on daily habits like diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management. We use visuals to cover key aspects like balanced nutrition, physical activity (walking, exercise), rest, and avoiding smoking/excess alcohol for overall physical and mental well-being.
  • Learn to Measure and Interpret Blood Pressure (60-90 minutes) Designed to teach Walking Football Scotland members how to measure their blood pressure correctly, this online session aims to teach individuals how to take accurate blood pressure readings and how to interpret the results. We will also provide some advice on how to make health changes if required.

What CHSS will provide on the day

  • CHSS will provide suitably qualified staff.
  • Advertising.
  • Quality-controlled health testing equipment.

Support required from WFS Team

  • The host club will be required to provide an accessible indoor space with reasonable privacy to deliver the health assessments.
  • We will require a table and two or three chairs for service users during their health assessments.
  • Advertise our services to club members and take a register of interest in advance which allows us to evaluate staffing resources/demand on the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can we have our blood pressure checked?

This can only be provided before exercise or at least 30 minutes after exercise. This is due to the bodies response to exercise which promotes a rise in blood pressure and heart rate. A blood pressure reading taken within 30 minutes of exercise will be inaccurate.

Players should not be warming up prior to getting their blood pressure measured.

How long does a blood pressure check take?

A clinically appropriate blood pressure reading takes approximately 10 minutes per person, depending on the reading. This can take longer if an individual presents with a concerning blood pressure reading.

How long does an in person visit to a club take?

This can vary according to the number of people who wish to have their blood pressure checked and engage with our health information stall.

Can you provide more than one session?

Yes, for clubs located around central Scotland this is acceptable.

Understandably, the further away the venue is, the more consideration to event planning will be required.

Can you provide services at the weekend?

Yes, we will do everything we can to provide our services to your club.

There may however be occasions when we need to seek an arrangement that suits both organisations to accommodate staff capacity.

Can you provide follow-up for any team members?

Yes, we are duty bound to follow-up with any walking football team member who has a concerning blood pressure reading or would like to discuss more aspects of their health with us. This can be delivered by telephone, online or in person.

Book your session

We’re here to help

If you need further support to help you manage your health condition and live life to the full, we have a range of services to support you.

Call our Advice Line team on 0808 801 0899 for free, confidential support and advice. No worry is too big or too small.

Get one-to-one support from our Community Support team, giving you the physical and emotional help you need to recover well at home.

Join one of our 100+ CHSS-partnered Peer Support Groups across Scotland to get support, socialise and meet people who understand what you’re going through.

“It’s been really helpful and it’s good to meet other people in the same situation.”

Just ask Robert

Staying fit and active has been Robert’s goal since he suffered a heart attack and stroke almost five years.

The 70-year-old, who lives in Glasgow, had to undergo a triple heart bypass, then spent almost four months in hospital.

Left with mobility issues on his left leg, Robert joined the gym at the city’s Kelvin Hall to recover his fitness. Then, one of the gym instructors told him about our physical activity sessions at the Maryhill Hub.

The sessions, part of our Movement Matters Programme, are there to support people to get active. Designed for people who have a chest, heart, stroke or Long Covid condition, the sessions range in intensity from chair to circuit-based activity.

Robert says:

“My left leg has given me problems since the stroke, so I was going to the gym to keep mobile because I didn’t want to seize up. I do a bit of cycling and rowing on the gym equipment.

“I had no idea the hub was even there until one of the girls at the Kelvin Hall suggested it to me. Now I’m going to the hub on a Tuesday and doing an extension of what I’ve been doing at the gym.

It’s been really helpful and it’s good to meet other people in the same situation.

“I was four months in Gartnavel Hospital. It was a long slog. I knew I had to keep active, so that’s why I went to the Kelvin Hall. I’m never going to run a marathon, but I’m still able to move and CHSS are helping me stay that way.”

Get in touch

 

Book your session now by completing our short form.

The CHSS Health Defence team will respond to your request within 5 working days and contact the named club representative to confirm details and support delivery of the requested services.

Want to find out more? Get in touch with our friendly Advice Line team today.

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