An Active Approach to Health

The Active Health Project aims to assist sedentary patients to increase their physical activity levels using Link Workers (LWs) from a social enterprise in the Scottish Highlands. The value of non-clinical based health interventions and social prescribing is increasingly recognised. Exercise groups, outdoor activities, art therapies and peer support are all proving popular in ‘treating’ both mental health conditions and addressing sedentary lifestyles. However, GPs and other primary care health professionals do not have capacity to undertake the required assessment and ‘signposting’. Based in four Highland GP practices, the LWs are employed by Velocity, an Inverness-based social enterprise promoting cycling as a way of helping people adopt healthier lifestyles, encourage ustainable travel and improve mental wellbeing. Health professionals refer patients to the LWs, who then help them develop an activity plan with targets tailored to individual needs, preferences and levels of self-confidence.